Browse Sermon Illustrations
860 illustrations available
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Micah 6:6-8
We read this passage as a clarion call from God to prioritize justice, mercy, and humility over empty rituals. Our tradition sees Micah 6:6-8 as a divine mandate that mirrors God's heart for liberation and justice for the oppressed. This is not merely a personal ethic but a communal charge to embody
Traditional Lens Commentary: Ephesians 4:25-32
We read Ephesians 4:25-32 as a passage that instructs believers on the ethical implications of their new identity in Christ. This section of Scripture calls us to put off the old self and embrace the new life characterized by truthfulness, righteous anger, honest labor, edifying speech, kindness, an
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Ephesians 4:25-32
We read Ephesians 4:25-32 as a practical outworking of our sanctification in the Spirit, rooted in the sovereign grace of God. This passage calls us to live as new creations in Christ, reflecting the transformative power of the covenant of grace. The imperatives here are not mere moral instructions
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ephesians 4:25-32
We read Ephesians 4:25-32 through the lens of Law and Gospel, understanding it as a text that both exposes our sin and guides the baptized life. The Law is evident in the commands to put away falsehood, anger, and corrupting talk, revealing our inability to perfectly fulfill God's demands. Yet, the
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Ephesians 4:25-32
We read this passage from Ephesians 4:25-32 through the lens of our call to live as members of the Body of Christ, emphasizing the moral and communal aspects of our faith. This text instructs us to put away falsehood, speak truth, and build one another up, reflecting the unity and holiness we are ca
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Ephesians 4:25-32
We read this passage as a call to embody the transformative power of community shaped by liberation and justice. Ephesians 4:25-32 speaks to us about living truthfully and righteously, as a beloved community that reflects God's justice and mercy. We see these instructions not merely as moral imperat
Traditional Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:1-7
We read Psalm 46:1-7 as a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty and presence amidst turmoil. This passage assures us that God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble. We see this as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His role as a protector for His people. The imagery of th
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:1-7
We read Psalm 46:1-7 as a profound affirmation of God's sovereignty and providence, emphasizing His unshakeable presence and protection amidst the chaos of this fallen world. This passage situates us within the redemptive-historical context of God's covenantal faithfulness to His people, pointing fo
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:1-7
We read Psalm 46:1-7 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing that God's presence as our refuge and strength is pure Gospel for those weighed down by the Law. This text assures us that despite the chaos and turmoil of the world, God is with us — an ever-present help in trouble. We see this as
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:1-7
We read Psalm 46:1-7 as a profound testament to God's omnipresence and protection, particularly through His Church and its sacramental life. The passage underscores our confidence in God as our refuge and strength, a truth made visible in the grace of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. The wa
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 46:1-7
We read Psalm 46:1-7 as a powerful affirmation of God's presence and deliverance in the midst of chaos and oppression. The text speaks directly to our lived experience of struggle and survival, affirming that God is our refuge and strength — a very present help in times of trouble. This passage reas
Traditional Lens Commentary: Genesis 5:1-32
We read Genesis 5:1-32 as a genealogical account that underscores God's faithfulness in preserving a godly line from Adam to Noah. This passage provides a historical framework that emphasizes the reality of human mortality due to sin, yet also highlights the promise of life through those who 'walked
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Genesis 5:1-32
We read this passage as a crucial segment in the redemptive history, detailing the genealogy from Adam to Noah. It underscores God's sovereign preservation of the covenant line through which the promise of redemption will ultimately come to fruition in Christ. This genealogy is more than a list of n
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 5:1-32
We read Genesis 5:1-32 as a testament to the pervasive reality of sin and death (Law) juxtaposed with the promise of life (Gospel) through God's covenantal faithfulness. This genealogy exposes the Law's harsh truth: all are subject to mortality due to sin, highlighting our need for salvation. Yet, w
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 5:1-32
We read Genesis 5:1-32 as an account that emphasizes the continuity and faithfulness of God’s plan throughout generations. This genealogy, beginning with Adam and leading to Noah, highlights the dignity of human life created in the image of God, as the text begins with 'This is the book of the gener
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Genesis 5:1-32
We read Genesis 5:1-32 as a testament to the faithfulness of God throughout generations. This genealogy is not just a list of names; it is a reminder that God's promise of redemption and liberation continues through each generation despite the trials they face. We see in these verses the continuity
Traditional Lens Commentary: Genesis 29:1-14
In Genesis 29:1-14, we read this passage as an account of God's sovereign providence and covenantal faithfulness, as Jacob meets Rachel by divine orchestration. This narrative demonstrates God's unfolding redemptive plan through the patriarchs, emphasizing the continuity of His promises made to Abra
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Genesis 29:1-14
In Genesis 29:1-14, we read this passage as a profound example of God's covenant faithfulness and sovereign direction in the lives of His chosen people. Jacob's journey to the land of the eastern people is not a random event but part of God's redemptive history, fulfilling His promises to Abraham an
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 29:1-14
In Genesis 29:1-14, we read the narrative of Jacob meeting Rachel as a profound moment within salvation history, emblematic of divine providence and covenantal fidelity. This passage illustrates the unfolding of God's plan through human relationships and encounters, which are sanctified in the conte
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Genesis 29:1-14
We read Genesis 29:1-14 as a story of divine providence and the unfolding of God's liberating plan. Jacob's journey to the land of his ancestors is not just a personal quest but a continuation of God's covenantal promise, echoing the journey of our ancestors towards freedom and deliverance. As Jacob
Traditional Lens Commentary: Genesis 49:1-27
We read Genesis 49:1-27 as a prophetic blessing by Jacob over his sons, which not only reflects the future tribes of Israel but also speaks to the unfolding redemptive history culminating in Christ. The passage is a tapestry of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, illustrating how God works
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 49:1-27
We read Genesis 49:1-27 through the lens of Law and Gospel, seeing Jacob's blessings and curses upon his sons as both a revelation of human sinfulness and a shadow of God's redemptive promise. The passage lays bare the Law's demands as it reveals the character and future of each tribe, highlighting
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 49:1-27
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Genesis 49:1-27 as Jacob's prophetic blessings over his sons, prefiguring the tribes of Israel and, allegorically, the Church. This passage reveals God's providential plan unfolding through human history, culminating in the coming of Christ, the Lion of the t
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Ephesians 6:10-18
We read Ephesians 6:10-18 through the lens of covenant theology, understanding this passage as an exhortation to stand firm in the strength of the Lord because of our union with Christ. The imagery of the armor of God is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God himself is depicted as a warrior.