theological quote

Jim Wallis on Public Faith - Progressive (Matthew 5:14-16)

Source: Jim Wallis48 words

"Light exposes darkness—injustice, oppression, lies. The church as city on a hill is meant to model an alternative: a community of justice, equality, peace. Our good works are social witness: feeding hungry, housing homeless, welcoming stranger. The world sees and glorifies God." — Jim Wallis. Progressive: public witness.

Topics & Themes

exposesinjusticealternativesocial witnesscommunity

Scripture References

Matthew 5:14-16

Emotional Tone

hopejoypeace

Audience

adults

Powered by ChurchWiseAI

This illustration is a preview of what our AI-powered ministry platform can do. ChurchWiseAI offers a full suite of tools built for pastors and church leaders.

Sermon Companion

Build entire sermons with AI — outlines, illustrations, application points, and slide decks tailored to your tradition.

Ministry Chatbot

An AI assistant trained on theology, counseling frameworks, and church administration to help with any ministry question.

Bible Study Builder

Generate discussion guides, devotionals, and small group materials from any passage — in minutes, not hours.

Try any app free for 7 days — no credit card required.

Get Started

More Illustrations for Matthew 5:14-16

4 more illustrations anchored to this passage

🎬movie analogyUniversal

Erin Brockovich: Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:14-16)

In Erin Brockovich, a twice-divorced single mother with no legal training uncovers a massive corporate cover-up poisoning a town's water. She has no credentials—just tenacity and a heart for the victi

lightjusticecourageMatthew 5:14-16
🎬movie analogyUniversal

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. "A

lightdarknessgiftMatthew 5:14-16
🎬movie analogyUniversal

It Is a Wonderful Life: What If You Had Never Been Born (Matthew 5:14-16)

George Bailey in It Is a Wonderful Life wishes he had never been born, and Clarence the angel grants his wish. George discovers Bedford Falls has become Pottersville - without his quiet heroism, every

significancecommunitydespairMatthew 5:14-16
🎬movie analogyUniversal

It's a Wonderful Life: One Life's Ripple Effect (Matthew 5:13-16)

George Bailey stands on a bridge, convinced the world would be better without him. Clarence the angel shows him Bedford Falls without his influence—a dark, cruel Pottersville. Every act of kindness, e

lightinfluencecommunityMatthew 5:13-16

Related Illustrations

💬theological quoteInerrantist

Gustavo Gutiérrez on Light for Liberation - Liberation (Matthew 5:14-16)

"Light exposes injustice, illuminates paths of liberation. The church must be visible light in dark places of poverty, oppression, exploitation. Good works are not charity but solidarity, not patroniz

exposesliberationpovertyMatthew 5:14-16
adults
💬theological quoteReformed

Walter Brueggemann on Prophetic Light - Progressive (Psalm 119:105)

"God's Word illumines paths of justice. The prophetic word exposes darkness—injustice, oppression, exploitation. Scripture is not just personal guidance but public light: showing the way toward belove

justicepropheticexposesPsalm 119:105
adults
Back to all illustrations