Category Archives: Spiritual Gifts

Filled With the Spirit

Posted on February 18, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #5) The group of approximately 120 of Christ’s followers who experienced the famous day of Pentecost were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). This means that each of those believers became indwelt with God … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Disobedience, Doing Good, God's Work, Obedience, Rebellion, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit, The Trinity | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The First Sermon of the Church Age

Posted on February 11, 2026 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #2) The “church age” began in grand style. One Sunday, the Jewish feast day known as Pentecost (Acts 2:1), approximately 120 of Christ’s followers were gathered together in a room in Jerusalem (Acts … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ's Second Coming, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Christ's Return, Church, Dreams, Evangelism, Preaching, Prophecy, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

When God Tells You to Do Something

Posted on November 12, 2025 by russellmckinney

I’ve been friends with Beau Thomas for most of my life. We grew up together, attended school together, ran around together, and played a lot of ball together. When each of us became a father, we also coached our share … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Change, Choices, Christ's Miracles, Commitment, Complaining, Courage, Decisions, Disobedience, Doing Good, Doubt, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Money, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Disciple’s Road Bible Study Guide

Posted on November 10, 2025 by russellmckinney

There is a God. (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1) a. Creation proves His existence: Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-6; Genesis chapters 1 and 2 b. Rain and fruitful harvests prove His existence: Acts 14:14-17; Matthew 5:43-45 c. The conscience within each individual … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Christ's Miracles, Christ's Resurrection, Creation, Death, Eternity, Evangelism, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Omnipresence, God's Wrath, God's Foreknowledge, God's Judgment, God's Mercy, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Word, God's Work, Grace, Heaven, Hell, Holiness, Man's Freewill, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Resurrection, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Scripture, Sin, Spiritual Gifts, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unopened Perfume

Posted on November 8, 2025 by russellmckinney

For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15, N.K.J.V.) Donald Barnhouse was one of America’s best-known preachers. He pastored Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church from … Continue reading →

Posted in Character, Commitment, Doing Good, Dying To Self, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Personal Holiness, Sanctification, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Stewardship, Submission, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Word About Church Services

Posted on November 3, 2025 by russellmckinney

A faithful churchgoer was asked by his fisherman friend, “How can you go to the same church every service, week after week, month after month, year after year? It’s the same place, the same people, the same hymns. You’ve even … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Discipleship, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Pastors, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sunday School, Talents, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Why a Lion Tamer Uses a Chair

Posted on August 13, 2025 by russellmckinney

Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Commitment, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Priorities, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Truth About Church

Posted on August 4, 2025 by russellmckinney

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Evangelism, Giving, God's Work, Ministry, Prayer, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Sunday School, Talents, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are You a Duck, an Eagle, a Rabbit, or a Turtle?

Posted on November 25, 2024 by russellmckinney

In his book “Criswell’s Guidebook For Pastors,” W.A. Criswell, the longtime pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, offers the following illustration: The animals had a school. The curriculum consisted of running, climbing, flying, and swimming. All the animals took all … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Doing Good, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Respecting God’s Man

Posted on August 16, 2024 by russellmckinney

Then he (Elisha) went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” So he … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Criticism, God's Work, Ministry, Preaching, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments