In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Maturity" showing 261-280 of 2,389

Taste The Goodness Of The Lord

Contributed by David Simpson on Apr 17, 2018

We went out to eat the other night at Provinos and I ordered an Italian dish that was absolutely delicious, Cannelloni Genovese (pasta stuffed with ground veal, spinach, cheese, rosatella sauce and baked). It tasted so good that whenever I go back I’m ordering it again! There’s nothing like food ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Tags: Taste, The Goodness Of The Lord, Crave Spiritual Milk

Denomination: Christian Church

Unexpected Answer

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2021

My sister didn’t do as well on her driver’s-ed test as she’d hoped. It might have had something to do with how she completed this sentence: “When the ______ is dead, the car won’t start.” She ...read more

Tags: Spiritual, Power, Leadership, Animation, Empowered, Fiath  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Spirit Of Fear

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

There was a lady who died in 1916 named Hetty Green. She has been called “America’s greatest miser.” When she died in 1916, her estate was valued at $100 million. But she was so miserly that she ate cold oatmeal in order to save the expense of heating the water. When her son had a severe leg ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Tags: Fear, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Spirit Of Fear

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The People Are Hungry...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 6, 2022

The people are hungry, and the empty religionist offers them some ceremony or empty words that can never satisfy. The people are hungry, and the atheists and skeptics try to convince them that they aren’t hungry at all. The people are hungry, and the religious showman gives them video and special ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Tags: Sheep, Shepherds, Spiritual Hunger, Pastors, Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Soul

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 11, 2023

John Ortberg describes it this way, “We each have an outer life and an inner one. My outer self is the public, visible me. My accomplishments, my work, and my reputation lie there. But inside is my soul that part of me that speaks in silence to others but yells at me. It's the inside stuff of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, Matthew 16:26, Matthew 22:37

Tags: Soul Care, Spiritual Growth, Inner Health

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gang Member's Turf

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

We learned that the belt of truth is a belt of truthfulness. It is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). It is avoiding all forms of lies, hypocrisy, deception, and manipulation because that is the devil’s turf. Gang members in these big cities understand the value of staying on your own turf. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18, Ephesians 4:15

Tags: Safety, Spiritual Warfare, Truthfulness, Lies, Turf  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Quotes On Suffering For Christ

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2021

There is a certain kind of maturity that can be attained only through the discipline of suffering. - D. A. Carson Do not kick against suffering, for in so doing you may be fighting against God. - Spurgeon Life without struggle and difficulty is thin and tasteless. How can a noble life be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:10-12

Tags: Pain, Spiritual Warfare, Discipleship, Suffering, Take Up Your Cross  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Like The Llama And Face Your Enemy!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

Reports the DENVER POST: "Like many sheep ranchers in the West, Lexy Fowler has tried just about everything to stop crafty coyotes from killing her sheep. She has used odor sprays, electric fences, and 'scare-coyotes.' She has slept with her lambs during the summer and has placed ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Stand, Spiritual Armor, Temptation, Satan, Running, Lust, Fear, Battles, Defeat, Victory, Word  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Norman Cates Shared The Humorous Story Of A Guy ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Crow on May 21, 2001

Norman Cates shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17, Matthew 6:11-15, Romans 12:5, Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Spiritual Gifts, What Is Evangelism?, Evangelism Fear Of, Endurance

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Feeding On?  PRO

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 9, 2014

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING ON? I really enjoy visiting Yellowstone. In fact, one of these days, when Jesus comes back, I've got dubs on Yellowstone! Come and visit me for a while! Once when I was visiting the greatest national park in America, I heard a story about bears that was amazing. In the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13, Exodus 12:1-51

Tags: Sanctification, Lamb Of God, Spiritual Growth, Growth In Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tragedy Of Church Conflict

Contributed by Richard Tow on Oct 5, 2020

During one of the wars between the English and French, two war vessels met in fearful encounter. It was too dark to distinguish friends from foes; but each supposed itself engaged with the common enemy. When the darkness lifted, both ships were seen flying the English flag. They saluted each other, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3, Galatians 5:15

Tags: Warfare, Peace, Spiritual Warfare, Conflict, Unity, Strife  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Staying Where You Started!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 2, 2020

The problem is that Christians do not go on with God. They get saved, give a testimony of their salvation, and that’s all they ever have. They never maintain a serious study of the Word of God, which is essential to growth. They are like the little girl who fell out of bed one night. When the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, Colossians 3:1-4

Tags: Christian Life, Spiritual Growth, Running The Race, Perserverance

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember The Duck! (Stop Living In Bondage To Satan)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2022

A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot made by his grandfather. He practiced trying to hit a tin can, but he could never hit it. As he walked across the yard, he saw Grandma’s pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Confession, Covering Sin, Delieverance, Forgiveness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Let The Devil Hang A Nail On Your Door!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 8, 2022

A Haitian pastor illustrated to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ by sharing this parable: A certain man wanted to sell his house for $2,000. Another man wanted very badly to buy it, but because he was poor, he couldn't afford the full price. After much bargaining, ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Commitment To Christ, Strongholds, Satah  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Is Resting My Whole Weight On God!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 23, 2023

When missionary John Paton was translating the Scripture for the South Sea islanders, he was unable to find a word in their vocabulary for the concept of believing, trusting, or having faith. He had no idea how he would convey that to them. One day while he was in his hut translating, a native came ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Revival, Spiritual Fruit, Faith, Faithfulness, Fruit Of The Spirit  (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: Satan, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare, Evil, Armor Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Get Off The Bench And Get In The Game!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 2, 2023

A well-known coach was once asked, “How much does college football contribute to the national physical-fitness picture?” “Nothing,” the coach replied abruptly. “Why not?” the startled interviewer asked. “Well,” said the coach, “the way I see it, you have 22 men down on the field desperately ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-13

Tags: Volunteers, Spiritual Gifts, Service, Ministry, Church, Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Achilles' Heel

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2024

The ancient Greeks told a story of a warrior named Achilles. His mother had been warned that he would die of a wound, so she dipped him as an infant in the river Styx. That was supposed to make him invincible. THERE WAS ONE PROBLEM -- she held him by one heel which the protective waters did not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-15

Tags: Lust, Satan, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Evil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Emily's 9-5 Struggle

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 19, 2024

Emily, a young woman from the MZ generation, recently started her career with a standard 9-5 job. She quickly finds herself feeling trapped and miserable in this routine. Every morning, the thought of going to work at 9 AM and staying until 5 PM feels unbearable to her. She often voices her ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Tags: Comfort, Danger, Purpose, Letting Go, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer As Our Heavy Artillery

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 9, 2024

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul has completed the metaphor of Roman armor. But he is not finished teaching about spiritual warfare. In fact, he has come to the most important weapon in our spiritual arsenal. Prayer is the heavy artillery. Through prayer we call down the bombardment of God against our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, Intercession, Victory, Armor, Battles  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic