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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
"In the interior castle of the soul, stillness awaits. 'Be still and know'—this is the prayer of quiet, the contemplative rest in God's presence. Through silence and solitude, we enter deeper rooms of union. In stillness, God speaks; in knowing, we are transformed." — St.
"The substance of faith is Christ; the evidence is Christ. What is hoped for is Christ's kingdom; what is unseen is Christ reigning. Faith is not belief in beliefs but trust in a Person. Christ is what faith grasps; Christ...
"Grace comes to those with nothing to offer—and the disinherited know this best. Those denied worth by society receive infinite worth from God. 'Not of works'—this is good news for those whose work was stolen, whose merit was denied. Grace levels." — Howard Thurman.
"David wrote this Psalm looking forward to the Messiah-Shepherd. Israel awaits the fulfillment when Messiah reigns and literally shepherds His people. But in this church age, we too have the Good Shepherd caring for us until He comes again to shepherd all nations." — J.
"The enslaved sang Psalm 23 in the cotton fields: 'The Lord is my shepherd.' In the valley of the shadow of slavery, they declared a Shepherd who led to freedom. 'I will fear no evil'—not master, not whip, not death.
"'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies'—the oppressed eat while oppressors watch. This is reversal, vindication, dignity restored. The poor feast; the powerful see. God sets the liberation banquet in plain sight of those who...
"In this dispensation, the church holds Israel's calling temporarily: a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Until Israel's restoration, we bear witness. Our identity is unique to this age—chosen from Jews and Gentiles alike, a new people declaring His praises until He comes." — Warren Wiersbe.
"God is not indifferent. He cares—tenderly, personally, like a mother for her child. 'Cast your cares' because the Father's arms are always open. This is the tenderness of God: He delights in taking our burdens. We pray, we confess, we...
"The waters and fires are sanctifying—they purify, they test, they strengthen. We pass THROUGH, not around. Grace sustains us in the passing; we emerge transformed. This is prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace at work: God with us through every refining fire." — John Wesley.
"'You anoint my head with oil'—this is the Spirit's overflow! The shepherd didn't just dab oil; he poured until the cup ran over. God doesn't give the Spirit by measure. When He anoints, He anoints abundantly, lavishly, overflowingly. Expect the overflow!" — A.W.
"Fear involves punishment—but in Christ, punishment is past. Perfect love is matured in us as we grasp the depths of grace. We move from servile fear to filial trust, from cowering to confidence. This is the trajectory of discipleship: from...
"By faith we are ingrafted into Christ so that His death becomes ours. We are not merely inspired by His example; we participate in His crucifixion. His death is our death, legally and mystically. This is the heart of union with Christ." — John Calvin.
"The inheritance Paul mentions is the reward at Christ's judgment seat. Work now; reward comes later. In this church age, we work faithfully, knowing the Lord evaluates all service. Occupy until He comes—and that includes occupational faithfulness. Every job is interim." — Warren Wiersbe.
"Scripture illumines the path of liberation—the Exodus story, the prophets' cries, Jesus' mission to the poor. The Word lights the way toward justice. For the oppressed, Scripture is survival light in very present darkness. The lamp shows the liberating way." — Gustavo Gutiérrez.
"'I will uphold you with my righteous right hand'—the same hand that created worlds holds you. When the devil accuses, when conscience condemns, when circumstances overwhelm—cling to this word. God's right hand is stronger than all that threatens. Fear not!" — Martin Luther.
"Scripture lights our path by revealing the whole story—creation to new creation—and showing us where we stand within it. The Word illumines not just morality but identity: who God is, who we are, where history is going. We find our...
"This is God's personal word to YOU: Fear not, I am with YOU. Not just with humanity in general—with YOU specifically. Whatever you're facing, He faces it with you. Whatever threatens, He is bigger. Take this promise personally: God is YOUR God." — Billy Graham.
"The Christian life is a race—not a sprint but a marathon requiring endurance. We are surrounded by witnesses, encouraged by their example. We lay aside every weight—not just sins but anything that slows us.
"What does God require? Justice, mercy, humble walk—and the Holy Spirit EMPOWERS all three! You can't do justice in your own strength, can't love mercy with a hard heart, can't walk humbly with pride. The Spirit transforms us to live Micah 6:8!" — T.D.
The devil wants you terrified, paralyzed, hopeless. But God says 'Be strong!' This is gospel against fear. When terror comes, cling to the Word: 'I am with you.' Christ has conquered; what can man or devil do? A mighty fortress...
"'No longer I, but Christ'—yet this is not the annihilation of the self but its liberation. The anxious, grasping ego dies; the true self, held in Christ's love, rises. We become most ourselves when Christ becomes our life." — Rowan Williams.
"Paul warns using Israel's failures as examples—the same temptations that tested them test us. But God's faithfulness spans dispensations: He provided escape for Israel, He provides for the church. In these last days, with temptations multiplying, His faithfulness remains constant." — Warren Wiersbe.
"God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes—only we do. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes—only we do. To those who love Him, He works all things—even our mistakes—together for good." — A.W.
"The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, 'My.' He does not say, 'The Lord is the shepherd of the world at large.' He says, 'The Lord is MY shepherd.' The words are in the present tense: not 'The...