Is Sincerity All We Need?

by Jefferson David Tant A common expression I hear from time to time about religion is, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, so long as you are sincere.” Well, sincerity is not only good, but it is necessary in whatever activity in which we are engaged. This is fundamental in our family relationships, our business…

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A Heartfelt Religion

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/A-Heartfelt-Religion.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

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Is Sincerity Enough?

by Jefferson David Tant A popular idea among many people when questioned about their religious beliefs is that sincerity is the final judge of what is right and wrong. So long as a person believes in Christ, whatever his practices or beliefs may be in regard to that faith, so long as he is sincere,…

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Why Did Uzzah Have to Die?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Why-Did-Uzzah-Have-to-Die.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Samuel 6:1-10   I.         David had long desired to bring the Ark of God, the very symbol of God’s presence into his capital city.             A.        With great fair-fare and many witnesses, the Ark was placed on a cart and led from it’s current site to Jerusalem.             B.        But something funny happened…

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The Point of the Prodigal Son

by Matthew W. Bassford I know that one should not have high expectations of religious memes, but the one below grinds my gears. Every time I saw it, I rolled my eyes a little bit harder, until I knew that either I’d have to write about it, or my eyes would get stuck that way…

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Remember Shiloh

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/RememberShiloh.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 7:1-15   I.         Around the country we have many memorials and historical sites established to remind us of our victories. Yet, we keep several sites to remind us of our losses.             A.        I was able to see the Alamo in San Antonio. Only the mission still stands, but it is…

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“May I?” or “Must I?”

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MayIOrMustI.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 4:1-12 I.         Romans 15:4             A.        As we read through our Bibles, it doesn’t take long notice how differently the Old Law is presented in comparison to the New Law.                         1.         The Old Law contains many regulations that spell out, some times in detail, what a person could and could not do.…

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With All Your Heart

With All Your Heart – Part 1With All Your Heart – Part 2 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalm 119:9-16   I.         It is frequently stated that the difference between the Old and New Testaments is that the Old emphasizes the physical and the New the spiritual             A.        In part, it comes from passages like                         1.         Romans 2:28-29…

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God Knows My Heart

by Marilyn LaStrape Those of us who have evangelistic courage for the lost and continuing concern for the unfaithful probably have heard the title of this article in defense of their lifestyle choices. When questioned or challenged about accountability, God “knowing their hearts” is often the response. “I know I need to change my life,…

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How do I know my repentance is genuine?

Question: I have doubts about repentance. I suffer from depression. At times I feel really sad, at times I feel really angry, but at times I feel nothing — not sad, not happy or angry, just, an empty room. So I hope that what I’m going to tell you is caused by depression. My boyfriend…

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How can I come across as sincere in my apologies?

Question: It seems that when I apologize to people, they refuse to accept. I understand that the majority of apologies come across as insincere. If this is the case, how can I be sincere in my apologies to people? Answer: An apology is an expression of regret for having done something that should not be done. So…

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Disciple or Dabbler?

by Jim Ward via Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 57, No. 3, October 2007 In his book, Basic Christianity, John Stott wrote, “The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict half-built towers. The ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. Thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake…

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