Browse Sermon Illustrations
816 illustrations available
St. Augustine on Rest in God Alone - Catholic (Matthew 11:28-30)
"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. This is what Jesus offers: Himself as our rest. The soul created for God finds rest nowhere else—not in plea
John Wimber on Exchanged Life - Charismatic (Galatians 2:20)
"It's not about trying harder; it's about dying. When I stop living my own life and let Christ live through me, His power flows. The exchanged life is the miracle life—not my ability but His life IN m
John Piper on God-Dependent Strength - Reformed (Isaiah 40:31)
"'They shall renew their strength'—not generate it, but RENEW it. The strength is God's, given to those who wait. This is the heart of the Reformed vision: we are utterly dependent on grace. Our soari
Howard Thurman on Waiting Through the Night - Black Church (Isaiah 40:31)
"The enslaved knew how to wait. Through centuries of night, they waited on the Lord. And they did not faint. Weeping endured for the night, but joy came. Their strength renewed generation after genera
John Wesley on Prevenient Grace - Wesleyan (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Grace goes before us, awakening us to our need. Grace enables the faith by which we receive salvation. Grace sustains us after we believe. All is grace—but grace that invites response. We contribute
Pope Benedict XVI on Spiritual Worship - Catholic (Romans 12:1-2)
"'Your spiritual worship'—logike latreia—reasonable worship, worship that engages the whole person. The Eucharist is our sacrifice joined to Christ's. We offer ourselves on the altar alongside the bre
Jon Sobrino on Bodies for Justice - Liberation (Romans 12:1-2)
"'Present your bodies'—not disembodied spirituality but bodies on the line for justice. The martyrs offered their bodies literally. Transformation is not just mental but embodied: hands that serve, fe
T.D. Jakes on Spirit-Empowered Courage - Pentecostal (Joshua 1:9)
"God didn't say 'feel courageous'—He said 'BE strong'! Courage is a choice empowered by the Spirit. When fear whispers, the Spirit roars! You have resurrection power inside you. Step out boldly—God is
John Wesley on Grace That Strengthens - Wesleyan (Isaiah 41:10)
"God strengthens, helps, upholds—but we must receive the strength offered. 'Fear not' is invitation to trust. Grace enables courage; we respond with faith. God's hand is extended; we grasp it. His pre
Bill Johnson on Presence That Destroys Fear - Charismatic (Isaiah 41:10)
"When God's presence shows up, fear has to leave! 'I am with you'—when the King arrives, fear bows. Soak in His presence; let it displace every anxiety. His right hand upholds supernaturally. You're n
A.W. Tozer on God's Presence Against Fear - Traditional (Isaiah 41:10)
"Fear not—because I AM with you. The remedy for fear is presence, not explanation. God does not always tell us why we suffer; He tells us He is there. 'I will strengthen you'—this is promise upon prom
Tim Keller on Peace That Enables Mission - Missional (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Anxious missionaries are ineffective missionaries. Peace that guards our hearts frees us for faithful presence. We cannot offer peace we do not possess. Prayer produces peace; peace enables witness.
Charles Stanley on God-Given Power - Traditional (2 Timothy 1:7)
"God has NOT given us a spirit of fear—let that sink in. Fear does not come from God. What comes from God? Power, love, and a sound mind. When fear grips you, remember: this is not from your Father. C
E. Stanley Jones on Active Stillness - Wesleyan (Psalm 46:10)
"Stillness is not inactivity but receptivity—active openness to God. We choose to be still; we decide to know. Grace meets us in the stillness, but we must position ourselves there. This is spiritual
Pope Benedict XVI on God IS Love - Catholic (Romans 8:38-39)
"God IS love—and nothing can separate us from this divine love revealed in Christ. The love from which nothing separates is not sentiment but the very being of God. United to Christ through baptism, s
E. Stanley Jones on Daily Receiving - Wesleyan (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"New every morning—we must receive them daily. Yesterday's grace was for yesterday; today we receive today's portion. This is partnership: God gives; we receive. Each morning is fresh invitation to tr
Charles Spurgeon on Personal Stillness - Baptist (Psalm 46:10)
"Be still, my soul—you, personally, in your situation. Know that HE is God—the God who sees you, knows you, loves you. In your stillness before Him, you will find what striving could never give: the k
David Bosch on Missionary Security - Missional (Romans 8:38-39)
"The missionary faces danger, hardship, persecution—but nothing can separate us from Christ's love. This is missionary security: not safety from harm but certainty of love. We go anywhere because no '
Karl Barth on Christ as Mercy - Christocentric (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"God's mercies find their fullness in Christ—He is the steadfast love that never ceases. Each morning we wake to Christ, to His finished work, to His living presence. 'Great is Thy faithfulness' is su
John Calvin on Incomprehensible Wisdom - Reformed (Isaiah 55:8-9)
"God's thoughts are infinitely higher—His wisdom incomprehensible. We cannot fit Him into our categories; our theology always falls short. This produces humility before mystery and confidence in sover
Lesslie Newbigin on Hope That Sustains - Missional (Revelation 21:4)
"This vision sustains mission: we work toward a world without tears. God's future breaks into our present; we are signs of coming comfort. Every tear we wipe now anticipates the final wiping. Mission
Stanley Hauerwas on Faithful Community - Anabaptist (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"'Great is Thy faithfulness'—sung by communities, not just individuals. The church together experiences daily mercy, shares daily bread, witnesses daily faithfulness. God's mercies come through the br
N.T. Wright on Covenant Faithfulness - Anglican (Lamentations 3:22-23)
"'His steadfast love never ceases'—chesed, covenant love, loyal love. Jeremiah laments Jerusalem's fall but clings to covenant faithfulness. The new creation God is faithful; His mercies anticipate re
John Howard Yoder on Nonviolent Victory - Anabaptist (John 16:33)
"Christ overcame the world not through violence but through the cross. His victory is love stronger than death, truth stronger than lies, faithfulness stronger than power. We face the world's trouble