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Home›Traditions›Pentecostal

Pentecostal Illustrations

The immediate, experiential work of the Holy Spirit and the expectation of spiritual gifts.

Key question: “How does this text reveal the present-day work and power of the Holy Spirit?”

25,762 sermon illustrations through the Pentecostal lens

Historical

Decency and Order in Divine Worship

Propriety demands three conditions: first, that things be done in their proper time; second, that they be kept to their proper use; third, that they be put in their proper place.

1 Corinthians 14:40Universalorder and reverencerestraint versus enthusiasm

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Joseph S. Exell

230 words

Historical

The Near Neighbor's Greater Worth Than the Distant Brother

Exell's 1887 commentary illuminates this paradox of proximity: practical presence surpasses emotional kinship when assistance is required.

Proverbs 26:10Universalpractical love over distant sentimentthe power of present community

Joseph S. Exell

210 words

Historical

False Balances in Life's Providences and Spiritual Worth

Some possess remarkable skill in dwelling exclusively upon dark things: black aspects, wintry phases, deprivations, bereavements, losses.

Proverbs 20:23Universalspiritual perception vs material obsessiondivine providence

Joseph S. Exell

238 words

Historical

A Sound Heart: The Life of the Flesh and Spirit

Exell observes that science itself demonstrates this principle: the passions of grief, disappointment, anger, jealousy, and revenge derange the bodily system in proportion to their strength, while pleasurable emotions rooted in moral virtue give buoyancy and vigor to the body.

Proverbs 13:30Universalmind-body connectionmoral roots of physical disease

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Movie Analogy

Shrek: Confess with Your Mouth (Romans 10:9-10)

In Shrek, the ogre lives behind walls of cynicism and solitude. Donkey keeps talking until the walls crack. Fiona hides her true self until Shrek sees and accepts her anyway. Both must confess what they really are to find love.

Romans 10:9-10Universalconfessionvulnerability

Short92 words

Historical

Love More Effective Than Logic in Winning Hearts

Love proves far more effective than logic in attaining the best ends.

1 Corinthians 16:11UniversalLove's transformative powerHeart-centered persuasion

Joseph S. Exell

228 words

Historical

A Just Conception of God: The Foundation of Wisdom

The latter we enjoy now through faith and hope; but the former is present with us, the certain consequence and necessary attendant upon a mind truly virtuous and religious.

Proverbs 9:10Universalreverent fear of Godproper understanding of divine character

Joseph S. Exell

290 words

Historical

The Sin of Garrulousness: Excessive Speech and Spiritual Peril

Thomas Carlyle observed with prescience: "There is a great necessity indeed of getting a little more silent than we are.

Proverbs 9:19Universalself-control of speechintellectual integrity

Joseph S. Exell

209 words

Historical

Walking with the Wise: The Power of Chosen Company

The *peripateo* (walking) denotes chosen motion—not forced proximity, but intentional association.

Proverbs 13:20Universalspiritual formation through associationthe power of example

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Historical

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin: Justice Perverted by Mob Mood

Everything depends upon the prevailing sentiment of the hour.

Mark 5:55Universalpersecution of the righteouscorruption of legal systems

Joseph S. Exell

239 words

Historical

The Righteous Soul Determines the Body's Satisfaction

This text reveals a profound truth: bodily satisfaction depends entirely upon the soul's condition.

Proverbs 13:25Universalsoul and body integrationrighteousness brings satisfaction

Joseph S. Exell

209 words

Historical

Christian Liberty: Freedom in Service to Others

Joseph Exell's Victorian exposition clarifies what spiritual liberty truly means.

Galatians 4:13Universalliberty in Christparadox of freedom

Joseph S. Exell

218 words

Movie Analogy

The Shining: A Light the Darkness Cannot Overcome (Matthew 5:14-16)

In The Shining, the Overlook Hotel's evil threatens to consume Danny and his mother. But Danny has "the shine"—a psychic gift that calls for help across miles. His light is literally his salvation.

Matthew 5:14-16Universallightdarkness

Short98 words

Historical

Pondering the Path: Self-Consciousness, Moral Choice, and Life's Final Test

Mystery envelops human existence—commonest objects raise unanswerable questions—yet from this unknowable realm emerge four irreversible certainties.

Proverbs 4:26Universalmoral agency and choiceself-examination and reflection

Joseph S. Exell

202 words

Historical

Pride's Degradation: Why Superiority Breeds Ruin

Consider two grave consequences: First, pride subjects a man to the imputation of folly.

Proverbs 29:23Universalconsequences of sinself-deception

Joseph S. Exell

208 words

Historical

The Stranger-Guest Knocking at the Door of the Heart

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.—The Guest of the heart. I. THE STRANGER-GUEST WANTING TO COME IN. When a stranger comes to your door, it matters greatly whether he be mean or great. Who is this Visitor? He...

Revelation 1:20Universaldivine invitationhuman choice

Joseph S. Exell

219 words

Historical

Paul's Apostolic Delicacy: Teaching Truth Without Wounding

He writes, "These things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes." Rather than naming the false teachers at Corinth who had created divisions, Paul applies his corrective principles to himself and Apollos—respected...

1 Corinthians 4:6Universalapostolic authority tempered by compassionScripture as the standard for ministry

Joseph S. Exell

212 words

Historical

The Undefended City: Self-Rule and the Ruined Spirit

The ruined city in Solomon's metaphor depicts precisely this condition.

Proverbs 25:28Universalself-control and spiritual integritythe mind's hierarchy of powers

Joseph S. Exell

231 words

Historical

Charity Without Love: The Hollow Gift of Unburdened Wealth

Exell's Victorian commentary illuminates three fatal substitutes for love-driven charity.

1 Corinthians 13:3Universalthe insufficiency of works without lovehidden motives in charity

Joseph S. Exell

210 words

Historical

The Slothful Man's Lion: Courage Against Worldly Compromise

The coward's shame lies not in what he speaks, but in what he leaves unsaid—his refusal to act.

Proverbs 26:13Universalspiritual courage vs. worldly compromiseinternal struggle with passions

Joseph S. Exell

215 words

Historical

Satan's Filling of the Heart: Deception and Human Responsibility

First, *Satan* (Hebrew: adversary, opponent) is not mere allegory but a real spiritual being, the prince of darkness and accuser of mankind (Job 1:7; Revelation 12:9).

Acts 3:3Universalspiritual warfaremoral responsibility

Joseph S. Exell

202 words

LensLines™

John 7:37-39 — Universal (edgy)

John 7:37-39 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 irritates you, it may be because God is touching the idol you protect.

John 7:37-39UniversalLiving WaterHoly Spirit

Short19 words

LensLines™

Ephesians 2 — Universal (edgy)

Ephesians 2: In context, it doesn’t flatter us—calls us to live the text’s core truth with integrity.

Ephesians 2UniversalGraceReconciliation

Short17 words

LensLines™

Acts 9:36-43 — Universal (edgy)

Acts 9:36-43 doesn’t flatter us; it exposes our excuses and calls them unbelief—today, not someday.

Acts 9:36-43UniversalMiraclesResurrection

Short15 words