Teaching Love

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Teaching-Love.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 13:11-14   I.         I received a complaint several years ago. After reading an article on why sex outside of marriage is sin, the reader complained, “I wish you guys would pay more attention to the golden rule, ‘love thy neighbor,’ than all the homophobic and ‘sex is sin’ stuff.”…

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Sins I Do Not See

by Whit Sasser A line of a Christian hymn reads… “Forgive the secret sins I do not see.” The mercy of our God is so great in the forgiveness He grants for sins we are unaware of…the sins we do not even see. Wow! There are sins I do not see due to ignorance…I didn’t…

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My Personal Insult to God

by Pieter Yoshua Perhaps my understanding will change in the future or I could be wrong, but I want to write this criticism for myself and perhaps it will cause you to think as well. I thought that it is possible for me to be a Christian while living in a way that was insulting God.…

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Not Ashamed to Sin, but Ashamed to Repent

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Not-Ashamed-to-Sin-But-Ashamed-to-Repent.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 9:4-19   I.         In Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe left home to be a sailor against the wishes of his parents. He soon came to regret his decision, but he would not return home because he did not want to admit that he made a mistake. He…

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The Purpose of Fear

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/The-Purpose-of-Fear.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Lamentations 3:39-66   I.         It started out as an observation in Bible class: “Temptation comes because fear is removed.”             A.        How true that is!             B.        God had warned that death would come if the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was eaten – Genesis 2:16-17                         1.         But Satan…

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A Soul Set Free

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/A-Soul-Set-Free.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 32   I.         Every person is guilty of sin – Romans 3:10-23             A.        Therefore, we all need forgiveness from God                         1.         It is found in Jesus Christ – I John 2:1; Ephesians 1:7             B.        Only with forgiveness can we enter into God’s presence – Revelation 21:27 II.        How blessed is a forgiven man…

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How do we know if God is giving us a disease because of our sins?

Question: In Psalms 38, David tells of his physical pains produced by sin and highly suggests that God is behind his sickness due to his sin. Do we really know when and if God gives us a disease because of our sin? Do we really know how He works regarding disease and sin? Answer: One of…

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Does Colossians 3:2 teach that it is a sin to think about sin?

Question: Is it a sin to think about sin? I read your article about this subject but what about Colossians 3:2? Does it say that it’s a sin to think about sin? Answer: “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand…

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Is Satan winning?

Question: I have a question: Is Satan winning? The world is so terrible. Sin is everywhere. Faithful Christians are a drop in the bucket compared to the population. Isn’t this exactly what Satan wants is for all of these people to go to hell and that’s where most people go? “Few” will make it to…

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How does a new Christian deal with problems in the church?

Question: Dear Jeffrey, I really love and enjoy reading most of your articles and Q&As. It has guided me to answer some of the dilemmas I faced as a young Christian. I came to the Lord’s church as a truth seeker and made my way to find a local congregation that follows the New Testament…

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They that Mourn

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/They-that-Mourn.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-6   I.         Some statements in the Bible present a paradox – seemingly conflicting ideas that are both true.             A.        Such is present in Matthew 5:4                         1.         To be blessed is to be given cause to be happy.                         2.         To mourn is to be sad II.        Jesus was not talking about every person…

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Is Satan the source of all evil?

Question: Hey Mr. Jeffrey, Is every single evil ideology, false teaching and deceptive doctrine that is against God derived in some form or fashion from Satan? I noticed the Spirit says many will follow after the doctrine of demons in I Timothy 4. It got me thinking Answer: Since Satan is the one who originally…

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Freedom

by Doy Moyer “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (I Peter 2:16). Photo by ellehem on Unsplash If we really wish to honor freedom, then we will seek to live as servants of God. We cannot expect that God will…

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I don’t seem to be improving. What can I do?

Question: Hello, I’ve been a Christian for about twenty years now and am a member of the church of Christ. I would appreciate if you could answer some questions and help me with some issues I am having. I’ve been examining myself lately, and I realize that I am a lukewarm Christian, at best. A…

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Does my parents’ adultery affect me?

Question: Hello, I am a faithful Christian and try to the best of my ability to follow the teachings of Christ. But unfortunately, my parents are atheists, and they had me while committing the sin of adultery. Does their sin have any repercussions on me, and if yes, what should I do? Answer: When Israel…

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Can someone be forgiven if he purposely sins?

Question: My friend lost his virginity because he wanted to. The person he did it with had already done it a couple of times. He felt really bad because he is a Christian. Can God forgive him if he confesses to a priest? Answer: Confession to a priest is a Catholic practice. It is not…

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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…

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These 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,…

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What 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…

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I 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…

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Does 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…

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It’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…

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Am 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…

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A 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…

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How 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…

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How 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…

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Made 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…

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The Nature of Law (Sermon)

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…

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Bearing 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…

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Why 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…

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Do 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,…

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Are 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…

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I 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…

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Rituals 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…

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Desensitized to Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DesensitizedToSin.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Are 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.”…

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Muddy 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…

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