Posts Tagged ‘sin’
Is it alright to gamble just one time?
Question: My wife wants to play a slot machine for about 15 minutes. She wants to give any money she might win to those in our community who are needy. This does not affect our regular contributions. This will be a one time occasion. I am personally not comfortable with her doing this but she…
Read MoreIf Your Right Hand Causes You to Sin
by Terry Wane Benton Jesus talked about “causing” ourselves or others to sin, and in making His point cut deep, He showed that retaining sin is far more serious than cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye (Matthew 5:27-30). You can go to heaven without a hand or an eye, but you cannot…
Read MoreMake Me Know My End
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Make-Me-Know-My-End.mp3 Text: Psalms 39 I. Psalms 38-40 cover related themes regarding the problems caused by sin A. God has punished David because of his sin – Psalms 38:1-2 B. Between God’s punishment and the burden of the sin itself, David feels overwhelmed – Psalms 38:3-8 C. Even close friends and family avoid you when you are suffering because…
Read MoreThe Message of the Cross
I. I Corinthians 1:18-24 A. The core of salvation is the fact that Jesus died for our sins. B. The center of our hope is the knowledge that Jesus arose triumphant over death. C. Yet many are unable to understand this message. 1. The Jews wanted something else. They wanted further proof from God. 2. The Greeks thought it was silly.…
Read MoreHow do I handle an out-of-control nephew?
Question: I have a family problem I would like advice on. Several years ago, my nephew forged my mother’s name as a co-signer on some student loan documents. Throughout the years he paid very sporadically. Meanwhile, he married and had a family. He had trouble staying employed. Throughout the years my elderly mother has had…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to point out another person’s sin?
Question: I’m 17 years old and the only biblical-based Christian in my family at the moment. Hopefully, that will change soon. I know the Bible says that we must warn people of their wickedness or their blood will be on our hands ( Ezekiel 3:18-19). But must we point out obvious sin to a family…
Read MoreHow can anyone be saved if he keeps on sinning?
Question: I read messages on your website about a man saying he wanted to be saved but kept falling into sin. How can anybody be saved if a person keeps on sinning? Answer: They can’t while they remain in sin, but no one needs to continue to sin. “My little children, I am writing these…
Read MoreSoldiers of Christ Arise and Put Your Armor On
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Soldiers-of-Christ-Arise-and-Put-Your-Armor-On.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,…
Read MoreSpiritual Collateral Damage and Blessings
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spiritual-Collateral-Damage-and-Blessings.mp3 by Wayne Fancher Spiritual Collateral Damage Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.” Collateral Damage – Is a general term for deaths, injuries, or other damage on an unintended target. I. Those Closest To You Get Hurt First By Spiritual Collateral Damage Exodus 20:5 you shall…
Read MoreGod Who Makes the Broken Beautiful
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/God-Who-Makes-the-Broken-Beautiful.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. The Earth from Without Form and Void to Beautiful Genesis 1:2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made,…
Read MoreThe Parable of the Prodigal Son
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/The-Parable-of-the-Prodigal-Son.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. The Prodigal Son Leaving Was His Fault Alone Luke 15:20-21 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to…
Read MoreWhat are the consequences of breaking a vow?
Question: I made a vow to the Lord that I should die a painful death any day I do a certain thing. I have the urge to break the vow. What are the consequences of breaking such a vow? Will I be forgiven for breaking the vow? After seeking for forgiveness if the vow is…
Read MoreTeaching 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.”…
Read MoreSins 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…
Read MoreMy 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.…
Read MoreNot 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreDoes 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…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreThey 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…
Read MoreIs 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…
Read MoreFreedom
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…
Read MoreI 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…
Read MoreDoes 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…
Read MoreCan 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…
Read MoreUsing 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…
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