Ministrymaker Magazine
Articles by Gary Linton
With over 30 years of teaching, church planting and ministry experience, Gary Linton helps pastors, ministers and church leaders pursue their call to ministry. Pastor Linton is also available for seminars, leadership conferences and speaking engagements for churches both large and small.Sample U.S. Church Bylaws
When starting a new church or ministry, one of the first things you need to set in place is your organization’s bylaws. These are the guidelines your ministry or church… [read more]
The Advice of a Mother: John 2:1-11
How many have at one time or another received advice from your mother? Wise is the one that heeded their mother’s advice. I would venture to say that there have… [read more]
A Believer’s Responsibilities Under the New Covenant: Hebrews 10:22-25
Do believers have any responsibilities under the New Covenant? I recently wrote about the Differences Between the Old and New Covenants. The major difference is the Old Covenant was a… [read more]
Differences Between the Old and New Covenants
I recently talked with a Pastor associated with Ministrymaker who asked if I had any teachings comparing the old covenant to the new covenant. Unfortunately, I had to tell him… [read more]
How to Know if You are Being Led by the Spirit
How can a Christian know if they are being led by the Spirit? I recently received this question from a Ministrymaker visitor. God wants us to be led by His… [read more]
How to Resist Sin and Temptation
“How can Christians resist sin and temptation?” I received this question recently through Ministrymaker. The devil wants to convince us we are victoms to sin and temptation. He is a… [read more]
How to Motivate Your Congregation
How do you motivate members of your church to help and to be productive? I recently received this question on our article How to Grow a Small Church. Getting people… [read more]
How to Pray in the Spirit: Romans 8:26
The scriptures say, “The Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too… [read more]
Hindrances to Prayer
To have an effective prayer life, we must get rid of all hindrances to our prayers. For example, if our bank account is overdrawn, the first thing we do is… [read more]
The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13
What is typically known as “The Lord’s Prayer” could more accurately be referred to as “The Disciple’s Prayer.” The true “Lord’s Prayer” would more likely be the one in John… [read more]
The “I AM’s” of Jesus Christ
The gospels reveal the history of Jesus’ life here on earth — what He did, what He was like, and also what He desires to be to us. Jesus wants… [read more]
Taking The Land: The Next Generation (Joshua 1:1-5)
As in our previous teaching on “Taking The Land” out of Psalm 37, taking the land not only refers to Israel entering the Promise Land, but also believers entering into… [read more]
Taking the Land: Psalm 37
In Psalm 37, there are at least six references to taking, dwelling in or inheriting the land. Taking the land not only refers to Israel entering the Promise Land, but… [read more]
How to Study the Book of Revelation
Many Christians find it hard to study the book of Revelation, while others believe it is impossible to interpret. God would not give us revelation if He didn’t intend for… [read more]
Deity of Jesus: Lord, Liar or Lunatic?
Jesus made some pretty outlandish claims about himself. After careful study of the Word of God, the logical conclusion we must make is Jesus is either who He said He… [read more]
How to Experience Joy: 1 John 1:4
“And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full” — 1 John 1:4 KJV This verse reveals God’s desire to fill His people with joy. Why… [read more]
The Hope of Easter: Mark 16:2-4
The picture of the first Easter morning was bleak. The disciples had believed that Jesus was their hope and the hope of Israel. They thought He was the one who… [read more]
Evangelism Through Cell Groups
I was recently asked how one can integrate evangelism in a cell or small group setting. There are several ways to do this, many of which would be similar to… [read more]
Calling of Disciples: Mark 1:16-20
Discipleship is the process of training a believer to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. In Mark 1:16-20, we see Jesus calling the first disciples. Here are a few… [read more]
Preparing for Worship: John 4:23
God is on a search for true worshipers. “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father… [read more]
The Purpose of Praise and Worship
There is a purpose for all God does. Likewise, there is a purpose for our praise and worship of God. We must approach God in worship with specific purposes in… [read more]
The Power of Praise
In our previous studies we saw how to worship God, the preparation of praise, and the purpose of praise. In this study, we will look into the power of praising… [read more]
How to Worship God
Worship should be the primary focus of all God’s children. While there are many different styles of worship within the church, God is not as interested in the style of… [read more]
How to Begin Studying the Bible
We are told to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). In the study of the bible (scriptures) we see Jesus, find eternal life (John 5:39-40), we become His disciples, come to… [read more]
Pastoral Prisons: Ephesians 3:1-21
In Ephesians 3, Paul was incarcerated for the sake of the gentiles at Ephesus. He had been arrested and thrown in prison for preaching the gospel to the Ephesians, and… [read more]
God is Able: Ephesians 3:20
Do you believe God can do anything? Is there something you are facing that makes you wonder if God is able to handle it? Scripture tells us there is nothing… [read more]
Church Planting Guide for Beginners
Starting a new church or ministry is one of the most rewarding and fruitful things you can do to advance the kingdom, but it can also be very challenging. After… [read more]
Church Leadership: Pastor or Preacher?
Is there a difference between a pastor and a preacher? Many churches have great preachers, but pastoring is more than just preaching. There may be many similar characteristics between the… [read more]
Attributes of God: Nonmoral Attributes
In this message we will be discussing the attributes of God. An attribute is “an inherent characteristic; an object closely associated with or belonging to a specific person, thing, or… [read more]
Attributes of God: Essence and Substance of God
It’s very difficult for the finite mind to adequately comprehend the infinite God. Job said, “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits… [read more]
How to Grow a Small Church
How can we grow a small church? In spite of the huge ministries and churches we see on television, the majority of churches in the United States have under one… [read more]
Atheism and Agnosticism: Opposing Views to God
There has been throughout history a belief in God in the United States. We even have “In God We Trust” on our money. In recent years we have seen a… [read more]
The Existence of God: Arguments for His Existence
In the last two messages, we discussed “Two False and Opposing Views” to God’s existence and “The Existence of God: Assumed in Scripture.” In the third part of this series… [read more]
The Existence of God: Assumed in Scripture
The Bible assumes the existence of God, without attempting to prove it. In the book of beginnings, Genesis, we read, “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1). God’s existence is assumed…. [read more]
Putting God to the Test
Here is an interesting email our good friend Donnie “Sax” Sanders received through his website. The woman was wrestling with the question of tithing on her gross income, which she… [read more]
The Trinity: Illustrations and Examples
We have seen in our earlier two studies on the Trinity that God is one and that there are three persons within the one God. These three are separate and… [read more]
Do You Have Room for Jesus This Christmas?
I was contemplating Christmas and of course the Christmas story came to mind. The verse “There was no room for them in the Inn” (Luke 2:7) particularly struck me. This… [read more]
The Trinity: One God, Three Persons
There is only one God – this is clear throughout scripture. However, there are three persons eternally existent in the one God. Paul Little said it this way, “God is… [read more]
The Trinity: The Unity and Oneness of God
The term trinity is not mentioned in the bible. It was first used in the second century to describe the Godhead, which is a biblical term (Colossians 2:9 and Romans… [read more]
Authority of the Believer: Ephesians 1:19-23, 2:6
God has given the believer authority and victory in both the natural and spiritual realm. Notice what it says in these verses, “What is the exceeding greatness of His power… [read more]
Keys to Effective Praying
How would you like to have an effective prayer life? The Bible says, “Elijah was a man subject to like passions (weaknesses and failure) as we are, and he prayed… [read more]
Falling from Grace: Hebrews 12:15
What does it mean to have the grace of God upon your life? Grace means unmerited or undeserved favor. In other words, there is nothing we can do to earn… [read more]
Top Bible Commentaries and Reference Guides
Listed below are several commentaries and Bible reference books that will help you gain a deeper understanding of God’s word, strengthen your faith, and expand your ability to create a… [read more]
Tips to Effective Preaching
Let’s look at some real examples of effective preaching. Our text will be from Acts 2 where Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and from Acts 3 where the… [read more]
Sample Marriage Ceremony and Wedding Vows
This is a basic outline of the marriage ceremony I use to perform weddings. The ceremony is a combination of what I put together myself and some parts of a… [read more]
Bitter Root Expectancy: Hebrews 12:15
When we have negative things happen over and over, failure, or people have told us that we will never amount to much, we begin to believe and expect those very… [read more]
Abundant Life: John 10:10
Most people never experience life to the extent they were meant to. Having a good job and making decent money doesn’t mean you will experience fullness of life. Many who… [read more]
Trials and Suffering: Genesis 42:36
Suffering is a very real issue in life and in the body of Christ. It is something that hits everyone in one way or the other throughout life. Suffering may… [read more]
Faithfulness: Psalms 12:1
Who can find a faithful man? This is what God is searching for among His people and it is a very rare commodity. “Help Lord, for the godly man ceases… [read more]
Benefits of the Blood of Christ
The main purpose for which Jesus came was to shed His blood. As the old hymn said, “There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the lamb.”… [read more]
Impacting the World: Matthew 5:13-14
First of all, let’s understand that we will never be able to make a real impact on our society through legislation, programs and committees alone. Things done in the flesh… [read more]
Spiritual Inclusiveness: 1 John 1:1-3
There’s a lot of talk today about unity, fellowship and inclusiveness. Let me state up front that I believe in inclusiveness. However, if we are talking of true Christian fellowship… [read more]
Lack of Conviction in a Christian’s Life
David cried out to the Lord, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (Psalms 51:11). David said this after dealing with his… [read more]
True Spirituality: Galatians 6:1
According to the Fresh Fire website, Todd Bentley entered into an unhealthy relationship, on an emotional level, with a female member of his staff. As a result, he agreed to… [read more]
Are You a Victim or Victor?
We live in a world where everyone seems to be a victim in one way or another. It’s not God’s design for us to become victims of situations and things… [read more]
Scattered Christians: James 1:1
In James 1:1, the author begins his letter by introducing himself as “a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings.”… [read more]
Benefits of the Word of God
The Word of God can benefit us in more ways than we can possibly imagine. The writer of Hebrews says, “The Word of God is alive and powerful” (Hebrews 4:12)…. [read more]
Financial Grace: 2 Corinthians 9:8
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” In the context grace refers to finances and giving. The Corinthians and Macedonians were experiencing… [read more]
The Tithe: Malachi 3:8-11
Nehemiah 13:10-11a NKJV says, “I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work… [read more]
Feeding of 5,000: Luke 9:12-17
The disciples had just returned from being sent out to proclaim the kingdom with authority over all demons and power to heal the sick. They came back excited and fired… [read more]
The Four Beasts: Revelation 5:14
One of our Pastors from Pakistan emailed me and asked what the four beasts were in Revelation 5:14. It had been a while since I studied Revelation so I procrastinated… [read more]
The Return of Jesus: Matthew 24:3
While leaving the temple the disciples asked Jesus, “What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age (Matthew 24:3)?” There has been much speculation… [read more]
How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
This is a follow up to the teaching I recently sent out on the Fivefold Ministry of the Holy Spirit. To summarize that teaching, the Holy Spirit is with us… [read more]
Fivefold Ministry of the Holy Spirit
There has always been a lot of confusion over the ministry of the Holy Spirit. There are usually two extremes. One where there is an over emphasis concerning manifestations of… [read more]
Questions About Speaking in Tongues
This article is in answer to questions we’ve received about speaking in tongues. I hope you find many of your questions answered as well. It is real, and many great… [read more]
Views of the Rapture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
The second coming of Jesus for His church is often referred to as the Rapture. All true Christians believe Jesus will return for us one day as He promised (John… [read more]
Prayerlessness a Sin: 1 Samuel 12:23
What is our prayer life like? Do we throw up an occasional prayer as things arise, or do we have a time set apart daily for spending time with the… [read more]