Category Archives: The Holy Spirit

Lessons Learned From Wee Bobby

Posted on May 9, 2019 by russellmckinney

Many years ago, in a small village church in southern Scotland, the church leaders were questioning the elderly pastor as to why the church wasn’t growing. To those leaders, a dismissal seemed in order. They said to the pastor, “No … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Church, Commitment, Decisions, Discipleship, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Missions, Sacrifice, Salvation, Service, Submission, The Holy Spirit, Youth | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Only Real Fix

Posted on May 4, 2019 by russellmckinney

Evangelist D.L. Moody once told the story of a man who bought a farm that had a well as its water source. The well water was accessed by way of a pump handle that was situated atop a platform. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Change, Depravity, Desires, Rebellion, Reconciliation, Restoration, Salvation, Sin, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Does “Rest For Your Soul” Really Mean?

Posted on April 3, 2019 by russellmckinney

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Comfort, Disappointment, Encouragement, Human Life, Peace, Persecution, Problems, Salvation, Sickness, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Holy Spirit, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dying Chickens

Posted on March 9, 2019 by russellmckinney

A farmer had 600 chickens. Half of them died and the other half started acting sickly. He called the local agricultural agent, told him the situation, and asked, “What should I do?” The agent said, “You need to give the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Study, Change, Children, Church, Disappointment, Disobedience, Dying To Self, Family, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Marriage, Money, Needs, Obedience, Parenting, Prayer, Problems, Scripture, The Bible, The Holy Spirit, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The First Church Scandal

Posted on November 3, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #9) I don’t care how smoothly a church is humming along, it isn’t immune from scandal. The problem is that people can’t help but be people. They are sin-marred individuals who are members … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Church, Deacons, Depravity, Discernment, God's Chastening, God's Judgment, Holiness, Hypocrisy, Lying, Ministry, Money, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a 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

Tongues as a Prayer Language?

Posted on October 29, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #7) In my previous post, I explained that Acts 2:1-13 teaches that the Biblical definition of speaking in tongues is speaking in a known foreign language that you have never learned. Furthermore, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Church, Communication, Discernment, God's Word, Prayer, Scripture, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Bible, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

4 Basic Questions About Speaking in Tongues

Posted on October 26, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #6) We’re in a series on the early church of Jerusalem, and we’ve now reached a place where I’m going to devote a couple of posts to the issue of speaking in tongues. … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Communication, Discernment, Evangelism, Missions, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit, The Tongue, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Filled With the Spirit

Posted on October 25, 2018 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 , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peter’s Famous Answer

Posted on October 20, 2018 by russellmckinney

(Series: “The Early Church of Jerusalem” post #3) To say that Peter’s Pentecost sermon was powerful and impacting would be an understatement. His listeners were so “cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37, N.K.J.V.) that he didn’t even have to give an … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptism, Belief, Bible Study, Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Forgiveness, Repentance, Salvation, Series: "The Early Church of Jerusalem", Speaking in Tongues, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments