Browse Sermon Illustrations
816 illustrations available
Tim Keller on the Shepherd Who Seeks - Missional (Psalm 23)
"In the ancient world, gods didn't seek people—people sought gods. But our Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. He leads, guides, pursues. Mission flows from this: we seek others because H
Karl Barth on Christ the Good Shepherd - Christocentric (Psalm 23)
"When we read 'The Lord is my shepherd,' we must hear Jesus saying 'I am the good shepherd.' Christ is the fulfillment of Psalm 23. He is the one who leads, feeds, protects, anoints, and prepares the
St. Gregory of Nyssa on Dwelling Forever - Orthodox (Psalm 23)
"'I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever'—this is theosis, eternal participation in divine life. The Psalm moves from pasture to table to dwelling—ever deeper communion. The goal is not just pr
Pope Francis on the Table Prepared - Catholic (Psalm 23)
"'You prepare a table before me'—God sets the Eucharistic table even in the presence of our enemies, our struggles, our sins. The banquet is not earned; it is prepared FOR us. We come hungry; we leave
A.W. Tozer on the Anointed Head - Pentecostal (Psalm 23)
"'You anoint my head with oil'—this is the Spirit's overflow! The shepherd didn't just dab oil; he poured until the cup ran over. God doesn't give the Spirit by measure. When He anoints, He anoints ab
N.T. Wright on Goodness and Mercy Following - Anglican (Psalm 23)
"'Goodness and mercy shall follow me'—the Hebrew suggests pursuing, chasing. God's goodness and mercy are not passive; they hunt us down. We don't chase blessings; blessings chase us. The Shepherd's g
Stanley Hauerwas on Cruciform Community - Anabaptist (Galatians 2:20)
"'I am crucified with Christ' is not private spirituality; it's the shape of the community. We die to individualism, violence, power-seeking. Together we embody the crucified life: vulnerable, serving
Jack Hayford on Restoration of the Soul - Charismatic (Psalm 23)
"'He restores my soul'—restoration is a Spirit work. The Hebrew word suggests returning, refreshing, reviving. The Holy Spirit doesn't just comfort; He RESTORES what was lost, broken, depleted. Expect
J. Vernon McGee on Israel's Shepherd and Ours - Dispensational (Psalm 23)
"David wrote this Psalm looking forward to the Messiah-Shepherd. Israel awaits the fulfillment when Messiah reigns and literally shepherds His people. But in this church age, we too have the Good Shep
Walter Brueggemann on Waiting as Resistance - Progressive (Isaiah 40:31)
"Isaiah 40 speaks to exiles exhausted by empire. 'Wait on the Lord' is not quietism but resistance—refusing to be defined by Babylon's pace and priorities. Renewed strength comes to those who trust Go
Gustavo Gutiérrez on the Table Before Enemies - Liberation (Psalm 23)
"'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies'—the oppressed eat while oppressors watch. This is reversal, vindication, dignity restored. The poor feast; the powerful see. God sets the
Pope Francis on God's Tender Care - Catholic (1 Peter 5:7)
"God is not indifferent. He cares—tenderly, personally, like a mother for her child. 'Cast your cares' because the Father's arms are always open. This is the tenderness of God: He delights in taking o
Billy Graham on Personal Security in the Shepherd - Baptist (Psalm 23)
"You can know the Shepherd personally. Not just believe He exists, but KNOW Him—His voice, His care, His provision. 'The Lord is MY shepherd'—have you made it personal? Have you given your life to the
Pope Francis on Patient Waiting - Catholic (Isaiah 40:31)
"Waiting on God requires patience—a virtue too often forgotten in our instant culture. The saints knew how to wait: in prayer, in liturgy, in the slow rhythm of the Church year. Renewed strength comes
Jack Hayford on Spirit-Rest - Pentecostal (Matthew 11:28-30)
"Come and find REST for your souls! The Holy Spirit is our rest—the Comforter who soothes, refreshes, renews. In His presence we find the rest Jesus promises. Soak in worship; linger in prayer; let th
Lesslie Newbigin on Exile as Mission Field - Missional (Jeremiah 29:11)
"The exiles were sent—not abandoned. 'Where I have sent you' transforms exile into mission. God's plans include our displacement. Every strange land is a mission field; every exile is a sending. Hope
Charles Swindoll on God's Good Plans - Traditional (Jeremiah 29:11)
"God's plans are good—not necessarily easy, but good. Jeremiah 29:11 was written to exiles facing seventy years of waiting. The promise isn't instant comfort but ultimate hope. God's good plan include
John Wesley on Entire Consecration - Wesleyan (Romans 12:1-2)
"Present your bodies—entirely, unreservedly. This is entire consecration, the gateway to entire sanctification. As you offer all to God, He transforms all. The renewed mind grows in holiness. Transfor
Warren Wiersbe on Mind Renewal Through the Word - Dispensational (Romans 12:1-2)
"The mind is renewed through the Word of God. As we saturate our thinking in Scripture, transformation happens. In this church age, God has given us the complete canon—our manual for mind renewal. Dis
Walter Brueggemann on Welfare of the City - Progressive (Jeremiah 29:11)
"Read the context: 'Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile.' The promise of hope comes WITH a command to work for the common good. Jeremiah 29:11 is not private prosperity but c
Brian McLaren on Grace Beyond Merit Systems - Progressive (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Grace subverts every merit system—religious, economic, social. 'Not of works' challenges not just legalism but capitalism's myth that you get what you deserve. Grace says worth is given, not earned.
Billy Graham on Personal Salvation by Grace - Baptist (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Have you received this gift? Grace is offered to YOU—personally, specifically, right now. You cannot earn salvation; you can only accept it. Put your faith in Christ today. Believe and receive. This
Howard Thurman on Grace for the Disinherited - Black Church (Ephesians 2:8-9)
"Grace comes to those with nothing to offer—and the disinherited know this best. Those denied worth by society receive infinite worth from God. 'Not of works'—this is good news for those whose work wa
St. John Chrysostom on Courage Through Union - Orthodox (Joshua 1:9)
"Fear departs when we are united with God. The soul progressing in theosis knows increasing fearlessness because God's presence becomes more real than any threat. 'The Lord is with you'—this is not me