Browse Sermon Illustrations
1,255 illustrations available
Putting Into Practice: Mercy - Teaching Material
As we reflect on the promise of Jeremiah 29:11—that God knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper us and not to harm us—let us consider how this promise calls us to live out mercy in our daily...
Putting Into Practice: Perseverance - Contemporary Example
Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has plans for us, plans for hope and a future, even when we find ourselves in the midst of uncertainty. Think of Anna, a member of our community who faced a daunting challenge. After...
Applying Faith - Contemporary Example
Consider the profound invitation in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” This isn’t merely a call to silence; it’s a divine assurance for our turbulent lives. When we pause in stillness, we open ourselves to the...
Putting Into Practice: Goodness - Teaching Material
Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by the weight of life's challenges, navigating through a dark valley. In Psalm 23:1-6, David paints a picture of our Good Shepherd who leads us, providing for our needs and guiding us toward righteousness. This...
Putting Into Practice: Wisdom - Contemporary Example
As we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we see love defined not just as an emotion, but as a series of actions that demonstrate wisdom in our relationships. Love is patient and kind; it does not envy or boast. It...
Putting Into Practice: Mercy - Illustration
As we reflect on Jeremiah 29:11, we encounter a profound promise that God has plans for each of us—plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give us hope and a future. This promise is not just a comforting...
Putting Into Practice: Peace - Illustration
Imagine a bustling kitchen on the morning of a family celebration. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air as laughter dances among the clattering pots and pans. Amidst the joyful chaos, there’s a calm center — perhaps a...
Real-World Salvation - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Ephesians 2:8-9, we embrace the profound truth that our salvation is a gift from God, not borne from our own efforts but through *pistis* (faith). This gift transforms not only our standing before God but also...
Practical Perseverance - Contemporary Example
Imagine a community garden, where every person's unique plant contributes to a beautiful mosaic of color and life. Each gardener nurtures their patch with perseverance, patience, and love, understanding that growth takes time. Just as our Heavenly Father tends to...
Practical Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
Consider the story of Michael, a young man in our community who faced a deep betrayal from a close friend. For months, he was consumed by bitterness, replaying the hurt over and over in his mind. One day, during a...
Real-World Gentleness - Illustration
Imagine a tender moment shared between a child and a parent, where the child, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of school or friendships, turns to their parent for comfort. The parent leans down, eyes full of love, and softly whispers,...
Putting Into Practice: Goodness - Contemporary Example
As we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we encounter the beautiful and challenging qualities of love: patience, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to goodness. This passage calls us to embody these principles, especially in our relationships. Picture a family divided...
Putting Into Practice: Gentleness - Illustration
Imagine a parent guiding a child who is learning to ride a bike for the first time. The child wobbles, fear gripping their heart, and they look back for reassurance. The parent, with patience and gentleness, runs alongside, whispering encouragement....
Putting Into Practice: Gentleness - Contemporary Example
Jeremiah 29:11 offers us a profound reminder of God's intentions for our lives: "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...
Practical Redemption - Teaching Material
“Be still, and know that I am God.” This simple yet profound command in Psalm 46:10 invites us into a space of profound trust and surrender. Imagine, for a moment, a father teaching his child how to ride a bike....
Putting Into Practice: Courage - Contemporary Example
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind—these words from 2 Timothy 1:7 remind us that courage isn't merely the absence of fear but the presence of something greater: the Spirit...
Real-World Humility - Contemporary Example
When we look at Isaiah 40:31, we see a profound promise: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and...
Putting Into Practice: Salvation - Contemporary Example
As we explore the call of Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples, we find ourselves at the intersection of faith and action. Jesus’ command to “go therefore and make disciples” isn’t just a lofty ideal; it’s an invitation to live out...
Putting Into Practice: Joy - Contemporary Example
Consider the story of a young woman named Maya. She grew up in a neighborhood filled with challenges—crime, unemployment, and broken dreams seemed to surround her. But Maya was a steadfast believer. Every Sunday, she would sit in the pews...
Practical Mercy - Contemporary Example
Imagine a single mother named Sarah, juggling a full-time job and the responsibilities of raising two young children. One evening, while picking up groceries, she overhears a conversation between two friends in the aisle next to her. They are discussing...
Real-World Peace - Contemporary Example
Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This powerful promise invites...
Real-World Understanding - Teaching Material
As we explore Romans 12:2, Paul urges us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This transformation is not just a lofty ideal; it’s a call to engage...
Living Out Compassion - Contemporary Example
Imagine a young mother, Sarah, who faced a heart-wrenching decision when her estranged father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Years of hurtful words and abandonment had built a thick wall between them, yet as she wrestled with her emotions, she...
Living Out Humility - Contemporary Example
As we reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7, where Paul writes, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” we recognize that humility and forgiveness are rooted in...