Category Archives: Bible Study

Jesus: The Cosmic Santa Claus

Posted on March 5, 2025 by russellmckinney

“The Jesus You Know” series (post #5) I was licensed to preach in October of 1992 and formally ordained into the ministry in February of 1993. Upon my ordination, I began my first pastorate. So, if we do the math, … Continue reading →

Posted in Balance, Belief, Bible Study, Covetousness, Desires, Doctrine, Faith, Giving, God's Will, God's Word, Money, Needs, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Prosperity, Scripture, Series: "The Jesus You Know", The Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Sin Costs the Christian

Posted on February 17, 2025 by russellmckinney

New Testament Christianity teaches that salvation comes by way of faith (belief) in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 can’t be much clearer: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Bible Study, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Faith, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, Guilt, Holiness, Inner Peace, Joy, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Weather (post 3 of 3)

Posted on January 18, 2025 by russellmckinney

This post is going to finish up our series on what the Bible teaches about weather. Thus far in the series we have learned that God is the source of weather, Noah’s flood was the start of the weather we … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Christ's Return, Creation, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Prophecy, Resurrection, Series: "Weather", Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weather (post 2 of 3)

Posted on January 15, 2025 by russellmckinney

In the previous post, I explained what the Bible teaches about weather in regards to the source of weather and the start of our weather. The source of weather is God, and the start of the weather our world now … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Creation, God's Chastening, God's Omnipotence, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Mercy, God's Sovereignty, Grace, Series: "Weather", Weather | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weather (post 1 of 3)

Posted on January 13, 2025 by russellmckinney

I live in western North Carolina, and our region is still recovering from the almost unbelievable devastation caused by the flooding and high winds from the remains of Hurricane Helene. It was in the aftermath of all that tragedy and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Creation, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, Satan, Series: "Weather", Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Take the Christmas Quiz

Posted on December 24, 2024 by russellmckinney

Here are 20 questions (actually 21) that come out of the Bible’s Christmas story. Take this quiz and see how you do. Each question is worth 5 points and the extra credit question is worth 10. The answers are given … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Bible Study, Christ's Birth, Christmas, Christmas Traditions, Scripture, The Bible, Virgin Birth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Filling in the Gaps of My Learning

Posted on November 20, 2024 by russellmckinney

I grew up in a small, rural, conservative Southern Baptist Convention church. I believed in Jesus as my Savior at a young age, was baptized, and joined the church. I went to Sunday School just about every Sunday and stayed … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Children, Church, Disappointment, Discipleship, Doubt, Faith, Parenting, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer Requests, Problems, Scripture, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When God Doesn’t Make a Way

Posted on October 29, 2024 by russellmckinney

My previous post was entitled “God Can Make a Way” and was based upon the story found in Acts 12:1-19. That post focused upon how God made a way of escape for Peter as Peter sat in a Roman prison … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Angels, Belief, Bible Study, Death, Disappointment, Discipleship, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omnipotence, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Human Life, Justice, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, The Bible, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How’s Your Driving These Days?

Posted on August 5, 2024 by russellmckinney

Lee Strobel, a Christian apologist and author, tells about a police officer who pulled over a car that was traveling at a strangely low speed. As the officer approached the driver’s window, he noticed that the car was full of … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Faith, God's Word, Preaching, Repentance, Salvation, Scripture, Teaching, The Bible, Truth | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Storytelling

Posted on July 3, 2024 by russellmckinney

We preachers are constantly encouraged to use effective illustrations and make our sermons more like “storytelling.” It’s advice that I really do try to implement. After all, Jesus was the greatest communicator who ever lived and He often taught by … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Bible Study, Discipleship, Extending Forgiveness, God's Word, God's Work, Persecution, Preaching, Problems, Scripture, Suffering, The Bible, Trials | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments