Category Archives: Preaching

You Just Never Know

Posted on July 25, 2022 by russellmckinney

Lyman Beecher was one of the most famous Presbyterian preachers of the 1800s. Early in his ministry, he once exchanged pulpits for a Sunday with the pastor of a small country church. It was in the middle of winter, with … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, God's Work, Obedience, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Sowing and Reaping | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Forgotten Word

Posted on July 8, 2022 by russellmckinney

Consider the following handful of verses (all from the New King James Version, with emphasis added on my part): -“I listened and heard, but they do not speak aright. No man repented of his wickedness, saying, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone turned to … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Faith, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Repentance, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Blessing of Changing a Sermon

Posted on May 9, 2022 by russellmckinney

On Sunday, July 1st, 2009, I had in mind to preach a sermon on prayer. Specifically, I planned to preach on the so-called “Lord’s Prayer.” But as I began to ease into my studying and preparing for that sermon, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Change, Children, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Disobedience, Forgiveness, Obedience, Parenting, Personal, Preaching, Reward, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Play Your Piccolo

Posted on May 2, 2022 by russellmckinney

Acts 6:1-7 gives the account of an election that was held by the early church. Not only did the apostles instruct the church members to choose seven men, the seven had to be much more than just “casual Christians.” They … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Church, Doing Good, Faithfulness, God's Work, Individuality, Pastors, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abounding More and More

Posted on March 31, 2022 by russellmckinney

Finally then, brethren we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God. (1 Thessalonians 4:1, N.K.J.V.) As you read … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Doing Good, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Personal, Prayer, Preaching, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Your Toes Stepped On

Posted on March 16, 2022 by russellmckinney

A preacher had just finished a very strong sermon on the subject of sin. One of the officers of his church came to him and asked for a private word in the preacher’s study. Once there, the scolding began. The officer said, “We … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Judgment, God's Word, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Pastors, Personal, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Rebellion, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Divine Link Between Growing & Learning

Posted on February 28, 2022 by russellmckinney

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… (Matthew 11:29, N.K.J.V.) There was a preacher who had been in the ministry for twenty years. In a conversation he had with one of his church members, he said with pride, … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Bible Study, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discernment, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Giving, Personal Holiness, Prayer, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Keep the Message Simple

Posted on January 10, 2022 by russellmckinney

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. … Continue reading →

Posted in Communication, Evangelism, God's Work, Heaven, Hell, Ministry, Preaching, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ’s Teachings Don’t Save Us

Posted on October 19, 2021 by russellmckinney

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7, N.K.J.V.) One Sunday morning a pastor preached about Christ’s crucifixion. The sermon featured graphic detail about how Christ’s literal … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Death, Crucifixion, Doctrine, Preaching, Priorities, Salvation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

You Should Heed God’s Preachers

Posted on September 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

“Ezra” series: (post #11) Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. So Zerubbabel the … Continue reading →

Posted in God's Word, God's Work, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Ezra" | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment