Category Archives: The Gospel

What Ever Happened to the Original Church of Jerusalem?

Posted on November 19, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #16) The church of Jerusalem, the megachurch that was the world’s first church (Acts 8:1; 11:22), was never intended to be the planet’s only church. God’s plan was always for those believers to … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Evangelism, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Pastors, Persecution, Preaching, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Most Shocking Convert Ever

Posted on November 16, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #15) Imagine Osama Bin Laden becoming a Christian and asking to speak in Christian churches. Imagine Adolph Hitler converting to Judaism and asking to speak in Jewish synagogues. Imagine the Grand Wizard of … Continue reading →

Posted in Brokenness, Change, Church, Conscience, Conviction, Dying To Self, Evangelism, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Submission, The Gospel, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How God Brought Good Out of Persecution

Posted on November 14, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #14) It takes quite a bit of time and energy for a mob to literally stone someone to death. Coats and outer garments must be taken off so that rocks can be gathered … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Church, Contentment, Evangelism, God's Guidance, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Missions, Persecution, Problems, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Gospel, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The World’s First Megachurch

Posted on October 31, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #8) A megachurch is generally defined as being any Christian congregation that has a sustained weekly attendance of 2,000 people or more in its worship services. With that definition in mind, we can … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Bible Study, Christian Unity, Church, Church Attendance, Discipleship, Evangelism, God's Word, God's Work, Leadership, Ministry, Missions, Money, Needs, Pastors, Prayer, Preaching, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Service, Stewardship, Sunday School, The Bible, The Gospel, The Holy Spirit, Witnessing, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Put on the Whole Armor of God

Posted on September 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

Ephesians 6:10-17 is the famous “armor of God” passage. There Paul tells us that we must put on the whole armor of God if we are to be successful in the midst of spiritual, demonic warfare. That armor consists of: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Commitment, Deception, Demons, Discernment, Discipleship, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal Holiness, Righteousness, Salvation, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, The Bible, The Devil, The Gospel, The Heart, Trials, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve’s Fall (post #1)

Posted on August 27, 2018 by russellmckinney

A straightforward, literal reading of the Bible’s record of history teaches us that approximately 6,000 years have passed since Adam and Eve’s fall into sin. That’s a lot of years. The fact is, though, the specific evidences the Bible associates … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Coming Judgment, Demons, Depravity, Eternal Security, Eternity, God's Foreknowledge, God's Judgment, Man's Freewill, Salvation, Satan, Series: "Everyday Evidences of Adam & Eve's Fall", Sin, Spiritual Warfare, The Devil, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holiness, Mercy, Grace, & Wrath

Posted on July 11, 2018 by russellmckinney

Statement #1: God is a God of perfect holiness. Statement #2: Each human being is a sinner. Statement #3: Therein lies the problem. Fortunately for us, God is a God of love in addition to Him being a God of … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Belief, Christ's Death, Christ's Resurrection, Comfort, Eternity, Faith, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Mercy, Grace, Mercy, Salvation, Sin, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Jesus Die for Everybody?

Posted on April 30, 2018 by russellmckinney

“Calvinism” series: (post #4) Years ago, I attended an evangelism/missions service that was part of a multi-night crusade sponsored by our local S.B.C. Association. The guest speaker for the crusade was a fellow S.B.C. pastor who had gained a fair … Continue reading →

Posted in Calvinism, Christ's Death, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "Calvinism", The Bible, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

What Does It Take to Become One of God’s “Elect”?

Posted on April 27, 2018 by russellmckinney

“Calvinism” series: (post #3) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father… (1 Peter 1:1-2, N.K.J.V.) Make no mistake, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Calvinism, Election, Faith, God's Love, Salvation, Scripture, Series: "Calvinism", The Bible, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Can a Dead Person Make a Decision?

Posted on April 25, 2018 by russellmckinney

“Calvinism” series: (post #2) And you He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sins… (Ephesians 2:1, N.K.J.V.) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together, with Him, having … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Calvinism, Choices, Faith, Salvation, Seeking Forgiveness, Series: "Calvinism", Sin, The Gospel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 14 Comments