In Sermon Illustrations: "Skin And Spirit"

Understanding The Spirit Named Pan

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

THE SPIRIT NAMED PAN Many creatures, or demonic spirits, that have been called mythological gods are not mythological at all. They are real in the kingdom of darkness. Pan’s appearance in mythology is with horns, ears, and legs of a goat on a man’s body. His sudden appearance was supposed to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-18

Tags: Prayer, Demons, Panic, Fasting, Pandemic, Spirits, Satan, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Without The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 19, 2022

David Platt in his book, Radical, has a chapter entitled, "Beginning at the End of Ourselves -- The Importance of Relying on God's Power (Subsection entitled - “Dependent on Ourselves or Desperate for His Spirit?”). This is where I am most convicted as a pastor that I am part of a system ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:11

Tags: Church, Holy Spirit, Pentecost, Power, Pastors, Programs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preserved And Protected By The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2022

When my mother used to make jam, I would watch her pour wax over the top of the preserves until it was at the brim of the jar. She would then carefully wipe some wax around the rim itself and place the rubber-lined lid on tight. The wax and the vacuum caused by the cooling preserves would seal that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preserve, Protection

Power Of Holy Spirit In You

Contributed by John Bright on May 24, 2022

There is NO COMPARISON between the power of satan and the power of the HOLY SPRIT IN YOU. The power of satan is like a little firecracker while the power of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Timothy 1:7, Acts 1:8

Tags: Holy Spirit, Power, Satan

Denomination: Methodist

An Incredible Symbol Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

Gordon Brownville's Symbols of the Holy Spirit tells about the great Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first to discover the magnetic meridian of the North Pole and to discover the South Pole. On one of his trips, Amundsen took a homing pigeon with him. When he had finally reached the top ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Pentecost, Spirit Filled Life, Holy Spirit, Acts, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Ways To Test The Spirits

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 2, 2023

The late A. W. Tozer had some wise counsel on how to test the spirits” from I John 4:1. He posed seven tests to apply to any teaching: (1) How does the teaching affect my relationship with God? Is He magnified and glorified, or diminished? (2) How does the teaching affect my attitude toward ...read more

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

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

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Contentious Spirit - Speaking Strife

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Feb 11, 2025

Here’s a fun fact: You don’t actually have to correct someone when they’re wrong. Shocking, I know! There’s no official appointment letter naming you Earth’s Guardian of Truth and Accuracy. (If there is, it probably got lost in the mail.) Sometimes, it’s okay to just let it go—yes, even if they ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:9, Proverbs 26:21

Tags: Contentious, Strife, Contentious Spirit

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Idea That ’the Spirit Can Work ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 4, 2001

"The idea that ’the Spirit can work somehow,’ that God can bring something out of it if we just sort of throw it out there, is unjustifiable from those who aim to know the living God and can see his integrity and dedication to quality ...read more

Worship In Spirit And In Truth, By Leann Gabel ...  PRO

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on Aug 3, 2001

[Worship in Spirit and in Truth, by Leann Gabel of Amarillo, TX] In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, it didn’t take long before their conversation turned to worship. I would guess that was as hot a topic then as it is today. The woman’s question was sincere, "I know there are two ways to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5

Tags: Church Practices, Bible Truth, Holy Spirit General, Woman At Well

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer Is Exhaling The Spirit Of Man And Inhaling ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 20, 2002

Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. ...read more

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer In The Spirit

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit' Means: ‘blessed ...  PRO

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 23, 2002

“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’ means: ‘Blessed is the man who has realized his own utter helplessness, and who has put his whole trust in God.’ If a man has realized his own utter helplessness, and has put his whole trust in God, there will enter into his life two things which are opposite sides ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Tags: Sermon On The Mount, God's Provision

Denomination: Pentecostal

Labour Mightily For A Healing Spirit. Away With ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2001

Labour mightily for a healing spirit. Away with all discriminating names whatever that may hinder the applying of balm to heal your wounds...Discord and division become no Christian. For wolves to worry the lambs is no wonder, but for one lamb to worry ...read more

Tags: Christian Love, Unity

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Labour Mightily For A Healing Spirit. Away With ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 11, 2001

Labour mightily for a healing spirit. Away with all discriminating names whatever that may hinder the applying of balm to heal your wounds...Discord and division become no Christian. For wolves to worry the lambs is no wonder, but for one lamb to worry another, this is ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Endurance, Forgiveness General

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Lifted Up The Spirit Of A Discouraged ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Feb 10, 2003

Jesus lifted up the spirit of a discouraged preacher who retired early because of what happened to him. "In the Pentecostal Evangel church leader George U. Wood writes: "Have you ever heard a healing take place? I have. I listened to an audiotape of Duane Miller teaching his Sunday school ...read more

Tags: Adversity, Faith, God's Forgiveness, Healing, Overcome, New Ministry, Memories, Miracles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Spirit Filled Souls Are Ablaze For God. They ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 9, 2006

"Spirit filled souls are ablaze for God. They love with a love that glows. They serve with a faith that kindles. They serve with a devotion that consumes. They hate sin with fierceness that burns. They rejoice with a ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit General

The Spirit's Empowerment Is What Allows Us To ...

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 23, 2004

“The Spirit’s empowerment is what allows us to exhibit what He wants – the love, the unity, the sacrifice, the selflessness, the exhibition of the covenantal relationship between Christ and the church, etc. But that means walking with and submitting to the Spirit. To the degree that I / we do ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Holy Spirit Attributes

Denomination: Orthodox

Love And Desire Are The Spirits Wings To Great ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

Love and desire are the spirits wings ...read more

Tags: Desire

The Spirit Of Man Grows In Freedom; It Withers ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The spirit of man grows in freedom; it ...read more

Tags: Political Freedom

The Spirit Of Liberty Is More Than Jealousy For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The spirit of liberty is more than jealousy for your own rights.The love of liberty cannot be separated ...read more

Tags: Friendship General

The Christmas Spirit Of Peace, Hope, And Love ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The Christmas spirit of Peace, hope, and love is the spirit Americans carry with them all year round, everywhere we go.The tree that lights up our country must be seen all the way to heavenits lights ...read more

Tags: Christmas