In Sermon Illustrations: "Walking In The Spirit" showing 841-860 of 6,029

Churches In Competition Against Each Other

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 5, 2023

Three churches, located on different corners of the same intersection, didn't get along together. One Sunday each of them opened their meeting with a rousing song service. It was a warm day and all the doors and windows were wide open. One congregation began singing the old hymn, "Will ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-7, Philippians 2:5-11

Tags: Division, Worship, Competition, Rivalry, Critical Spirit, Hymns, Enemies, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things We Do Not Know When We See A Brother Sin

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 8, 2024

It was F.B. Meyer, I believe, who once said that when we see a brother or sister in sin, there are three things we do not know: First, we do not know how hard he or she tried not to sin. And second, we do not know the power of the forces that assailed him or her. We also do not ...read more

Scripture: James 1:10-15

Tags: Judging, Lust, Satan, Temptation, Failure, Defeat, Critical Spirit, Sin  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Have A "chip On The Shoulder"?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

Hebrew scholar Gensenius, says that the meaning of the Old Testament word for "meekness" involves "a lowly, pious, and modest mind, which prefers to bear injuries rather than return them." Meekness is not only the opposite of pride, but of stubbornness, fierceness, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Meekness, Beatitudes, Anger, Sensitivity, Sermon On The Mount, Chip On The Shoulder, Spirit Controlled Life  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If A Man Is Filled With Anger, Than Anger ...  PRO

Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on Jul 13, 2001

If a man is filled with anger, than anger controls his life. If a man is filled with greed, then greed dominates his life. If a man is filled with lust, then lust governs his life. If a man is filled with love, then love influences all he does. And if a man is filled with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:18, Romans 8:14-17, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Tags: Dominate, Emotions, Anger, Control, Love Of The Disciples, Holy Spirit In Believers, Greed  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: *other

Going No Where Fast  PRO

Contributed by Philip Cairns on Feb 1, 2002

GOING NO WHERE FAST In his book "Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life", the author Charles Swindoll tells a story about the 19th Century agnostic Thomas Huxley (some of you might know that it was Huxley who promoted Darwinism and Humanism in his attacks on Christianity). Huxley was in Dublin and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22, Exodus 2:11-23

Tags: Holy Spirit In Believers, Hurry, Knowing God's Will, Gospel, Assurance Of Salvation, Busy  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Holiness

9 Characteristics Of Revivals In The Bible

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

In his book Revival Fire, Geoff Waugh lists nine similarities among Biblical revivals: They occurred in times of moral darkness & national depression. Each began in the heart of a consecrated servant of God who became the energizing power behind it. Each revival rested on the Word ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Holy Spirit, Revival, Last Days, Old Testament, New Testament, Church  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lazarus Churches That Are Dead And Stinketh!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 31, 2022

Vance Havner once commented that ministries often begin with a man who has a vision. That vision is captured by others and becomes a movement. As the movement gains followers and momentum, it becomes a machine. After a while, people forget all about the vision and what was once a movement ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Tags: Book Of Acts, Backsliding, Dying Churches, Church, Holy Spirit, Revival, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Idolatry Of Cell Phones

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2023

t’s no surprise that 45% of Americans say that their phone is the most valuable possession. What is surprising is how far our obsessions with cell phones go: Over one-third of Americans (36%) say they’d give up their pets to keep their cell phone. 53% say that in a house fire or other disaster, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 6:1-2

Tags: Cell Phones, Lust, Faithfulness, Idolatry, Time, Fruit Of The Spirit, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Little Known Characters Of The New Testament

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2023

It’s interesting to look at the people Paul publicly affirmed in his letters. When referring to them, the thing he commended was NOT their oratorical skills, or their personality, or their effectiveness, or their wealth, or any of the other things we often value so much in people and leadership. So ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Commitment, Faithfulness, Dependability, Fruit Of The Spirit, Servant Leadership, Works Of The Flesh, Reliablity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fathers Who Talk To Themselves!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 26, 2023

There is a story about a man who stopped in the grocery store on the way home from work to pick up a couple of items for his wife. He wandered around aimlessly for a while searching out the needed groceries. As is often the case in the grocery store, he kept passing this same shopper in almost ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Fruit Of The Spirit, Dads, Children, Parents, Father's Day, Men, Anger, Patience  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Self-Control Inventory

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 27, 2023

Are you struggling with self-control in any of these areas that are addressed in the Book of Proverbs? • Uncontrolled lust. Proverbs 6:26: “For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.” • Uncontrolled spending. Proverbs 21:20: “In the house ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Tags: Proverbs, Money, Lust, Alcohol, Anger, Fruit Of The Spirit, Discipline, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Battles With Self Control

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Mar 5, 2023

FOUR BATTLES WITH SELF CONTROL IN PROVERBS: Uncontrolled lust. (Proverbs 6:26: “For the prostitute reduces you to a loaf of bread, and the adulteress preys upon your very life”). Uncontrolled spending (Proverbs 21:20: “In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:26, Proverbs 21:20, Proverbs 23:29-30, Proverbs 29:11, Galatians 5:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Proverbs, Lust, Spending, Anger, Alcoholism, Drunkenness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Self Control  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seven Facts About False Teachers

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 2, 2023

FALSE TEACHERS... * Have always been in the Church since Acts (Acts 20). * More false teachers will show up near the Rapture of the Church, i.e. “the last days” (II Timothy 3). * False teachers contradict the truth of the Word of God (John 17:17). * False teachers have 3 key wrong doctrines: ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Satan, Discernment, False Teachers, False Teaching, Righteous Judgment  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Everybody Ought To Know!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 17, 2023

I had a friend who pastored in Texas years ago who was going door-to-door to invite people to church and to know Christ. The pastor knocked on one door and an elderly woman answered. He said, “I am here to invite you to our church and to tell you about Jesus Christ. “ The woman said ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Angels, Demons, Rebellion, Lucifer, Spirits, Hell, Satan, Devil  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Saw This Incredible Answer To Prayer For Healing

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Apr 13, 2024

While pastoring a Southern Baptist church in Texas, one day I heard that one of our church members was in the hospital after being bitten by a brown recluse spider. It was a pretty serious situation. The doctor had told the young mom that they may have to amputate her hand if the swelling did not ...read more

Tags: Holy Spirit, Healing, Satan, Prayer, Unity, Anointing, Testimony, Elders, Miracle  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Professor One Day Demonstrated To His Class ...  PRO

Contributed by Johnny Bley on Jul 11, 2001

A professor one day demonstrated to his class the power of an electro-magnet. He placed 2 lbs. of nails on a table with the wires of an electo-magnet under the table. When he flipped the switch, the nails came togehter and he was able to form the nails into various shapes as long as the current ...read more

Tags: Gifts Discernment, God's Omniscience, Holy Spirit In Believers, Oneness, Unity, Power Of Unity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Oil Was Discovered On Some Oklahoma Property ...  PRO

Contributed by Bill Lobbs on Mar 1, 2001

Oil was discovered on some Oklahoma property belonging to an elderly Indian. All his life he had been poverty stricken, just eking out a living. But the discovery of oil had suddenly made him a very wealthy man. The first thing he bought was a very big Cadillac. He wanted the longest car in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-6

Tags: Excercising Faith, Essentials Of Faith, God's Omnipotence, Gift, Holy Spirit Attributes, Prosperity  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

There Are Advantages To Being Able To See. For ...  PRO

Contributed by Howard Flynn on May 17, 2001

There are advantages to being able to see. For example, when I was a seminary student, I went to apply for a driver license. The clerk at the Department of Motor Vehicles asked me to read a line on the eye chart. I responded by reading a series of what I thought the correct letters were. To this, ...read more

Tags: Display, Honor, Holy Spirit Attributes, Kingdom Of God, Lord, Love Of The Disciples, Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Adventist

Praying The Beatitudes

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

PRAYING THE BEATITUDES Blessed are the poor in spirit. Matthew 5:3 Heavenly Father, I want the humility not to be impressed with myself and my accomplishments. Increase in me (John 3:30). More of You, God, none of me. I am overwhelmed with the sense of my spiritual need. I recognize my true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Prayer, Beatitudes, Poor In Spirit, Blessed Are The Meek, Matthew 5, Blessed Are The Pure In Heart  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meekness Is Not Weakness

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 15, 2020

The Greek word for meek in Matthew 5:5 is praus. This word was was also used to describe an animal which has been domesticated, which has been trained to obey the word of a command, which has learned to answer to the reins. It is the word for an animal which has learned to accept control, such as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Meekness, Beatitudes, Gentleness, Fruit Of The Spirit, Sermon On The Mount, Blessed Are The Meek, Matthew 5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational