Posts Tagged ‘teaching’
Reaching the Lost
by David Dann Most people are lost. “Few” are headed in the right direction in contrast to the “many” who are bound for destruction (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV). They are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1) and are “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the…
Read MoreCompassion for the Lost in This World
by Doy Moyer With so much turmoil in the world, so much chaos and confusion, we should be reminded of how disciples should think of and respond to the world. This passage in Matthew 9:36-38 captures a very important principle. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and…
Read MoreSometimes It Is Not Enough!
by Aubrey Belue One of the earliest jobs my dad had was teaching school – he began while still in his teens, at a one-room school in upstate Mississippi. Some of his students in the higher grades were as old and as big as he was, and more than once, he maintained discipline with the…
Read MoreA girl I’ve been talking to is starting to believe in Jesus. What do I do now?
Question: Hi, I am a Christian who came from a Hindu family and believe in Jesus Christ. I have a friend at my workplace. She is Hindu, and I wish to marry her. I introduced Jesus to her. She has now begun to secretly believe in him, and she has started reading the Bible. What…
Read MoreNot Teach?
by Lester Kamp How can that be? Why should that be? We all understand that Christianity is a taught religion! People do not become Christians unless there is teaching. One of the distinctions between the covenant of Moses and the covenant of Christ is that under the new covenant “they shall be all taught of…
Read MoreReach Out and Touch Someone
by Dee Bowman It may well be that the besetting sin of modern-day discipleship is its failure to procreate itself. Speed has been so aggrandized in our society that it has become necessary that whatever we do, we must do in a hurry. We seem to be possessed with a determination to succeed more than…
Read MoreEquipping the Saints
by Floyd Chappelear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 1, 31 March 1992 Were one to try to identify the single most important imperative for the gospel preacher, one might choose II Timothy 4:5: “do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Doing such work so that one can make full proof…
Read MoreGood Things Happen When We Teach the Lost
by Roger D. Campbell What child of God would not agree that it is “good” to teach the Gospel to those who are lost outside of Jesus? Surely no member of the Lord’s church would be opposed to the idea of teaching the lost. The “glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:15) is God’s message…
Read MoreWhat Is Doctrine?
by Mike Riley The word “doctrine” means “teaching”, either of an individual or a group. But from what source? For example, Jesus warned His disciples about the “doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:12). Their “doctrine” or teaching originated from an uninspired source. The people were astonished at the “teaching” or “doctrine” of Christ,…
Read MoreThe Parable of the Sower: A Reminder to Soul-Winners
by Kris Groda Although Jesus called it “the parable of the sower,” we view the parable in light of the explanation that Jesus provided (Matthew 13:18-23). The thrust seems to be about the different types of ground, which represent the differences in people; nevertheless, the seed-sower scattered seed on good soil and by the wayside.…
Read MoreEmphasizing Basics
by Roger Hillis If the Lord’s church is to survive and prosper, it must never depart from the basics of the gospel. A wise and experienced elder once told me, “I’ve never known a church to grow that didn’t emphasize the basics. If a church is struggling, they just need to get back to first…
Read MoreThe Joys of Leading a Soul to Christ
by Jeff McCrary via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 2, February 2015 “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (John…
Read MoreWhy bother teaching those in denominations?
Question: Brother Jeffrey, I’ve recently thought that when talking to people of different denominations about the truth, we do have a responsibility to a certain extent. However I also believe that in this country, particularly in the southern United States, we may not be held as highly accountable especially to people of the denominations because…
Read MoreA Comment Worth Remembering
by David Gibson Something Jeff Hogan said years ago has stuck with me. The sermon that day was on some specific sin. Jeff commented that if we don’t preach on things like that, the members will think it’s OK to do them. He was right! From time to time, we need to be reminded of…
Read MoreWhen a Loved One Is Making a Terrible Mistake
by Heath Rogers What are we to do when a loved one is making a terrible mistake? We often feel helpless as we must stand on the sidelines and watch the approaching disaster unfold before our eyes. Is there anything we can do? Does the Bible offer guidance in such situations? Jesus gives us a…
Read MoreKeep It Simple!
by Jarrod M. Jacobs The above statement is the “mantra” of a friend of mine. When it comes to preaching and teaching God’s word, he often tells me, “Keep it simple.” This sentiment was further impressed upon my mind when a sister in Christ told me, “The main problem that high school students have today…
Read MorePicking up Elijah’s Mantle
by Terry Wane Benton Elijah did what he could to keep truth alive in a generation of Israelites that forgot God’s law and were into the latest fads and popular religions of their day. Baal had become the sensation, and God’s order had become boring in the eyes of the Israelites. Elijah seemed like an…
Read MoreWhat Percentage of People Obey the Gospel?
by Ronald D. Gilbert The day of Gospel meetings is not over! Don’t give up, brethren! Your preaching and teaching may be more effective “percentage-wise” than on the day of Pentecost. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).…
Read MoreTalking About the Gospel
by Zeke Flores Have you ever tried to share the gospel with someone? Maybe your family, friends, or co-workers? If you have, you know it can be a little intimidating. If they reject it, it can be downright disappointing. But who knows what will later come from the seed you’ve planted? In his letters to…
Read MoreThe Prize
by Perry Hall “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. …
Read MoreCoercive Christianity
by Doy Moyer Christians desire to see people do what is right. We look at a society that has lost its way and wonder, with echoes of Habakkuk, how long this will continue before God acts in righteous judgment. We want to see people come to Jesus and submit to His will. Yet if we…
Read MoreThe Growth of the Church in Jerusalem
by Dudley R. Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 4, December 31, 1990 No period in the history of the Lord’s church records a greater numerical growth than the first century. There are repeated references to the reason why such phenomenal growth occurred. Men of faith claim the reason was the preaching of the apostles.…
Read MoreWhat Was so Different About His Teaching?
by David Gibson “No one ever spoke like this man!” So said the officers sent by the Pharisees to arrest Jesus, but who came back without Him. After hearing Him teach, they could not bring themselves to take Him into custody. Many people noticed Jesus’ teaching differed because He spoke with authority (Matthew 7:28-29; Mark…
Read MoreWhat Our Church Assemblies Are Designed to Do
by David Gibson When we gather on the Lord’s Day or other occasions, our assemblies have vertical and horizontal dimensions. Vertically, we raise prayers and songs of praise to God. Horizontally, we teach and encourage one another. Let’s focus on the latter. Edifying/Encouraging/Exhorting/Teaching “Let all things be done for building up” (I Corinthians 14:26), which…
Read MoreTake Heed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Take-Heed.mp3 by Jeffey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:6-16 I. The books of I and II Timothy and Titus are instruction manuals for preachers A. If you think a moment, there isn’t another role in the church that is discussed at such length 1. And this is besides the numerous comments regarding preaching that appears in the…
Read MoreLifestyle Evangelism
by Terry Wane Benton A good way to live is by the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. (Matthew 7:12) Would you want others to treat you as worthless? Don’t treat others as worthless. Would you want to be ignored and never included? Shunned? Of course not!…
Read MoreLove of the Truth
by Terry Wane Benton Everyone does not want to hear God’s word. Jesus lets each person determine their destiny and therefore lets each person pick his own interest in truth or error. He did not waste time “casting pearls before swine” (Matt.7:6). When a person reveals that they have no inclination to hear the truth…
Read MoreA Challenge
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/A-Challenge.mp3 by Raymond Wafel Download Audio
Read MoreThe Work of the Lord’s Church
by Terry Wane Benton It was not to eradicate poverty. The church had no silver and gold for the beggar in Acts 3, yet it was taking care of its own members in Acts 2. Their mission was to get to the heart of man’s problem, and that is sin. You heard that right. Sin…
Read MoreEvangelism, Converts, and Bearing Fruit
by Andy Sochor “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who…
Read MoreBe Not Dismayed
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Be-Not-Dismayed.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Jeremiah came in the worse days of Judah’s history A. Corruption was everywhere – Jeremiah 6:13-15 B. Jeremiah was told from his youth to preach the truth – Jeremiah 1:4-8 C. But that didn’t make it easy. Jeremiah was opposed most of his life 1. After a prophecy in the Temple…
Read MoreFeed My Sheep
by Terry Wane Benton Photo by Tanner Yould on Unsplash If you love Jesus, you must tend His sheep (John 21:15-17). This is what Jesus told Peter. You cannot love Jesus without caring for Jesus’ church, who are His sheep. Jesus is inseparable from His church. You cannot have one without the other. You cannot…
Read MoreExpanding the Family
by David Gibson I knew a wonderful family in Pennsylvania who lived in a big house on Flagstaff Mountain—a great place for kids. This Christian home opened its doors to those with special needs, and several of the children were adopted. For centuries, God’s family consisted of His covenant people, the descendants of Jacob. Tragically, many…
Read MoreDisciple People
by Ross Ward, Jr. “Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20…
Read MoreMercy to Enemies
by Zeke Flores “Ah, sword of Yahweh, how long will you not be quiet? Withdraw into your sheath; be at rest and stay still. How can it be quiet? Yahweh has given it a command; against Ashkelon and against the seacoast — there He has assigned it” (Jeremiah 47:6-7 LSB). While God’s judgment is certain…
Read MorePassed Values
by Zeke Flores Families with strong value systems tend to pass those values on to succeeding generations. So do families with poor value systems. It’s not the only reason, but it’s one reason why you see some families stuck in poor cycles (poverty, alcoholism, etc) and others navigating life more successfully. If you want to…
Read MoreWhy Churches Die
by Mike Riley The following are this writer’s observations over forty years as to why churches die. I’m certain that we can all relate to at least one of the categories listed below: Churches Die at the Tables of Compromise When the church fights worldly influences such as sin and false doctrine — asking no…
Read MoreEnthusiasm for Evangelism
by Bubba Garner Southside Church of Christ, 2008 I am a huge Star Wars fan. I still have all the action figures, spaceships, and accessories I got while growing up. Sometimes, I bring them down from the attic and let my kids play with them. Under close supervision, that is. But I enjoy watching other…
Read MoreSeeking a Church
by Jefferson David Tant So, you are moving to a new town, and you have various decisions to make. Where is a nice neighborhood? Are there any houses there that I can afford? Where is the nearest shopping center? How close to my job do I want to live? Is the traffic bad on the…
Read MoreThe Purpose of the Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Purpose-of-the-Church.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16 I. Have you paused to consider why the church exists? A. It appears to me that many of the problems faced by congregations stem from a lack of understanding the purpose of the church B. I looked at material from various denominations. 1. One, after getting a…
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