Browse Sermon Illustrations

Practical Redemption - Illustration

Picture a young woman named Sarah, standing at a crossroads in her life. She’s faced with uncertainty, feeling burdened by past mistakes and the weight of unmet expectations. One day, as she walks through the local park, she notices a...

🎯application pointNon-denom

Putting Into Practice: Redemption - Teaching Material

Imagine a young woman named Sarah, standing on the brink of a significant life decision. She has spent years feeling unworthy, burdened by past mistakes that whisper lies of inadequacy and shame. One day, as she sits in a coffee...

John 3:16

Practical Faith - Illustration

As we reflect on John 14:6, where Jesus proclaims, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” we are reminded that our faith is not merely a set of beliefs but a dynamic journey. This invitation into relationship with...

🎯application pointAnabaptist

Living Out Humility - Contemporary Example

The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). This is a beautiful, liberating truth, particularly in our Anabaptist tradition where community...

2 Timothy 1:7

🎯application pointMainline

Applying Humility - Teaching Material

As we reflect on Galatians 5:22-23, we see the fruit of the Spirit as a beautiful tapestry of qualities that enrich our relationships and build our community. Among these, humility stands out as a foundational virtue. Humility allows us to...

Galatians 5:22-23

Putting Into Practice: Gentleness - Illustration

Picture a small community garden, a patch of earth lovingly tended by neighbors. Each person brings their unique talents — some carefully plant seeds, others water the plants, and a few offer gentle words of encouragement when the weeds threaten...

Jeremiah 29:11

🎯application pointEvangelical

Real-World Forgiveness - Teaching Material

Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is our shepherd, guiding us through life’s valleys and leading us to green pastures. In this journey, one of the most profound paths we travel is that of forgiveness. Forgiveness is not merely...

Psalm 23:1-6

🎯application pointLutheran

Putting Into Practice: Salvation - Contemporary Example

Imagine a young mother, weary but determined, standing in front of a kitchen sink piled high with unwashed dishes. Each plate represents a moment of grace, a small act of love for her family, but today, they feel like a...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Putting Into Practice: Kindness - Illustration

Imagine a chilly morning at your local coffee shop, where the air is thick with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. A mother rushes in, juggling a toddler in one arm and her phone in the other, clearly frazzled....

Ephesians 2:8-9

🎯application pointLutheran

Putting Into Practice: Compassion - Contemporary Example

As we reflect on Romans 8:28, where Paul affirms that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” we can find deep encouragement for our daily lives, especially in the realm of compassion. Imagine a...

Romans 8:28

Living Out Patience - Contemporary Example

Imagine a potter at work, shaping a lump of clay into a beautiful vessel. With steady hands, the potter applies pressure and invites the clay to yield to the design in their mind. There’s a rhythm to this process—an ebb...

Ephesians 2:8-9

Living Out Hope - Contemporary Example

When Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (*John 14:6*), He was not just affirming His identity; He was offering us a lifeline in our moments of doubt and uncertainty. Imagine a young woman named Sarah,...

🎯application pointMainline

Practical Courage - Contemporary Example

Imagine a young mother, Emily, standing in the doorway of her home as the sun dips below the horizon. She has just received news that her husband, a devoted teacher, lost his job due to budget cuts. The weight of...

2 Timothy 1:7

Real-World Self-control - Contemporary Example

Consider the moment when you’re standing in line at your favorite coffee shop, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee swirling around you. You’ve had a long day, and perhaps your patience is wearing thin. You overhear a conversation, a friend...

🎯application pointMainline

Real-World Self-control - Illustration

Imagine waking up one morning, sunlight spilling into your room, casting warmth across the floor. As you stretch and breathe in the new day, you remember the words of Jesus from John 14:6, where He lovingly declares, “I am the...

🎯application pointAnglican

Applying Love - Contemporary Example

Imagine a young woman named Sarah, who, after years in a corporate job, felt a deep tug in her heart to serve those struggling with addiction in her community. It wasn’t an easy decision; she had grown comfortable in her...

Philippians 4:13

🎯application pointOrthodox

Practical Compassion - Teaching Material

When Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, he reminded him that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. This powerful passage isn’t just a call to overcome fear;...

2 Timothy 1:7

Living Out Faithfulness - Teaching Material

As we ponder the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations," we see a profound call to faithfulness that encompasses both our humility and our service to others. This directive isn't just...

Matthew 28:19-20

🎯application pointNon-denom

Practical Forgiveness - Contemporary Example

Imagine a woman named Sarah, who was deeply wounded by a trusted friend’s betrayal. For years, she carried the weight of resentment, allowing it to shape her thoughts and actions. One day, while reflecting on Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in...

Proverbs 3:5-6

🎯application pointWesleyan

Applying Peace - Contemporary Example

As we reflect on Galatians 5:22-23, where we find the fruits of the Spirit, we are reminded that peace is not just a passive state of being but an active, vibrant force in our lives and communities. This peace, *eirene*,...

Galatians 5:22-23