Posts Tagged ‘teaching’
A Tribute to Miss Bernice
by Royce Bell I’m so deeply saddened, yet rejoice in the victory, in mentioning the passing of Bernice Boyes, of Lake Elsinore CA, at 105 years. She was the single best evangelist with whom I’ve been associated in my near 50 years of preaching. Berry Kercheville worked with sister Boyes as a young preacher, and…
Read MoreThe Biblical Teacher’s Manual
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Biblical-Teachers-Manual.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreThe Words We Speak
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-Words-We-Speak.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 4:17-24 I. There is a Proverb that stands out in my mind – Proverbs 26:18-19 A. You cannot cover up lies with a claim that you were making a joke. B. We are judged by what we say, even the casual things said without much thought – Matthew 12:35-37 1. Why?…
Read MoreWays to Find the Lost
by Whit Sasser The following are some of the ways an individual can find those who are disposed of heart to become Christians; with the hope that once they hear the gospel, they will obey it, to the saving of their souls. Some of the ways require much money; some are practically cost-free. Some involve…
Read MoreWhat Is Teaching?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/What-Is-Teaching.mp3 Text: Hebrews 5:6-6:3 I. Teaching is a duty within the church A. Ephesians 4:11 – Listed with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors. B. Acts 13:1 – Antioch had prophets and teachers C. I Corinthians 12:28-29 – Listed among apostles and prophets. D. Romans 12:6-8 – Teaching is a gift to be exercised to our best ability E. Paul performed…
Read MoreUncommon Courtesy
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Uncommon-Courtesy.mp3 Text: Romans 15:1-6 I. Sometimes I have to wonder what happened to common courtesy. The phrase needs to be changed because it seem common courtesy has become uncommon. A. Courtesy is “the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behavior toward others” 1. It comes from a French word meaning “courtly ideals; chivalry, chivalrous conduct; elegance…
Read MoreThat’s Your Interpretation!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Thats-Your-Interpretation.mp3 Text: II Peter 1:10-21 I. When you want to read a book which was written in French, but you don’t know French, what do you do? A. You find an interpretation of the French book into a language you know. B. An interpreter copies the meaning of something from one language into another language. C. But can…
Read MoreBeing Right and Wrong at the Same Time
by Matthew W. Bassford I am quite sure that God frequently shakes His head in amazement at my foolishness. However, I hope that year by year, decade by decade, I manage to get a little bit wiser. One such hard-won nugget of wisdom has to do with being right and wrong at the same time.…
Read MoreWere non-believers ever invited to assemblies?
Question: In the last couple of years, I have come to believe that the assembly is for believers. I haven’t seen any examples that non-believers were ever invited to the first of the week assembly. Have you any thoughts on the matter? Thanks. Answer: “In the Law it is written, “By men of strange tongues…
Read MoreBut He Didn’t Have to be Circumcised!
by Edwin Crozier Didn’t we just have a whole debate in Jerusalem that discovered Christians didn’t have to be circumcised? In fact, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he will brag that no one made Titus get circumcised during that meeting (Galatians 2:1-3). Yet, Paul circumcised Timothy. What’s up with that? Acts of the Apostles…
Read MoreHow do you respond when introduced to someone clearly living in a sinful relationship?
Question: Hello, I appreciate the scriptural information you share on your site and have a question. What is the best way to respond when introduced to someone who is clearly in a sinful relationship? For example, you run into two ladies at the store, one of whom you know as she works at the same…
Read MoreLet it Shine, Let it Shine, Let it Shine . . .
by Edward O. Bragwell Our title is a line from a very familiar song to little folks who participate in Bible classes. Seeing them marching around, holding the imaginary light high with one hand, is a joy. The idea ultimately goes back to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Ye are the light of the world.…
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 MoreRestoration
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Restoration.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. Restoration of Purpose, Zeal, and Love John 21:1-9 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in, Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His…
Read MoreHow to Grow as a Local Congregation
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/How-to-Grow-as-a-Local-Church.mp3 by Wayne Fancher I. Teach The Next Generations Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Joel 1:3 Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, And their children another generation. Acts 20:32 “So now,…
Read MoreA Great Evangelistic Tool
by Scott Smelser I think it works better than radio, better than autodialers, better than showings of Jule Miller videos, better than mailing out a bulletin, better than Dial-a-Bible-Reading, better than debates, better than cable TV. What is it? It’s brethren not being conformed to the world. Photo by Ben White on Unsplash If a…
Read MoreQuestions and Motivations
by Matthew W. Bassford We often don’t realize it, but one of the main themes of the gospels is the interaction between Jesus and people who ask Him questions. If we considered Jesus’ replies to those questions in isolation, His replies would seem so divergent as to be irrational. In Matthew 13:16, He calls one…
Read MoreYou’re Judging Another Person’s Salvation
By Joe R. Price May we examine a person’s personal belief about their salvation without “judging” them? More specifically, is it possible to identify an unbiblical view a person has about their salvation? Can we use the Scriptures to explain to a lost person he or she is lost? Or, are we judging that person…
Read MoreWhy Congregations Dwindle
by Connie W. Adams “Empty Pews” by Carol Von Canon on Flickr It is not uncommon to see congregations that once were large and active in the Lord’s work gradually dwindling. The natural question is, “Why?” I believe the following reasons must be considered. People moving away Sometimes workers are transferred, or lose jobs and…
Read MoreGive Attention to Reading
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Give-Attention-to-Reading.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:1-16 I. Timothy was told to give attention to reading, exhortation, and teaching (I Timothy 4:13) A. You cannot teach without knowledge about the subject you are teaching B. You cannot encourage people to go the right direction if you don’t know where you are going. C. So let’s focus…
Read MorePope Tells Christians Not to Evangelize
Source: Thomas D. Williams, PH.D., “Pope Francis Tells Christians Not to Try to Convert Nonbelievers,” Breitbart, 22 December 2019. Source: “Visit to the ‘Pilo Albertelli’ Classic High School in Rome: Dialogue of the Holy Father Francis with the Students”, Vatican Publishing House, 20 December 2019. “Pope Francis told Christian high school students this weekend they…
Read MoreDear Neighbor
Adapted from a flier sent out by the Church of Christ at Appleton, Wisconsin Are you looking for a more genuine relationship with Jesus? Do you long for a deeper sense of peace and hope in your life? Perhaps the Christians at Elm Grove can help. We don’t claim to be perfect or have all…
Read MoreOnce is Enough
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Once-Is-Enough.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Micah 2:1-5 I. I was giving a young pre-teen some instruction in Tae Kwon Do. I told her how the move was to be done, I showed her how it was done, and I explained why this method worked better. Exasperated with me, she put her hands on her hips…
Read MoreHow do I know what or when to compromise to advance the cause of Christ?
Question: How do I know what or when to compromise to advance the cause of Christ? Answer: The cause of God is not advanced by sin. “And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just” (Romans…
Read MoreWho Is Jesus to You and What Are You Doing About It?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019Fall7Who-Is-Jesus-to-You-and-What-Are-You-Doing-About-It.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past
Read MoreA Covenant Like David’s
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/A-Covenant-Like-David.mp3 by Andy Cantrell Finding Our Purpose from the Past
Read MoreI fear to teach others because I might be exposed as a hypocrite
Question: I have this friend I used to like. He is going through a rough time. I want to reach out to him, but I don’t approve of his current lifestyle, hence I hesitate. I don’t want him to think I like what he does. What should I do? One of the reasons I don’t…
Read MoreA Good Example
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SettingAGoodSample.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Jeremiah 35:1-19 I. People learn in a variety ways. Some ways make a bigger impression on a person than others. A. People don’t learn how to be a Christian just from reading or listening to the Bible, though that is a major method. B. Preachers must understand that people also learn…
Read MoreAre You Changing the World?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Are-You-Changing-the-World.mp3 by Brad Morgan
Read MoreBlooming Where You Are Planted
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BloomingWhereYourePlanted.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 3:1-6 I. I was reading an article by Hiram Kemp titled, “Six Ways to Thrive in a Weak Church” A. The points were good, but it also had me thinking about the difficulties we face in this region. 1. There are not many faithful churches and most struggle. 2. Some are…
Read MoreQuestions About Bible Classes
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/QuestionsAboutBibleClass.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Titus 2:1-8 I. It is apparent to me that Christians as a whole do not understand the purpose of Bible classes. A. It is not just locally because I have receive similar questions from Christians in other areas. B. I think it would be beneficial for all of us to examine…
Read MoreIs It Possible to Preach Christ and Not Preach Baptism or the Church?
by Donald Townsley via Guardian of Truth, December 15, 1988 From time to time men set forth the doctrine that we should “preach Christ” and leave the controversial subjects of the plan of salvation and the church alone. Some say, “just preach the man and not the plan”; others say, “preach Christ and not the…
Read MoreOpposition to Teaching Christianity
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In February 2019 Barna Group released the results of a poll which they titled, “Almost Half of Practicing Christian Millennials Say Evangelism Is Wrong.” They divided their survey group into Millennials, GenX, Boomers, and Elders. Almost all surveyed agreed with the statements: “Part of my faith means being a witness about…
Read MoreExpository Teaching
by Joanne Beckley I find that expository preachers often do not really ask, What’s the purpose of this sermon? What should it do in people’s lives? If you say, “Why are you preaching on Romans 5?” some preachers answer, “Well, because last week I was in Romans 4. Next week I’ll be in Romans 6.”…
Read MoreDo You Expect to Go to Heaven?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DoYouExpectToGoToHeaven.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. Should God save you? A. Paul was able to say, “Yes, I did the Lord’s will.” – II Tim. 4:6-8 B. Can you say that about your own life? C. How did you become a Christian? 1. Converted from a denomination or from out of the world? 2. Raised in the church? D. All are the…
Read MoreYour church uses a website and a Facebook page, so why can another church have a fellowship hall?
Question: I’m not even saying I want to have or like having a fellowship hall, but given your stance that the Bible does not specifically provide for it, why do you have a website and email for your church? Also, why do you have a Facebook page? Is not a Facebook page, if used the way…
Read MoreYour class on Song of Solomon was one of the most awkward and painful classes I attended, and I really appreciate it years later
Question: Your work constantly impresses me. As a foster parent, I have discovered that there is a large group of brethren that dislike the nitty-gritty situations that come with helping people who are still of the world. It is sort of the “How can you eat with tax collectors and sinners” perspective. We have introduced…
Read MoreHow can we have peace in heaven if some judge us for not teaching them?
Question: I am having a problem with the song “You Never Mentioned Him to Me.” It appears to teach that when we go to heaven people who are not going to heaven will be judging people who are. How can we have joy, peace, no tears, etc? If this takes place, “when in a better…
Read MoreWhat should I say when I hear someone give bad advice?
Question: Hey Jeffrey, What is the balance between expecting the world to just act like the world and take a stand? Like I know a guy who claims to be a Christian. He was giving advice about going through divorce to someone else and he said “getting a rebound chick is the key”. I’m sure…
Read MoreHow do I show my coworker that it is not faith alone that saves?
Question: Hello, I am in a discussion of the Bible with a man that I work with. He is Lutheran and I go to a church of Christ. His beliefs are that faith saves and continues to recite the verse from Ephesians 2:8-9. I’m sure you’re very familiar with that verse. I have shared with…
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