Showing results by author "Marvin McKenzie" in All Categories

Born out of more than two years study, the material here presented was originally given as a series of lessons for the author's adult Sunday school class. The reader will find here seventy four chapters covering each of the major portions of every chapter of the gospel according to John. Pastor Marvin McKenzie has forty years of pastoral ministry. This study will provide deep understanding of the book of John. At the same time the student of the Bible will find the lessons simple and devotional in style. Pastor McKenzie uses a strong outline style that helps the reader to follow through the...

In 1984 my little family, consisting of myself and my wife, who was pregnant with our firstborn son, moved to Astoria Oregon. I had heard of two families in the city who were praying for someone to come plant a New Testament Baptist Church. The evening we arrived in town, I met two others. While all four families would have said they were independent, fundamental Baptists, they were as different as night and day. One of those families in particular held to doctrinal positions that were strange to me and the rest of us. They derived those doctrines, to a large extent, from some typology out ...

I first began the series of messages that make up this book in the early 1990's. Our church's Bible Institute was doing very well but I had difficulty finding the types of materials I wanted to teach our students. There were Bible survey books available to be sure. None were the sort I was looking for, something that would give a survey rather than a lot of detail, and something that would be devotional at the same time. It was during those days I began preparing and preaching these messages. It is my prayer that the form and style of the book will be inspirational and helpful to you and ...

"Scout's Farm Adventures: A Heartwarming Tale of Friendship and Discovery" Embark on a captivating journey with Scout the mini horse and his delightful crew of farm animal friends! In "Scout's Farm Adventures," readers of all ages are invited to join Scout, Clover, Daisy, Oliver, Oscar, the Feathered Four, Tilly, and Cola as they navigate the twists and turns of life on the farm. As the sun rises over the rolling hills, Scout and his friends come to life with their individual talents and unique personalities. From the playful antics of Clover and Daisy to the mischievous escapades of Oliver...

This is an intentionally fictional account of the American Revolutionary War traitor, Benedict Arnold. I have taken what I could learn from the historical records and woven a fictional story around those records. In fact, there are lessons to be learned from this man. Success is not always a sign of greatness. Success without humility might lead to a terrible fall. The pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of success are not often the same. Choose wisely. The Bible tells us, Proverbs 14:12 (KJV), "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." The ...

In Every Generation: A Baptist Ecclesiology The Baptist Church in Theological and Historical Context by Marvin McKenzie What is the church that Jesus built—and has it survived every generation? In this rigorous yet accessible theological work, Marvin McKenzie presents a compelling case for the perpetuity, authority, and exclusivity of the New Testament church as found in local, visible Baptist assemblies. Drawing from decades of ministry experience and historical research, In Every Generation offers a thorough defense of the biblical identity, structure, and mission of the church—while ...

The Foot of the Cross It was the most remarkable day in mankind's history! God, who became flesh and dwelt among man, now hung on the Roman government's most cruel form of capital punishment, a cross. Though His accusers could find nothing for which He was guilty still they had agreed; He must die. Though Pilate, the Roman governor whose duty it was to maintain peace in Israel had found no fault in Him, he only washed his hands of the affair and let the Sanhedrin have their way. And multitudes of people were on hand in Jerusalem to observe this destiny changing affair. What was their ...

This book is designed to introduce basic Baptist principles involved in church planting. The authority for church planting is the local church. We do not presume that our ideas are infallible or unchangeable. We offer this to help and give them insight should the Lord lead the reader into that work through their local church. Within these few pages, the young preacher will also find bits of help for conducting weddings, funerals, and administering Our Lord’s Supper.

Tonasket: Anchored in the Okanogan is a sweeping historical fiction novel that spans a century of change, challenge, and quiet triumph in Washington State’s rugged Okanogan River Valley. Told through interwoven vignettes of pioneers, Native peoples, missionaries, and townsfolk, this heartfelt narrative brings to life the trials and transformation of a land once wild and untamed. From the early 1800s when fur trappers and tribal leaders cautiously exchanged words and wares, to the early 1900s when steam trains, apple orchards, and Baptist churches became fixtures of the valley, Tonasket ...

The world feels unstable—and Christians are told to believe this is normal. The Bible says otherwise. Cities burn while leaders excuse it. Governments clash with their own citizens. Protests erupt at home while revolutions shake nations abroad. Fear is used to justify control. Truth is treated as flexible. And the church is often pressured to stay quiet, stay vague, and stay out of the way. Down and Dirty with the End Times refuses that silence. This book is not a speculative timeline, a collection of theories, or a sensational attempt to predict dates. It is a prophetic commentary—...

Right around that time, the news agencies began reporting about the Chinese coronavirus. I did not give it much more than a passing thought. I was aware of it but that was about it. February, we had a very difficult experience in our church, one of just two like it in the years of my ministry. A man in the church rose up against my family. We’ve had people grow upset and leave. It has only been twice that someone has chosen to stay and fight us. I accepted that as an answer to my prayer for breaking.March began our Faith Promise missions emphasis. I remember the second week. I picked up ...

Embark on a heartwarming journey alongside Scout, the tiny mini horse, as he navigates the challenges of trust in "Scout's Struggle with Trust: The Mini Horse's Tale." In a picturesque meadow, Scout's adventure unfolds, filled with moments of doubt and newfound courage. Join him as he forms unlikely friendships with woodland creatures, confronts his fears, and learns that trust is a path worth taking, even for the smallest of us. This enchanting children's book is a touching reminder that friendship, understanding, and self-discovery can lead to the most beautiful transformations. Perfect ...

What you believe determines how you live. But who decides whether what you believe is actually true? In a world where belief systems are treated as personal preferences rather than truth claims, Belief Systems: Who Decides the Truth? asks the question many avoid—and few answer carefully. Is truth discovered through human reasoning, shaped by culture, defined by experience, or revealed by God? In this clear, thoughtful, and accessible book, veteran Baptist pastor and Bible teacher Marvin McKenzie examines the major belief systems shaping modern thought and places them side by side under ...

What should change—and what must never change? In an age where churches are pressured to reinvent themselves, redefine convictions, and keep pace with cultural expectations, that question is no longer theoretical. It is urgent. In Principled Progress, veteran pastor and author Marvin McKenzie offers a clear, biblical framework for thinking about change—one that neither idolizes tradition nor baptizes novelty. Drawing from decades of pastoral ministry, church planting, leadership training, and personal experience, McKenzie addresses a tension every faithful believer eventually faces: how...

I remember when I first began to live for the Lord, Mike Riggs and I were doing a Bible study at noon on the job site, and Mike told me that I should underline the word faith each time it is used in this chapter. It is one of the most impressive chapters of all the Bible. You will notice with me that the chapter begins with the definition of faith. This is traditional Jewish literature in that the Apostle summarizes all that he plans on presenting to us in just the first few words. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders ...

In a world filled with uncertainty, believers hold a glorious promise: Jesus Christ will return to gather His saints and establish His eternal kingdom. The Promise of Christ: The Pre-tribulation Rapture of the Saints and Return of the Lord delves into the Apostle Paul's rich teachings in 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, offering fresh insights into the doctrines of the pre-tribulation rapture and the second coming of Christ. This second edition, building on the original The Rapture and Return, brings new depth and clarity to Paul's comforting message. Exploring Paul's Letters to a Persecuted ...

Teens today are facing a spiritual battlefield—fear, peer pressure, temptation, jealousy, discouragement, hidden sin, rebellion, and confusion. But these battles aren’t new. Long before social media, long before culture shifted, the people of God walked through the same struggles. In Fight the Real Fight, Marvin McKenzie guides teen leaders and students through fifteen powerful lessons from 1 & 2 Samuel, revealing how spiritual warfare unfolds in the heart long before it unfolds in life. This isn’t a theoretical study. It’s practical, relatable, and deeply biblical. Each week walks ...

Larry is hairy. Very hairy. And no matter how much you brush, bathe, or vacuum… the hair always comes back. Larry Is Hairy is a warm, funny, and relatable picture book for young children that celebrates family life with a beloved (and very fluffy) dog. Based on a real yellow lab from Republic, Washington, this gentle story uses simple rhyme, bright illustrations, and everyday moments to help children learn an important truth: love isn’t always neat—but it’s always worth it. Larry sheds on the couch. He sheds on the floor. He sheds by the door… and maybe a little more. The family ...

Discover the Joy of Winter Through the Eyes of a Lovable Lab! Larry Likes the Snow is a heartwarming children’s picture book that celebrates the beauty of winter, the thrill of discovery, and the comfort of staying close to those who love you. Written by Marvin McKenzie and inspired by real life in Republic, Washington, this gentle story follows Larry the Lab as he wakes up to a world covered in sparkling white snow. For Larry, every snowflake brings adventure—and every adventure brings a lesson worth learning. Young readers will delight as Larry bounds through fresh drifts, sniffs ...

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