In Sermon Illustrations: "Power Of The Holy Spirit"

Willie Stargell And The Pittsburgh Pirates' Family

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

Teammates of the late Willie Stargell called him "Pops" because of his leadership both on and off the baseball field. In 1979, when Stargell led the Pittsburgh Pirates to their second World Series title, the team was nicknamed "The Family" because of their close relationship and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-11, Philippians 2:1-11

Tags: Prejudice, Diversity, Body Of Christ, Baseball, Family Of God, Love, Fellowship, Holy Spirit, Team, Unity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[030] A Message From A Poem – Beauty From Ashes

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 18, 2025

[030] A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – BEAUTY FROM ASHES One of the deepest emotions we have is shame. Shame happens when sin has caused havoc in a person’s life, and the realisation of it bursts like a cloud over the person. Shame brings guilt and guilt can affect a person greatly, even causing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:10, Psalm 51:1-2, Psalm 51:12, 1 John 1:7-9

Tags: Ashes, Sinning, Repentance, Guilt, Shame, Bathsheba, Conviction, Poetry, David, Forgiveness, Beauty, Holy Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jack Benny Was Rather Shy When He Was Young. One ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 21, 2001

Jack Benny was rather shy when he was young. One day at work he saw a young lady that greatly attracted his attention. But he was too shy to speak to her. So he went to the florist & ordered one red rose to be sent to her without any card enclosed. And every day he repeated that order. Well, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:5-13, Genesis 2:18-27, Ephesians 5:25-33

Tags: Power, Marriage Obligations, Romantic Love, Marriage Commitment

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

James Hunter In His Book "The Servant" Presents A ...  PRO

Contributed by Paul Newell on Aug 29, 2001

James Hunter in his book “The Servant” presents a powerful picture of what it really means to be a leader/servant. He shares: leadership is ultimately rooted in our will. Not forcing our will on others, but demonstrating our will to serve. There is a big difference between leading through power ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-12, Matthew 23:1-12

Tags: Authority, Servant, Servanthood, Power, Leadership General, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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

Trust In The Lord To Fix It

Contributed by James Ledbetter on Feb 3, 2015

A friend pastor of mine once told me a story about trusting in the Lord to fix what is broken. A certain man and his pastor traveled to preach a sermon at another church. And when finished they went to a store to look around. The man bought a doll for his daughter and took it home and gave it to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-4, Psalm 40:1-40

Tags: All-Powerful God, Book Of Psalms, Trust Jesus

Denomination: Apostolic

One Major Difference Between God And Us

Contributed by Ryan Johnson on Oct 13, 2016

You may plan to go on a picnic on a certain day, but can you be sure you will be able to do what you plan? What could happen to prevent you from going on that picnic? It could rain. You could get sick. You could get a flat tire... Many things could happen to keep us from accomplishing what we ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:9-11

Tags: God's Power, Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, Being Human

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Thanksgiving Ever

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Dec 27, 2014

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” – Epictetus They lived a comfortable life in the upscale part of town, the children were teen and pre-teen then and had most anything their hearts desired. They had begun to recite their ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Gratitude, Serving Others, Giving Spirit

Denomination: Charismatic

Baksheesh

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 27, 2018

Donald Barhhouse says, “One of the first words learned by the traveler in India is “baksheesh.” Multitudes of begars hold out their hands and say this one word. Preaching through an interpreter, I had occasion to speak of salvation as the gift of God. I emphasized the word. It is a gift. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3, Titus 3:5

Tags: Salvation, Poor In Spirit, Gift Of God

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On Being A Friend!

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jun 28, 2021

NASCAR driver Bill Elliot won the most popular driver award 16 times. In 2003 he withdrew his name from the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Encouragement, Friendship, Kindness

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unsung Heroes: They Helped A Desperate Father

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 14, 2023

Introduction: True friends are those willing to help. These unsung heroes helped a desperate father bring his son to Jesus. Text, Mark 9:17-20a, KJV: 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:17-20

Tags: Jesus, Evil Spirits, Unsung Heroes

Denomination: Baptist

Let God Do The Watering!" Mark 4: 1-20: Key ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Aug 4, 2004

“Let God Do the Watering!” Mark 4: 1-20: Key verse(s): 11-12 “He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and every hearing but never understanding; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:10-20

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of, Evangelism How To

Denomination: Lutheran

Ten Things To Know About The Love Of God - Devotional

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 12, 2023

There are 10 key points about the Love of God in I John 4:7-21: 1. LOVE IS OF GOD (4:7) - not that God is love only. He is not limited or bound by anything. So, what is love? Study I Corinthians 13...... There are 3 Greek words (agape, phileo, eros). This love is agape, unconditional, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, Romans 5:8, John 3:16

Tags: Agape, God's Love, Hate, Unforgiveness, False Prophets, Unbelievers, Evangelism, Love, Christ, Holy Spirit, Missions, Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Judge A Man By The Reputation Of His Enemies. ...  PRO

Contributed by Carlton Coon on Dec 27, 2000

Judge a man by the reputation of his enemies. ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Love Of The Disciples, Holiness

Denomination: Pentecostal

In The Fifties The Major Discipline Problems In ...  PRO

Contributed by Harold White on Jan 5, 2001

In the fifties the major discipline problems in our public schools were cigarette smoking,skipping class, running in the halls, spit balls, chewing gum, and whispering in class. Today - the major problems are deadly weapons - kids carrying guns, knifes, and even assault weapons. This is followed by ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Holiness, Sin Exposed

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Friend Of Mine Recently Told Me About An ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

A good friend of mine recently told me about an incident that happened to him that explains why a person can worship, and yet still not know God. It all began before the plane took off. Roger Williams III was sitting in the window seat and was looking forward to thumbing through a magazine on a ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Apologetics General, Church General

Denomination: Baptist

Alexander Whyte Said, “ It Would Change ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 23, 2001

Alexander Whyte said, “ It would change your whole heart and life this very (day) if you would take Peter and Cornelius home with you and lay them both to heart. If you would take a four cornered napkin when you get home, and a…. Pen and ink and write the names of the nations, and the churches, and ...read more

Tags: Holiness, God's Provision, Forgiveness For Others

Denomination: Baptist

I Love Jesus—and Buddha Too  PRO

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

I LOVE JESUS--AND BUDDHA TOO I’ve made my choice," wrote the basketball star. "I love Jesus Christ and I try to serve Him to the best of my ability. How about you?" No, those are not the words of David Robinson, A. C. Green or any other Christian currently playing in the NBA. That testimony is ...read more

Tags: Apologetics General, Holiness, World Religions

Denomination: Baptist

The Fight  PRO

Contributed by Bruce Goettsche on Oct 18, 2000

John White, Have you ever gone fishing in a polluted river and hauled out an old shoe, a tea kettle, or a rusty can? I get a similar sort of catch if I cast as a bait the word holiness into the murky depths of my mind. To my dismay I come up with such associations as: thinness hollow-eyed ...read more

Tags: Holiness, Apologetics General, Disciplines General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter Marshall Said "We Are Too Christian Really ...  PRO

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 31, 2000

Peter Marshall said “We are too Christian really to enjoy sinning, and too fond of sinning really to enjoy Christianity. Most of us know perfectly well what we ...read more

Tags: Doing God's Will, Sin General, Holiness

Denomination: Wesleyan