Browse Sermon Illustrations
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Billy Graham on Personal Promise - Baptist (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"God goes before YOU—whatever you face tomorrow, He's already there. He is with YOU—right now, in your situation. He will never leave YOU—personally, specifically. This is not abstract theology; it's
Walter Brueggemann on God with Exiles - Progressive (Isaiah 43:2)
"Isaiah speaks to exiles—displaced, threatened, overwhelmed. The waters are empire's chaos; the fire is persecution's heat. God promises presence to the marginalized, the refugee, the displaced. When
R.C. Sproul on Perfect Love from the Father - Reformed (1 John 4:18)
"Perfect love is GOD'S love—complete, unchanging, covenant-sealed. Our love is imperfect; His is perfect. As we grasp the depths of electing, redeeming, keeping love, fear of punishment disappears. Th
R.C. Sproul on Sovereign Plans - Reformed (Jeremiah 29:11)
"'I know the plans I have for you'—GOD knows. Not you. Not your circumstances. Not your enemies. God's sovereign knowledge encompasses past, present, and future. Our hope rests not in understanding th
Billy Graham on Decision for Christ - Baptist (John 14:6)
"Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' This is not narrow-mindedness; it is reality. Every person must personally decide: Will you accept C
Billy Graham on Being Born Again - Traditional (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"When you receive Christ, you become a new creation. The old life is gone; a new life has begun. This isn't reformation but transformation—not turning over a new leaf but receiving a new life. You mus
John Wesley on New Creation and Entire Sanctification - Wesleyan (2 Corinthians 5:17)
"In regeneration we become new creations—but the old nature still contends. The promise points toward entire sanctification: the old truly passing, the new fully coming. New creation begins at convers
Walter Brueggemann on Non-Conformity to Empire - Progressive (Romans 12:1-2)
"'Do not be conformed to this world'—this is resistance to empire, to consumerism, to the values of domination. The renewed mind sees through propaganda and imagines alternatives. Transformation is po
St. John Chrysostom on Divine Presence - Orthodox (Isaiah 41:10)
"God's presence transforms fear into boldness. As the soul progresses in theosis, fear diminishes—not because danger decreases but because union with God increases. 'I am with you' becomes experienced
Charles Ryrie on Grace in the Church Age - Dispensational (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"We live in the dispensation of grace. The church age is uniquely characterized by salvation through faith alone, apart from law-keeping. This was always God's way, but now it is fully revealed. Grace
Warren Wiersbe on Spirit for Perilous Times - Dispensational (2 Timothy 1:7)
"Paul wrote to Timothy about 'perilous times' in the last days. We need the Spirit of power, love, and sound mind more than ever! As prophetic events unfold and fears multiply, the Spirit equips belie
Stanley Hauerwas on Work in Community - Anabaptist (Colossians 3:23-24)
"Work 'as unto the Lord' means work that serves the community, not just individual gain. The church forms workers who value service over success, community over competition. Whatever you do, do it for
Martin Luther on Gospel Abundance - Lutheran (Ephesians 3:20-21)
"The gospel exceeds! We ask for forgiveness; God gives righteousness. We imagine acceptance; He gives sonship. We hope for mercy; He gives inheritance. Immeasurably more—this is grace upon grace. God'
Bill Johnson on Kingdom Work - Charismatic (Colossians 3:23-24)
"Your workplace is kingdom territory! Work heartily—bring HEAVEN'S excellence! You're not just earning a paycheck; you're advancing the kingdom! When you work for Jesus, favor follows. Excellence for
T.D. Jakes on Anointed Work - Pentecostal (Colossians 3:23-24)
"Work HEARTILY—with all your passion, all your excellence, all your anointing! Your job is your ministry! The Spirit empowers not just preachers but plumbers, not just evangelists but engineers. Do yo
Pope Benedict XVI on Word and Church - Catholic (Psalm 119:105)
"Scripture is lamp and light within the Church's living tradition. The Word illumines through the Liturgy, through the Fathers, through the Magisterium's authentic interpretation. We read Scripture in
J. Vernon McGee on Prophetic Light - Dispensational (Psalm 119:105)
"Scripture illumines not just personal morality but prophetic truth—where we are in God's program, what is yet to come. The Word lights both daily steps and end-times understanding. In increasingly da
Jim Wallis on Wisdom for Justice - Progressive (James 1:5)
"We need wisdom for the complex work of justice—not simple answers but discerning wisdom. God gives generously to those seeking to know how to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. Pray for wisdom that
Karl Barth on Christ Fulfilling Micah - Christocentric (Micah 6:8)
"What does the Lord require? Christ fulfills it. He did justice—confronting oppression. He loved mercy—healing, forgiving, touching the unclean. He walked humbly—to the cross. Following Jesus IS livin
Bill Johnson on Glory Light - Charismatic (Matthew 5:14-16)
"You carry the GLORY! Light isn't just morality; it's PRESENCE! When you walk into a room, the atmosphere should SHIFT! Your good works include healings, deliverances, prophetic words! The world sees
Martin Luther King Jr. on Justice and Love - Black Church (Micah 6:8)
"Justice and mercy cannot be separated—justice is love in public. Do justice: dismantle systems of oppression. Love mercy: compassion for the oppressed. Walk humbly: know that the struggle is God's, n
David Bosch on Missio Dei Preceding - Missional (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"The Lord goes before—this is missio Dei! God is already at work in the territory before the missionary arrives. We do not bring God; we join what He is doing. Fear not the unknown culture, the resist
J. Vernon McGee on Tribulation Promise - Dispensational (Isaiah 43:2)
"Isaiah comforted Israel facing Babylonian exile. The Church faces increasing trials as the age closes. But the promise holds through dispensations: God brings His people through. Whether ancient exil
Bill Johnson on Soaring in the Spirit - Charismatic (Isaiah 40:31)
"Mount up with wings like eagles—this is life in the Spirit! The Spirit is the wind beneath our wings. When we wait in His presence, soaking in worship, we receive supernatural lift. Don't just walk;