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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?”
24,009 sermon illustrations through the Pentecostal lens
"Micah's triad points toward new creation: justice is God's setting-things-right project; mercy is His character; humility is our posture. We participate in God's future now. Every act of justice, every deed of mercy, every humble step anticipates the coming kingdom." — N.T.
"More than we ask—our prayers are too small! More than we imagine—our dreams are too limited! Immeasurably more—God exceeds all measurement! His power works in us; His glory fills the church. Dream big; pray bold; expect abundantly above all." — Charles Spurgeon.
"Faith and work must integrate—Sunday worship and Monday labor cannot be compartmentalized. 'As unto the Lord' applies to boardroom and factory floor alike. The inheritance we serve for is coming kingdom; the work we do now participates in that future." — John Stott.
"'He restores my soul'—restoration is a Spirit work. The Hebrew word suggests returning, refreshing, reviving. The Holy Spirit doesn't just comfort; He RESTORES what was lost, broken, depleted. Expect the Spirit to restore your soul today!" — Jack Hayford. Charismatic emphasis on Spirit-restoration.
"In these last days, we need wisdom more than ever—to discern truth from error, to understand the times, to navigate increasing deception. God gives generously to believers seeking wisdom for this church age. Ask for wisdom to live faithfully until He comes." — Warren Wiersbe.
"Note the balance: temptation is common to humanity—we are not unique in our struggles. Yet God is faithful—we are not alone. He limits temptation—we are not overwhelmed. He provides escape—we are not trapped. This is realistic and hopeful: human struggle, divine faithfulness." — John Stott.
"Seek first the kingdom—and the kingdom is visible in the community that lives by Jesus' teaching. The church that practices Sermon-on-the-Mount ethics IS seeking the kingdom. When community is prioritized over accumulation, provision comes through sharing." — Stanley Hauerwas. Anabaptist: kingdom as community.
"The new creation is community perfected—no tears because no betrayal, no death because no violence, no mourning because no loss. The martyrs' tears are wiped; their witness vindicated. The church anticipates this: communities of comfort in a world of tears." — Stanley Hauerwas.
"Christ died for sinners—including those the world calls sinners simply for existing. The rejected, the despised, the disinherited—for these especially, Christ died. 'While we were sinners' is good news to those told they are worthless: God loved you enough to...
"Wake up expecting! His mercies are NEW! Today is not yesterday—fresh anointing, fresh favor, fresh breakthrough! God's faithfulness means today could be the day! The morning mercies carry morning glory. Great is His faithfulness—and great things await!" — Bill Johnson.
"Is God first in YOUR life? Before career, before family, before comfort—is His kingdom your priority? When you put Him first, He promises to take care of everything else. This is personal: YOUR seeking, YOUR priorities, HIS provision for YOU." — Billy Graham.
"Fear paralyzes mission—fear of rejection, failure, persecution. Perfect love liberates: knowing we are infinitely loved, we can risk. Gospel confidence comes not from certainty of success but from security in love. The loved missionary is the fearless missionary." — Tim Keller.
"If there is one maverick molecule in the universe—one molecule running loose outside the plan of God—then God is not sovereign, and if God is not sovereign, He is not God. Romans 8:28 rests on absolute sovereignty: ALL things, without...
"Missionaries face real danger—hostility, rejection, persecution. But the LORD is light in dark places, salvation in dangerous situations, stronghold when vulnerable. Mission courage flows from this confidence: whom shall I fear? The sent ones go with the Sender." — David Bosch.
"The gospel—Christ died for sinners—is the message we take to the nations. Not 'become good enough and God will love you' but 'while you were sinners, Christ died.' Mission announces good news to those who know they don't deserve it.
"Do you know—really know—that nothing can separate YOU from God's love? Not your fears, not your failures, not your doubts. The love of God in Christ Jesus holds YOU personally. This is not doctrine only; it is YOUR assurance. NOTHING separates YOU." — Billy Graham.
"God goes before those who march toward liberation—He knows the danger, He faces the opposition. He is with the persecuted church, the threatened community. He will never forsake His suffering people. This promise is for all who struggle against oppression." — Oscar Romero.
"The Word lights the path of sanctification—showing where we are, where we need to go, how holiness is walked out step by step. Scripture guides the journey of growing in grace. We walk in its light; we are transformed by its truth." — John Wesley.
"'Those who wait'—plural. We wait together. The community that refuses the world's frantic pace, that gathers in patience, that trusts God's timing over efficiency—this community receives strength. Waiting is a communal discipline." — Stanley Hauerwas. Anabaptist: waiting as communal practice.
"We are renewed by looking to Christ—His death and resurrection pattern our experience. What is unseen is Christ at God's right hand; what is eternal is life in Him. Our afflictions share in His sufferings; our renewal participates in His resurrection.
"Christ is the way by His humanity, the truth by His divinity, and the life by both together. In His Person the divine and human meet, and through this meeting we have access to the Father. There is no other...
"Christ IS perfect love incarnate. He cast out fear by entering our fear—fear of death, fear of abandonment. 'It is finished'—in Christ, fear's grounds are removed. We fear no judgment because He bore judgment.
"Immeasurably more—this is theosis. We imagine holiness; God gives participation in divine nature. We ask for help; He gives Himself. The power at work is deifying energy. The abundance is infinite because God is infinite; theosis has no ceiling." — St.
"The law cannot produce delight—only duty, only fear. But the gospel! The gospel shows us a God who delights in us first. Receiving His delight, we delight in Him. Grace produces what law demanded. Our desires are transformed not by...