Browse Sermon Illustrations
1,255 illustrations available
Applying Redemption - Teaching Material
Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, as Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, is a profound call to surrender and faith. Picture this: a father stands at the edge of a swimming pool, urging his child to jump. The child hesitates,...
Applying Forgiveness - Teaching Material
Forgiveness is not merely a lofty ideal; it is a profound act of love that reflects the very heart of God. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that...
Living Out Goodness - Teaching Material
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, and this gift is not of ourselves; it is the work of God. This foundational truth calls us to respond to God’s goodness with a life marked by...
Living Out Salvation - Illustration
Picture a small community garden, filled with a vibrant array of flowers and vegetables, thriving side by side. Each plant relies not only on sunshine and water but also on the careful tending of hands that nurture and cultivate. In...
Real-World Justice - Teaching Material
When Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 to "make disciples of all nations," He wasn’t simply calling us to share a message; He was inviting us into a transformative mission that embodies justice and love in our communities. This great...
Practical Humility - Illustration
As we reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7, we remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. This powerful reminder invites us into a life marked by humility—a profound, gentle strength that...
Living Out Faith - Illustration
Imagine a small community garden, nestled between a row of houses, filled with vibrant flowers and flourishing vegetables. Each season, neighbors come together to plant, nurture, and harvest the garden's bounty. What makes this garden truly special is not just...
Putting Into Practice: Understanding - Illustration
Imagine a bustling farmer's market on a crisp Saturday morning, where vendors display vibrant fruits and vegetables, each a result of tireless labor and dedication. As you stroll through the aisles, you notice a stall overflowing with the most luscious...
Living Out Righteousness - Illustration
Imagine a small community where every neighbor knows each other, where laughter fills the air, and shared meals happen regularly. One day, a long-standing feud erupts between two families, casting a shadow over the neighborhood. Distrust and bitterness spread like...
Applying Humility - Contemporary Example
As we explore *humility* today, let’s look at Galatians 5:22-23, where Paul speaks about the fruit of the Spirit. Among them is *praotes*, or gentleness, which is closely tied to humility. This quality is not just a private matter; it...
Practical Gentleness - Contemporary Example
Imagine a small community garden, tended not by one person, but by a diverse group of neighbors. Each individual brings their unique skills and resources: one knows how to plant seeds, another is gifted at watering, and someone else has...
Practical Salvation - Illustration
Imagine a small, struggling community garden, its once-verdant rows now overgrown with weeds. The plants, starved for sunlight and water, droop sadly as their potential lies dormant. This garden is much like our own spiritual growth—often hindered by the distractions...
Living Faith: Anabaptist Lens Principles for Daily Life
Proverbs 3:5-6 beckons us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and to lean not on our own understanding. This wisdom is not just an abstract principle; it is a living, breathing call to action in our daily...
Living Out Salvation - Illustration
Imagine a community garden, a patch of earth lovingly tended by neighbors who come together every week. Each person brings their unique seed—perhaps tomatoes, cucumbers, or herbs—each with a different purpose but all sharing the same soil. As the plants...
Living Out Salvation - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Galatians 5:22-23 and the fruit of the Spirit, we see that our salvation is not merely a moment in time but a transformative journey. When we embrace Christ, we are called to live out this salvation...
Real-World Redemption - Illustration
As we reflect on John 3:16, we are reminded of the profound truth that God’s love is not just an abstract concept but a tangible reality demonstrated through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This verse encapsulates the...
Real-World Justice - Contemporary Example
As we explore the depth of Romans 8:28, where Paul assures us that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him," we find a profound truth that speaks directly to our lives and our community....
Living Out Peace - Teaching Material
Imagine a small village nestled in the hills, where the sound of laughter mingles with the rustling of leaves. People know each other by name, and when one is in need, the others gather to help. This is the kind...
Real-World Perseverance - Teaching Material
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us with profound clarity: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This promise was given...
Applying Mercy - Illustration
Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by heavy packs that symbolize the weight of sin and life’s disappointments. Each step feels laborious, each breath is a reminder of their struggle. But then, unexpectedly, they encounter a gentle stream, glistening in the...
Practical Compassion - Illustration
When Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, he reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. This is not just a lofty theological truth; it’s a...
Applying Justice - Illustration
Imagine a community where one person sees a neighbor struggling to keep their home warm in the winter. They know that the cost of heating is beyond what the neighbor can afford, and yet they hesitate. "What if I give...
Applying Peace - Contemporary Example
Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and leaning not on our own understanding, as Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, is not merely a theological exercise; it is a call to a radically different way of living in community. Imagine...
Practical Faithfulness - Illustration
Consider this: Imagine a father standing at the edge of a busy street, holding the hand of his young child. In that moment, the child feels safe, anchored in the trust that comes from a loving relationship. This poignant image...