Posts Tagged ‘sin’
Using Love as an Excuse
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/UsingLoveAsAnExcuse.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Corinthians 13:4-7 I. Love is a wonderful attitude A. God is love and we should imitate our Father – I John 4:16 B. But people pervert what love ought to be and use a claim of “love” as a cover for permitting sin II. Love as an excuse to do wrong…
Read MoreThese Are Our Times
by Doy Moyer Abusive. Heartless. Brutal. Slanderous. Reckless (read II Timothy 3:1-5). These are our times. These are times in which people will brutally kill a child in the womb, then slander and curse those who would oppose it. These are times in which people will be reckless in behavior, crude toward those who differ,…
Read MoreWhat does covering sin mean?
Question: Hi, This may be a silly question, but I just want clarification on the difference between having a multitude of sins covered and hidden. What is the difference between “charity covering a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8) and “converting a sinner and having a multitude of sins hidden” (James 5:20). Answer: The King…
Read MoreI Have to Die to Get Better
by Doy Moyer Have you ever felt that way? You feel so sick that you about wish you’d go ahead and die so that you’d feel better? We even say that as a bit of a joke (or maybe not). Of course, at the time that we feel so bad, we do wish for pretty…
Read MoreDoes God have empathy with His children when they make mistakes?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Does God have empathy for His children if they make mistakes or if they’re growing slowly, or does He just want us to be mature and not make any mistakes at all right off the bat? If a child of God desires to grow but allows distractions and other things to…
Read MoreIt’s Not Fair!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ItsNotFair.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 I. Parents of school-age children soon hear the argument, “But everyone else gets to. It’s not fair that I’m the only one who can’t.” A. The topic varies with the age of the child, but it ranges from a purchase of an item that you can’t afford or…
Read MoreAm I removed from the Book of Life each time I sin?
Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, How can we know we’re in the Book of Life? What if I commit a sin (drive over the speed limit, think an evil thought, etc.)? Is my name erased from the Book of Life? How does one get into and stay in the Book of Life? Answer: “But you have…
Read MoreWill my Hindu grandparents go to heaven if they don’t follow Christianity?
Question: My grandparents are Hindu and very religious. They pray every day for 30 minutes and on the weekends they go to their church and stay there for hours. They are good-hearted, kind people. But can they still go to heaven if they don’t follow Christianity? It’s not like they don’t believe in Jesus, they…
Read MoreA Godly View of Sin
by Sewell Hall “What happened to sin?” This question, occasionally asked these days, can be answered with another question: “Whatever happened to God?” When people lose sight of God, sin cannot be far behind. The World’s View of Sin Worldly people usually have in mind some vague definition of sin. In their view murder is…
Read MoreHow can we know Jesus forgives mortal sins we are traumatized over?
Question: Hi, I’m just enquiring if you can help me. I read comments about sin on your site. My question is: How can we know Jesus forgives mortal sins we are traumatized over? Answer: The Roman Catholic church uses the term “mortal sins,” instead of just saying “sins.” Even though the Roman Catholic religion makes…
Read MoreHow do we deal with erring brethren?
Question: I’m looking for clarity on “liberal church associations.” If I’m a conservative (non-institutional) brother, am I to fellowship with those who worship in a liberal church? Here is my view and please correct me if I’m in error. As a Christian, I believe that outside of a worship setting it is alright to fellowship…
Read MoreMade to be Sin
by Doy Moyer Sometimes I am struck with the beauty of a passage while, at the same time, humbled by the fact that its fullness and depth are out of my reach. The passage becomes a never-ending source of thought, ideas, and encouragement. Such is the case for me with II Corinthians 5:21 — “For…
Read MoreThe Nature of Law
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NatureOfLaw.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-14 I. Laws can be irritating at times. A. Do this, don’t do that. B. Of course, we never get it right. C. Why do we need laws? II. Law defines right and wrong – Romans 7:7-13 A. The law does not make things right or wrong, it simply states what exists. 1. We…
Read MoreBearing Sins
by Doy Moyer I was reading in Matthew and this caught my attention and my mind began to chase the rabbit down the hole. Maybe others have made this point: “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who…
Read MoreDoes Jesus’ blood continually cleanse us from all sin?
Question: The Bible says we will give an account of our life and sin, but God washes away our sins at baptism and the blood of Christ continually cleanses. He forgives us and remembers no more, so is there judgment where our sin is remembered, or are we as white as snow because of Jesus’…
Read MoreIs getting pregnant by artificial insemination when you are not married a sin?
Question: When I was in my thirties and no man would marry me, I had twins by sperm donation. There wasn’t any sexual sin involved in the conception, if that matters. I personally don’t think it does, but you would know better than me. Anyway, I know that isn’t what the Bible says is the…
Read MoreWhy do people seem happy living in sin?
Question: Dear brother, I write this to you ashamed, but I have to admit how I feel. I have been a Christian for many years now; however, I have struggled with sin in my life constantly. I feel as though it all stems from a rebellious attitude inside of me. It seems like the only…
Read MoreMy Sin Is Always Before Me
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MySinIsAlwaysBeforeMe.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ezra 9 I. God is Holy, but we fall short A. Sin is not a part of the nature of God – I John 1:5 B. To be in fellowship with God, we also must without sin – I John 1:6-7 1. But notice that God is not expecting perfection from us…
Read MoreDo preachers struggle with sin?
Question: Hey Jeffrey, I know as a Christian, we are to do our best to abstain from sin at all costs. I also realize no man, except Jesus, is perfect. I have befriended my preacher, and he speaks as if he and his family are living in a glass house, all eyes are on them,…
Read MoreAre wet dreams sinful?
Question: On the site, I read “My wife no longer has a desire for sex. What do I do?” which says something about nocturnal emissions. I never heard of the word, so I looked it up, and it said something about wet dreams. The truth is wet dreams are very sinful. How can that be…
Read MoreI repented, but I kept sinning
Question: I knew my sin was wrong. I kept doing it, and ‘repenting’ almost every day, but planned on doing the same sexual sin the next day. God was calling me to repent. I finally tried to stop sinning and came to Him. He forgave me, and I was born again. I wanted to praise…
Read MoreRituals Don’t Cancel Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/RitualsDontCancelSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 58:1-14 I. Men get into their minds that they need to make God listen to them A. Like a child holding his breath, they believe that if they suffer, then God will listen B. There were false religions based on self-inflicted pain to gain their god’s attention – I Kings…
Read MoreDesensitized to Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DesensitizedToSin.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreAre We Condemning Those Who Never Heard the Gospel?
by Matthew W. Bassford I received the following question: “I heard one yesterday I’ve been pondering. The man said that unless you believe in God you will be lost. So what about all those people who have never had the opportunity? I have him some answers but I’d be interested to hear what you think.”…
Read MoreMuddy Times
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/MuddyTimes.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 40 I. Psalms 38-40 cover related themes on the problems caused by sin A. Sin is an overwhelming burden and they cause problems in life – Psalms 38:3-8 B. Sin can cause anxiety – Psalms 38:18 C. Even close friends and family tend to avoid you when you are in sin…
Read MoreBetter Than Our Unrighteousness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/BetterThanOurUnrighteousness.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWill sinners physically burn in hell?
Question: The Bible says after the judgment we who have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior will see eternal life, but those who did not will go and burn forever. I want to know what is that going to burn. Is it the spirit or the flesh? Answer: I don’t know that I…
Read MoreWhy is sin still our fault?
Question: Hello, I have something to ask that’s been a big question for me. I don’t understand things the way I ought to. All have sinned. Can you help me reconcile the fact that it’s impossible to never sin, but sin is still our fault? I know factually that God is not to blame, but…
Read MoreMisconceptions about Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/MisconceptionsAboutSin.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 6:1-23 I. A young man was trying to formulate arguments why he thought “once saved, always saved” was a biblical truth A. “Once a person is saved, however, and God writes his name in the book of life and gives him the Spirit, he won’t erase their name from…
Read MoreAs an Ox Led to the Slaughter
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AsAnOxLedToTheSlaughter.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 7:6-23 I. When we describe the character of a person, we will sometimes compare them to an animal who exhibits similar traits. A. Boy who just had an encounter with a mud puddle will be greeted at the door with “You’re as dirty as a pig!” B. You might be…
Read MoreCould you explain “continual cleansing?”
Question: Could you explain “continual cleansing?” Answer: Continual cleansing is the concept that Christians are Teflon-coated, so sins don’t stick them; instead, the blood of Christ continually cleanses them of all sins, even if they don’t ask for forgiveness. It is based on a misunderstanding of I John 1. “This is the message which we…
Read MoreAre all addictions sinful?
Question: Hi, I’m still confused about I Corinthians 6:12, where it says, “I will not be enslaved by anything.” To me, it sounds like all addictions are sinful. I know we talked about this, but I’m still confused. Answer: In I Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul gave a list of some sins that can keep a person…
Read MoreCan I be filled with the Spirit when I have a sinful past?
Question: Hi, good morning, I was looking for a particular topic online when I came across your page where you were giving advice about fornication, etc. However, I’m 21 years old, baptized at 11 years old, changed churches, and I’m now at my present church for several years now; anyways, I’ve been engaging in sexual…
Read MoreIs all sin premeditated?
Question: Is all sin premeditated? Answer: I was intrigued by your question. I am not sure what you exactly mean by premeditated and what boundaries to go by, but in the Bible, there are sins mentioned that people don’t realize what they are doing. There are also other sins where people just were not given…
Read MoreJustifying Sin
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/JustifyingSin.mp3 by Alan Feaster
Read MoreWorldliness
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Worldliness.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 2:1-10 I. From the beginning, Christians have struggled with living in a world of sin without being a part of that world. A. Paul’s struggle – Romans 7:14-25 B. Some would take Paul’s words and say that as long as I intend to please God, it doesn’t matter what I…
Read MoreWhy do Christians think they can sin and not go to hell?
Question: Hi sir, I am Muslim, and I have some questions. Please do not ignore them. In Pakistan, where I was brought up, I had a lot of Christian friends. I use to visit their homes and I always felt comfortable with them. I have been to their churches and always stared at the beautiful…
Read MoreDoes sin start in the heart or can we blame the influence of others?
Question: Based on Matthew 15:19 and James 1:13-15, does all sin begin in the hearts and minds of people? When thinking about a possible transgression, should we put our desires and motives under consideration? Should we blame any outside influence or are our sinful hearts the greater concern when it comes to sin? Answer: “For…
Read MoreMust we be condemned before the church for sins we have repented of?
Question: I am writing to seek for your advice on a situation I find myself in. I have been in a relationship for several months and shortly before we could inform our pastor of our planned wedding, we made a grievous error and fell into sexual sins. A child was conceived because of these sins.…
Read MoreTelling people they are sinning is ridiculous
Question: How can you tell people they are sinning when they engage in “fornication”? This is complete and utter ridiculousness. Let people do what they want without the guilt of having some mythical, non-existent, perverted, homophobic, misogynistic, megalomaniacal god controlling their lives. We are all just atoms in this complex universe; don’t pretend you have…
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