Sermons on Testing Spirits:

Holy Spirit Or Lobby Spirit?

Contributed by Brussy Soriton on Sep 5, 2025

True leadership comes from the Holy Spirit, not human lobbying, manipulation, or ambition.

HOLY SPIRIT OR LOBBY SPIRIT? In today’s modern era, many people are racing to pursue positions, titles, or influence by any means possible. We can see this in politics, business, and sadly, even in church ministry. Those who rely on the lobby spirit—the spirit of seeking human support, lobbying, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Joy That Will Last Series

Contributed by Peter Flournoy on Mar 5, 2012

What will happen on the day of investigation for the believer? The purpose of this sermon series is to help Christians bear fruit that will pass the test. In this sermon we cover the fruit of joy.

(Mark 11:12-14) “On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. He said to it, “May ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Focused Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 20, 2015

Following his baptism Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit and is tempted by Satan. His temptation helps him to focus on who he is and what he has been called to do.

Matthew 4:1-17 “Focused” INTRODUCTION It is interesting to see how Hollywood has interpreted the temptation of Jesus. The truth is that we don’t know exactly what happened. No one was present with Jesus, in the wilderness, to record what actually took place. There were no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Characteristics Of The Spirit Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Oct 8, 2011

Paul states that the Christian life is more than just believing in Jesus and coming to worship. The Christian life is about having the Holy Spirit in you. For Paul, this an issue of salvation. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not bel

Characteristics of Life in the Spirit Romans 8:9-11 There was an Italian man who at the turn of the 20th century had to sell everything he had to immigrate to the United States. He barely had enough money to buy a ticket on a ship to the U.S. With what little he had left over, he bought some cheese ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Methodist

Discerning The Spirits

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 29, 2012

Never swallow someone’s line just because he uses terms of the Christian faith. False teachers are popular with the world because they tell people what they want to hear. Here John warns the Christians who faithfully teach God’s Word will not win any popu

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: In an unethical selling technique called the bait-and-switch method, a retailer lures customers into his store by advertising a well-known product at a very low price. When the buyer asks to purchase it, however, he is told that it is out of stock. The salesperson then tries ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Never Crossed His Mind Again

Contributed by Russell (Rusty) Pruitt on Jul 15, 2024

Although Jesus was and is fully God, He was and is fully man. He can feel what we feel because, as the Word says, He was “…in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). We are going to look at how His faith was tested, but He did not sin – not even one time.

IT NEVER CROSSED HIS MIND AGAIN TEXT: HEBREWS 12:1-3 INTRODUCTION: We are told to “consider” Jesus, Who “endured the cross” and despised “the shame.” He endured the shame because of, “the joy that was set before Him.” He is the beginner and finisher of our faith. He walked the way of faith first ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Discerning Spirits Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Jan 23, 2007

Our culture tells us that if something is spiritual, it is "good." John tells us we have to discern the spirits

18 John 4:1-6 January 21, 2007 Discerning Spirits Intro – Franklin episode where they are searching for a talisman to cure his Grandmother. The question in the show is whether the talisman will actually cure the grandmother or whether it is just superstition and not real. There was no room ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: *other

Test 3-4 Of 9: Prophecy Must Glorify Jesus/Prophets-Known By Their Fruit Series

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Nov 29, 2004

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev 19:10). A true prophet will be known by the fruit of the holy spirit in his/her character and conduct (Matt 7:16)

Series: How To Judge Prophecy TEST 3 - ALL TRUE PROPHECY CENTRES IN JESUS CHRIST, AND EXALTS AND GLORIFIES HIM. A) In John 16.13-14 Jesus says: "When he, the Spirit of truth, is come ... he shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." The primary ministry of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23

Denomination: Charismatic

Sword Of The Spirit

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 29, 2014

armor of God. Link inc. to formatted text, audio.

Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 6:17b http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/SwordOfSpirit.html Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. It has all been defensive gear thus far. Now, how about an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit And Identity Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 12, 2005

The Spirit reminds us who we are in Christ.

Knowing The Holy Spirit May 8, 2005 The Spirit and Identity Matthew 3:13-4:11 Donald Miller writes in “Blue Like Jazz,” “everybody wants to be fancy and new. Nobody wants to be themselves. I mean, maybe people want to be themselves, but they want to be different, with different clothes or ...read more

Denomination: *other

Food And Spirits Series

Contributed by Archie Norman on May 8, 2015

a word to the wise

Food and Spirits Proverbs 23:20-21 1. The disturbing acknowledgement we cannot escape A. Food was involved in the fall of the human race - Genesis 3:6 B. Food is involved in the fellowship of God and people - Acts 2:42, 46; Matthew 26:216 C. Food is involved in the test of ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Dueling Spirits Series

Contributed by David Ward on Aug 2, 2003

BIG IDEA: How can we recognize false prophets? By what they say, and by who listens to them.

“Dueling Spirits” 1 John 4:1-6 Introduction: How can you tell if someone is lying to you? [ASK] How do you spot a lie? Some people give it away in their body language--not making eye contact, for example. What about spiritual things? How can we recognize a “false prophet”? This is more ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Christmas Spirit

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 14, 2025

How much of our activity at this season owes more to the Christmas spirit than to the spirit of Christ?

The eternally liberal town of Eugene, Oregon lost their cross a few years ago. It used to overlook the town from Skinner Butte, but after a heated battle it was replaced by an American flag. This year the diversity police focused on a new target. The Christmas tree in the Hult Center for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

The importance of the role of the Holy Spirit is extolled as an additional and vital empirical tool. Empiricism limited to only perception through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch falls short of the epistemological opportunities afforded us by God.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) It should not be misconstrued that Christians believe in three gods. God is one. The Creator Father, the Redeemer Son, and the Counselor Holy Spirit are three manifestations ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Denomination: United Methodist

Another Spirit-A Different Spirit.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 5, 2023

The question asked throughout scripture is, “Whose report will you believe?” Our whole basis for Christianity is the faith factor. The just shall live by faith. Romans 12:3b...God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Another Spirit-A Different Spirit. Isaiah 53:1AMP The question asked throughout scripture is, “Whose report will you believe?” Our whole basis for Christianity is the faith factor. The just shall live by faith. Romans 12:3b...God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Isaiah 53:1 Who ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1

Denomination: Pentecostal