Category Archives: Sin

God Is Watching

Posted on November 17, 2009 by russellmckinney

It was lunchtime at a Catholic elementary school, and a large pile of apples was placed on a tray at the head of the long table upon which the food was placed. A note posted on the tray read: “Take … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Choices, Conscience, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, God's Omnipresence, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sin & Church Attendance

Posted on September 22, 2009 by russellmckinney

Can you imagine getting drunk Saturday night and then going to church the next morning? Can you imagine rolling out of a bed you share with your live-in lover, getting dressed, and going to church? Can you imagine having beer … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Faithfulness, Holiness, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Sin, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Lord, Send Us Rattlesnakes”

Posted on September 15, 2009 by russellmckinney

Once upon a time there was a family of backslidden church members. The family consisted of a father and three sons. They had all once been very active in church but lately had fallen away completely. Many people visited the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Church Attendance, Discipline, Disobedience, Obedience, Parenting, Personal Holiness, Prayer Requests, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Walking Civil War

Posted on August 9, 2009 by russellmckinney

William Barclay wrote, “Every man is a walking civil war. Within him there is the tension, the division, the battle between right and wrong, between good and evil, between passion and reason, between the instincts and the will.” Truer words … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Choices, Comfort, Covetousness, Disobedience, Doing Good, Encouragement, Eternity, Heaven, Man's Freewill, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, War | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Got Your Baptismal Certificate with You?

Posted on July 28, 2009 by russellmckinney

The two ordinances that God has given the church are the Lord’s Supper and Believer’s Baptism. The Lord’s Supper points us to Christ’s death, and Believer’s Baptism points us to His resurrection. Each ordinance hinges upon a right understanding of … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Backsliding, Baptism, Character, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Commitment, Conviction, Crucifixion, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Dying To Self, Eternity, Faithfulness, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Idolatry, Lust, Lying, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Racism, Rebellion, Repentance, Sin, Temptation, The Lord's Supper | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Love for Jesus Looks Like

Posted on July 25, 2009 by russellmckinney

Harry Winston, the famous New York diamond dealer, once heard about a wealthy Dutch merchant who was looking for a certain kind of diamond to add to his collection. Winston called the merchant, told him he thought he had just … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Alcohol, Backsliding, Choices, Commitment, Confession, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, Gambling, Gluttony, God's Holiness, God's Will, Holiness, Love, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Priorities, Rebellion, Repentance, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Blessing of Changing a Sermon

Posted on July 15, 2009 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

My Body, A Temple

Posted on June 17, 2009 by russellmckinney

I’m well aware that 1 Timothy 4:8 says: “For bodily exercise profits little, but godliness is profitable for all things” (N.K.J.V.). I’m also well aware that overweight Christians love that verse because it seems to dismiss the need for exercise. Nevertheless, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alcohol, Dieting, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, Gambling, Gluttony, Homosexuality, Idolatry, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Heart, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Path That Won’t Lead You Back

Posted on June 9, 2009 by russellmckinney

In moonshine country, a revenuer once asked a boy, “Son, will that path take me to your daddy’s still?” The boy answered, “Yes, but it won’t bring you back.” Life has some paths like that. They will take you to … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Disobedience, Fatherhood, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, Obedience, Rebellion, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Still Digging Johnson Grass?

Posted on May 27, 2009 by russellmckinney

A young man hired himself out to a neighboring farmer for the summer, but the farmer turned out to be a strict boss who worked the boy very hard. Finally, the young man decided to claim his revenge. Late one … Continue reading →

Posted in Making Restitution, Obedience, Personal, Reconciliation, Restoration, Seeking Forgiveness, Sin, Sowing and Reaping | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment