Sermon Central
-
For Me The Most Powerful Way To Experience The ...
Contributed by Anne Benefield on Apr 28, 2008 (message contributor)
For me the most powerful way to experience the presence of the Spirit is in stories. When I was in seminary, I took a course on the Holy Spirit. The professor required that we write our final paper on one of three documents. I chose the 1978 position paper on the Holy Spirit of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In the first paragraphs of the position paper, the church writers said that when trying to understand the Holy Spirit we should stick with the didactic writings in the Bible and dismiss the stories of the Spirit. They meant we should only consider the parts of the Bible when Biblical writers like the Apostle Paul said, “The gifts of the Spirit are joy, love, peace, etc.” They argued that there were too many ways to interpret the stories of the Spirit.
I argued that the different understandings of the stories were exactly why we need to use the stories to experience the Holy Spirit. Stories allow us to enter on different levels. We hear the story from where we are and that gives it meaning. Our own changing lives allow stories to speak to us differently over time.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Movie "Thirteen" Retells The Life Story Of A ... PRO
Contributed by Bumble Ho on Sep 26, 2005
The movie “Thirteen” retells the life story of a typical thirteen-years-old girl in LA. In one scene, the girl was depressed, so she got into a bathroom and start getting a razor and cut her arms with it and inflicted pain on herself so that she could feel better. “What!” I was shocked and could ...read more
-
When Wycliffe Translator Doug Meland And His Wife ... PRO
Contributed by Eric Peloquin on Jun 23, 2005
When Wycliffe translator Doug Meland and his wife moved into a village of Brazil’s Fulnio Indians, he was referred to simply as “the white man.” The term was by no means complimentary, since other white men had exploited them, burned their homes, and robbed them of their lands. But after the ...read more
-
A Manager Has Delegated Authority [exousia]. If A ...
Contributed by Steven W on Mar 15, 2005
A manager has delegated authority [exousia]. If a manager resigns, he has no more authority. A policeman with uniform has authority when he stands at the traffic junction. When ...read more
-
A Man Wrote: "Dear Abby, I Am In Love And I Am ... PRO
Contributed by Jason Cole on May 20, 2005
A man wrote: "Dear Abby, I am in love and I am having an affair with two different women other than my wife. I love my wife but I love these other women too. Please tell me what to do, but don’t give me any that morality stuff." Signed: Too much love for only one.” In this case Abby’s answer was ...read more
-
According To The Latest Survey From Gallup, The ...
Contributed by Bumble Ho on Sep 26, 2005
According to the latest survey from Gallup, the number one reason for people joining a church is because “they like the pastor” (55%). The number one reason for leaving a church other than relocation is “disappointment with the pastor” D. Michael Lindsay, ...read more
Related Sermons
-
The Holy Spirit - Part 1 Of 9 Series
Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Jul 3, 2017
The Holy Spirit is undeniably the least understood part of deity, yet he is said to live within us, a gift we receive when we are baptized. He has several names - Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Helper, and even Holy Ghost in early English translations.
-
For Me To Live Is Christ
Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 1, 2009
The Apostle Paul lived in the light of eternity. He made decisions based on eternity.
-
Rivers Of Living Water
Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 29, 2017
Let’s understand how Christians live like rivers of flowing water.
-
The Holy Spirit Series
Contributed by D Marion Clark on Sep 10, 2012
Who is the Holy Spirit and what does he do?
-
Thirsty? Come To Jesus, Drink And Flow Series
Contributed by Chris Jordan on Dec 7, 2012
Are you hungry and thirsty for MORE in your life? If so, then come to Jesus, drink of His presence, and let the river flow!
