In Sermon Illustrations: "Evil Spirits"

I Read The Story About A Football Player Whose ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 3, 2003

I read the story about a football player whose performance exceeded the expectation of others. "…. In the last two minutes of the game, with the score against his team, makes a touchdown. He runs faster than his legs can carry him, and farther than he has ever dreamed of running. When he comes ...read more

Tags: Change, Holy Spirit General, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: United Methodist

Emptied Out And Filled Up  PRO

Contributed by Pat Cook on Jun 28, 2003

EMPTIED OUT AND FILLED UP D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18, Hosea 5:4

Tags: Law, Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit General

Denomination: Baptist

A Fair Piece To Go!" Zechariah 12:10-14 Key ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on May 16, 2005

“A Fair Piece to Go!” Zechariah 12:10-14 Key verse(s) 10:“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication.” Restlessness! When we were children it was not unusual for us to be restless. In fact, it was that restlessness that often got ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 12:10-14

Tags: Holy Spirit Attributes, Holy Spirit In Believers, Cleansing

Denomination: Lutheran

What Does It Mean To Have Joy?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Joy is God’s gift to believers. Paul speaks of more than just a mood. This is a deep confidence that was rooted in God’s sovereign control of the universe, His on unchanging divine promises and eternal spiritual realities including the assurance of ultimate victory for those in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-22, Philippians 4:4

Tags: Spirit Filled Life, Happiness, Joy, Fruit Of The Spirit

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

In Gulf War The Ground Offensive Was Successful ...  PRO

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Aug 9, 2004

IN GULF WAR THE GROUND OFFENSIVE WAS SUCCESSFUL DUE TO AERIAL ATTACK THAT PRECEDED IT On February 24, 1991, a lightning ground offensive was launched by the U.S. and allied forces in the Persian Gulf War. Its effectiveness shattered the defending Iraqi forces. Within days the world’s fourth ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Tags: Prayer In The Spirit, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Semper Fi - Forever Faithful

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Commitment, Faithfulness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Works Of The Flesh, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Amazing Story Of The Waldorf-Astoria

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. "But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Sacrifice, Holy Spirit, Faithfulness, Rewards, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life, Unselfishness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counterfeit Preachers

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 10, 2023

Did you know that counterfeiting of money is one of the oldest crimes in history? Here in America it became a serious problem during the 19th century when banks issued their own currency. In fact, by the time of the Civil War, it was estimated that one-third of all currency in circulation was ...read more

Tags: Spirits, Spirit Of Error, Discernment, Truth, False Teachers, Spirit Of Truth, False Prophets  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good Gossip

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth; but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody.” – Benjamin Franklin I knew a woman once who took a temporary job working for a large ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:28

Tags: Gossip, Evil Tongue, Encouraging Others, Power Of The Tongue

Denomination: Charismatic

The Miracle When Egyptian Christians Were Beheaded!  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 24, 2016

THE MIRACLE WHEN THE EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS WERE BEHEADED The month of February marks the one year anniversary of the 21 Coptic Christians who were martyred on a beach in Libya in North Africa, by Islamic State terrorists. Bishop Demetrios, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Tags: Evangelism, Sacrifice, Romans, Martyr, Good Vs Evil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Angel Of Music

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jun 14, 2023

In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera, a young chorus girl named Christine Daae receives voice training from a mysterious musician she calls the “Angel of Music.” Christine believes this is the angel her dying father had promised to send to complete her musical training. As ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:8, 1 John 4:4

Tags: Evil, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Armor Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A History Of Halloween  PRO

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 25, 2001

A HISTORY OF HALLOWEEN The Celtic festival of Samhain is probably the source of the present-day Halloween celebration. The Celts new year began on November first. A festival that began the previous evening honored Samhain, the Celtic lord of death. The celebration marked the beginning of the ...read more

Tags: Supernatural

Denomination: Baptist

Demons!  PRO

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Feb 25, 2010

DEMONS! There was a time when I told the Lord that I would do whatever He wanted me to do EXCEPT CAST OUT DEMONS and do weird stuff like that with the occult. I now realise that Jesus' power and authority far exceeds that of demons. Oh yes, I believe that demons exist! You don't want to talk ...read more

Tags: Demons

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Recently I Read The Biography Of Norman Grubb, A ...  PRO

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

Recently I read the biography of Norman Grubb, a missionary in Africa and the leader of his mission for 30 years. I was struck by what he wrote: "At conversion we learned that we had not done what we should, but then we soon learn that of ourselves we cannot do what we should." We need the enabling ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Attributes, Love Of The Disciples, Lead, Justification, Holy Spirit In Believers  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Three Levels Of Fruit Bearing

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Galatians 5:19-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit described by Paul in Galatians 5 is not something that is a goal for Christian living produced by the ability of the believer. No, it is the very character of Christ produced within us by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. In ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Spiritual Maturity, Leaders, Spirit Filled Life, Fruit Bearing, Holy Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patience Makes It Happen

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

"The history books are full of stories of gifted persons whose talents were overlooked by a procession of people until someone believed in them. To name a few ... "Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read". Einstein became one of the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Long Suffering, Flesh Vs Spirit, Endurance, Patience, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He's A Liar!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 2, 2023

A missionary to the American Indians was in Los Angeles with an Indian friend who was a new Christian. As they walked down the street, they passed a man on the corner who was preaching with a Bible in his hand. The missionary knew the man represented a cult, but the Indian saw only the Bible. He ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-5, John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: False Teachers, False Teaching, Spirits, Spirit Of Error, Holy Spirit, Satan, Discernment, Truth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have Prayed For A Sick Lady Who Had Cancer, And ...

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Feb 26, 2010

I have prayed for a sick lady who had cancer, and she died. In fact more than one person I have prayed for has died and not been healed. Do you want someone like me to pray for you? Why weren't they healed? Not enough faith? I prayed for a wonderful Pastor who had cancer who was involved in doing ...read more

Tags: Jesus' Ministry

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gehenna: The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 17, 2017

The Hinnom Valley was the place Jesus had in mind when He talked about Hell. The Hebrew word for this valley is, "Gehinnom", and the Greek word is, "Gehenna." The Hinnom Valley was located on the south and west side of the city of Jerusalem. It was a very dark place and many believe it is the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Tags: Faith, Hell, Gehenna

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fishers Of Men

Contributed by Rick Palmer on Oct 15, 2018

While fishing in the dark in a very deep canyon can present very obvious problems it can produce some unexpected experiences as well. It was a warm summer night about 2:00 AM, dark would be an understatement as the moon was nonexistent at least in the bottom of our canyon. Trout was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19, 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, John 16:8

Tags: Filled With The Spirit, Holy Spirit, Sin, Gospel, Righteousness, Spirit Of Truth, Gospel Presentation, Evangelism, Judgement  (view more)  (view less)