In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Victory" showing 321-340 of 2,796

Discover Your Style Of Evangelism

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 4, 2022

A true heart of compassion will let those on the way to destruction know they can escape, but the only escape is through Jesus Christ. We need to tell people they're in trouble with God and that God alone has provided a way to escape. But how? Do we all have to share the same way? No, the ...read more

Tags: Great Supper, Styles, Service, Gospel, Parables, Witnessing, Spiritual Gifts, Methods, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Before You Yield To Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Dr Warren Wiersbe has some excellent words we all need to keep on the "front burner" of our mind so that we have our loins (minds) girded for action (before) the next time we are tempted to commit some flagrant, presumptive, abominable sin against our Holy, Holy, Holy God. BEFORE you ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Lust, Lies, Satan, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Trials, Tribulation, Deception, Yield  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Brother George Honeycutt Tells A Real Life ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Roper on Apr 8, 2008

Brother George Honeycutt tells a real life adventure story about a friend of his who refused to surrender to preach the word of God. During WWII his friend was aboard a destroyer in the North Atlantic, when torpedoes were spotted rapidly approaching his ship. His Friend prayed “Lord I’ll preach ...read more

Tags: Physical, Spiritual, Call, Preaching, Faithful, Protect, Surrender, Pray, Saved, Easter Good Friday  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

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, Fruit Bearing, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Maturity, Spirit Filled Life, Leaders  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incredible Value Of One Child

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 12, 2023

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Spiritual Fruit, Souls, Success, Faithfulness, Evangelism, Fruit Of The Spirit, Flesh, Holy Spirit, Children  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incredible Power Of Aspen Tree Seeds (Facing Trials)

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2023

Last winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, John 16:33

Tags: Difficulties, Faith, Temptation, Spiritual Growth, Tests Of Faith, Tribulation, Trials, Joy, Problems, Perserverance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Big Fat Lie Of Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

John Piper says that sin (lust for example) "gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be much happier if I will follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier." And all of God's children ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Deception, False Teaching, Happiness, Lusts, Lies, Satan, Tests, Truth, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How The Zulus Catch A Monkey

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

Men who trap animals in Africa for zoos in America say that one of the hardest animals to catch is the ringtailed monkey. For the Zulus of that continent, however, it's simple. They've been catching this agile little animal with ease for years. The method the Zulus use is based on ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Deceit, Defeat, Battles, Greed, Lies, Lust, Sin, Satan, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare, Traps  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Lead us not into temptation! A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile for a police officer to read. "I've circled the block for 20 minutes. I'm late for an appointment, and if I don't park here, I'll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15, 1 Corinthians 10:13

Tags: Faith, Forgiveness, Trial, Test, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare, Satan, Prayer, Police Officers, Lust  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Choices And Consequences

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 16, 2024

Once, there was a traveler named Samuel, whose heart was set on reaching a city famed for its eternal beauty and joy. However, during his journey, he stumbled upon a quaint, comforting village. Lured by its immediate solace, Samuel decided to rest there for a while. As days turned into weeks, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14

Tags: Spiritual Goal, Losing Sight, Journey, Christian Dilemma, Earthly Comfort, Eternal Joy, Heaven  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stand By Me

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 13, 2024

STAND BY ME I played the video of the song, "Stand By Me" by Home Free in a recent worship service right before I came up to preach. Our people wondered: "Pastor Larry, why play a secular song for a Sunday morning service??" Maybe I need to share what I discovered about the ...read more

Tags: Marriage, Support, Loyalty, God's Promises, Hymns, Friends, Songs, Black Spirituals, Gospel Songs  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Venom In Our Veins

Contributed by Matt Neace on Oct 5, 2018

Describing the new movie, Venom, Greg Morse writes: He was a journalist once. Eddie Brock investigated corruption, fought on behalf of the oppressed, and tried to make a difference in the world. He was trying to take down evil - until he was "taken" by it. An alien, a symbiote, a hungry beast ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-20, Romans 8:20-21, John 1:5

Tags: Human Condition, Human Nature, Sin Nature, Sin, Evil, Satan, Devil, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Hard To Ignore And Easy To Miss

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

In a Christmas sermon, David Devine relates a story that appeared in the Washington Post last year... “He emerged from the Metro at the Plaza Station and positioned himself against a wall beside a trash basket. By most measures, he was nondescript: a youngish white man in jeans, a long-sleeved ...read more

Tags: Prophecy, Mary, Manger, Joseph, Shepherds, Spiritual Blindness, Bethlehem, Birth Of Christ, Angels, Christmas, History  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Famous Authors Who Mocked God

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 9, 2023

Ernest Hemingway became famous for snubbing his nose at morality and at God, declaring that his own life proved a person could do anything he wanted without paying the consequences. Like many others before and after him, he considered the ideas of the Bible to be antiquated and outdated, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7

Tags: Reaping, Unbelievers, Truth, Sowing, Spiritual Blindness, Mocking God, Judgment, Lost, Atheists, Infidels, Irreverence  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Ways To Win The Battle With Lust

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 9, 2024

Four practical ways to overcome temptation: (1) Study and know yourself. Know where you’re vulnerable and devise strategies to protect yourself. Others may be able to handle situations where you will fall. Don’t go with them if it is a source of temptation for you. Develop a deep distrust in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Pornography, Lust, Look, Satan, Sexuality, Spiritual Warfare, Temptation, Deception, Desire, Adultery, Eyes, Holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freezing To Death Can Actually Make You Feel Warm...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 22, 2024

The man huddled on the cabin floor was slowly freezing to death. It was high in the Rockies in southwestern Alberta, and outside a blizzard raged. John Elliott had logged miles that day through the deep snows of the mountain passes. As he checked for avalanches and as dusk and exhaustion overcame ...read more

Tags: Deception, Dogs, Death, Sin, Satan, Rescue, Salvation, Spiritual Death, Messengers, Lost, Wake Up, Witnesses  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reason Why Churches Are Dying Today...

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on May 31, 2022

"Many churches today are filled to overflowing with those who want their ears tickled with the myths of easy believism and so called positive thinking. They come to have their egos fed and their sins approved, not to have their hearts cleansed and their souls saved. They want only to feel ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Tags: Deception, Church, Bible, False Teachers, Gospel, Spiritual Milk, Truth, Pastors, Preaching, Last Days, Word Of God  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin - A Moment Of Pleasure For A Lifetime Of Pain

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

While a man and his wife were shopping at a mall, a shapely, young woman in a short, form-fitting dress strolled by catching the attention of everyone. Without even thinking, the eyes of the husband followed the attractive woman as she walked ahead of the couple. Without even looking up from the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Wives, Arguments, Husbands, Eyes, Satan, Sin, Sex, Temptation, Spiritual Warfare, Lust, Marriage, Pornography, Pleasure, Pain  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does Hope Do For Mankind?  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 15, 2000

What Does Hope Do For Mankind? Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest. Hope motivates when discouragement comes. Hope energizes when the body is tired. Hope sweetens while bitterness bites. Hope sings when all melodies are gone. Hope believes when evidence is eliminated. Hope listens for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32, Romans 8:12-25, Daniel 3:1-28, Colossians 1:5, Romans 15:13, 1 John 2:4-5, Psalm 42:5, Luke 11:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Glory, God Brings Hope, Hope, Living Hope, Mountain, Obstacles, Praise, Compassion, Care, Faith, Encouragement, Qualify, Sun, Victim, Victory, Thankfulness, Thanks  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

When Darkness Is Mentioned In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 6, 2024

In the Bible, darkness is a powerful metaphor that carries both physical and spiritual significance. Let’s explore its various meanings: Physical Darkness: Genesis 1:4: God separated light from darkness during the creation of the world. Darkness represents the absence of light, ...read more

Tags: Evil, Satan, End Times, Prophecy, Judgment, Last Days, Rapture, Signs, Return Of Christ, Spiritual Darkness, Kingdom Of Darkness, Solar Eclipse, Darnkness  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational