In Sermon Illustrations: "Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit"

The Church Is Not Selfish - President Kennedy Quote

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 9, 2025

Our society ... the world in which we live ... is a self-first ... a self-oriented society. The big question ... often asks by those in the world is ... "What's in it for me?" or "How will I benefit from this?" However, ... we as followers of the Christ ... are a new ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:4, James 3:8-10, John 13:15, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Body, Self, Selfish, Individual, Benefit, Caring, Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

If We Look At The Beatitudes, Not As Just ...

Contributed by David Tack on Oct 26, 2012

"If we look at the Beatitudes, not as just external forms of showmanship but as internal heart produced temperaments, 99.9 % of Christian believers can’t help but see their blatant shortcomings and urgent need for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8

Tags: Sin, Sermon On The Mount

Denomination: Baptist

One Of The Powerful Figures In Wall Street Fell ...  PRO

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 29, 2001

One of the powerful figures in Wall Street fell in love with an actress. For many months he was always seen escorting her about in the fashionable circles of town. Deciding to marry her, he first put a private detective to the job of looking into her former dealings and friends in order to guard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37-42

Tags: Holiness, Gossip, Judgment, Romantic Love, Reputation, Pride  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resolved, Never To Do Anything, Which I Should Be ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Temptation Resisting, Sin Separates From God

Simeon The Pillar Hermit

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Aug 28, 2024

Simeon was probably like most boys his age in A.D. 403. The 13-year-old spent much of his time caring for his father's flocks on the hillside of Cilicia. But one day, while listening to a sermon on the beatitudes, stirred and changed he left his home and family and began a lifelong pursuit of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Tags: Finding God, Monks, Intimacy With God, Separation, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Doctrine Of Atonement

Contributed by John Bright on Mar 1, 2025

We need to have core beliefs that do not change over time – NO MATTER WHAT! The doctrine of atonement is under attack today. It is attacked by folks who look at humans and see each one as basically good who occasionally do bad things. They talk about each person’s freedom to become your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:17

Tags: Scripture, Atonement, Authentic, Holy God, Fallen World  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

God ... Does Not Lavish His Children With A ...  PRO

Contributed by Larry Thornton on Nov 23, 2006

God ... does not lavish his children with a jolly discipleship so that they may swim in spiritual ecstasy between conversion and death. God is a giver, but he does not give happiness. He gives redemption, meaning, security, love, victory, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And happiness is ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Romans 6,7 & 8 Compared & Contrasted

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 15, 2019

Romans 6 deals with the believer being dead to Sin. Romans 7 deals with the believer being dead to the Law. Romans 8 deals with the believer being alive in the Spirit, who gives us the power to life the "victorious ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-13

Tags: Sin, Dead To Sin, Alive In Christ, The Law

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Excess Baggage

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Dec 2, 2020

In 1845, the ill-fated Franklin Expedition sailed from England to find a passage across the Arctic Ocean.The crew loaded their two sailing ships with a lot of things they didn't need: a 1,200-volume library, fine china, crystal goblets, and sterling silverware for each officer with his initials ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-4, Matthew 6:33

Tags: Vision, Worldliness, Spiritual Victory, Habits, Spirit Filled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Things The Bible Does For Us

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 4, 2021

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for: 1. Doctrine—what is right 2. Reproof—what is not right 3. Correction—how to get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:1-3

Tags: Teaching The Word, Bible, Scripture, Doctrine, Inerrancy, Sword Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gossipping Preacher

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 5, 2021

Three preachers from the same small town in Texas were out fishing together, just getting away from the busy pace of a minister's schedule. All alone in a boat together, they began to open up and confess things in their lives. The first preacher said, "Well, I hate to admit it, but I ...read more

Tags: Gossip, Critical Spirit, Rumors, Preachers, Backbiting, Tale Bearing  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pretty Good Preaching For A Dollar!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Nov 20, 2022

A man and his ten year-old son were on a fishing trip miles from home. At the boy’s insistence, they decided to attend the Sunday worship service at a small rural church. The father forgot to bring any cash, so he reached in his pocket and gave his son a dollar to drop into the offering plate as ...read more

Tags: Giving, Stewardship, Complaining, Tithing, Critical Spirit, Cheating God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Superman Don't Need No Airplane!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 16, 2023

In Muhammad Ali’s heyday as the heavy weight champion of the world in boxing, he had taken his seat on a 747 jet which was starting to taxi down the runway for take off. The flight attendant walked by and noticed Ali did not have on his seatbelt, and said, “Please fasten your seatbelt, ...read more

Tags: Humility, Demons, Pride, Flesh, Spirit, Satan, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Momma, Kiss Me!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 2, 2023

William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice to the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little daughter and endanger her life by breathing the child's ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Death, Love, Sacrifice, Children, Agape, Mothers, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You're Not Home Yet!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Feb 25, 2023

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Missionaries, Heaven, Faithfulness, Spiritual Fruit, Rewards, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evolution Is The Problem - And The Solution?

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 19, 2023

Gov Pritzker (Illinois) gave the 2023 Commencement Address at North Eastern University "… Whenever we see someone who doesn't look like us, or sound like us, or act like us or love like us, or live like us - the first thought that crosses almost everyone's brain is rooted in either ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:23, Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 139:14, Romans 7:21-25, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:17-19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Evolution, Compassion, Salvation, Kindness, Education, Humanity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Pilot Who Shot Himself Down!

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Jan 28, 2024

Chuck Yeager, the pilot who first broke the time barrier, revealed some interesting tidbits from aviation history in his autobiography. One of the most unusual happened at Edwards Air Force Base in the late 50s. A test pilot diving in a Mach-2 fighter actually outraced the shells from his ...read more

Tags: Endurance, Gentleness, Patience, Pace, Slow Down, Fruit Of The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Satanic Counterfeits

Contributed by Garris Hudson on Oct 14, 2024

SATANIC COUNTERFEITS Satan has his own trinity – devil, beast, false prophet (Rev. 16:13). Satan has his own church – “the synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9). Satan has his own ministers (II Cor.. 11:4). Satan has his own doctrine – “the doctrines of devils” (I Timothy 4:1). Satan has his own ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:13, 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Corinthians 10:20

Tags: Evil, Satan, Devil, Demons, False Teachers, Spirits, Counterfeits  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Opened Eyes

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 11, 2025

Thomas Watson, the great Puritan preacher, said: "Bless God, you his saints, that he has removed your spiritual cataract, and has enabled you to discern those things ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:31, 2 Corinthians 3:16

Tags: Understanding, New Birth, Regeneration, Enlightenment, Insight, Spirit's Work  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Word Is A Sword

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 28, 2026

BIBLE ".... My word will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." END (Isaiah 55:11) So, unlike any other book, ... the Scriptures are (1 Finger) Living ...... (2 Fingers) and active and: (3 Fingers) Thirdly, ... It is a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:11, Mark 14:47, Hebrews 4:12-16

Tags: Spirit, Soul, Alive, Living, Sword, Word, Piercing, Joints  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican