Browse Sermon Illustrations
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Jon Sobrino on Hope Through Suffering - Liberation (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
"The crucified peoples know bodily wasting—martyrdom, poverty, violence. But inner renewal persists; hope refuses to die. Light affliction? The suffering is not light—but the coming glory is heavier s
Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Following the Worry-Free Christ - Christocentric (Matthew 6:25-27)
"Jesus lived without worry—wholly dependent on the Father, free for others. Following Him means learning His freedom. Anxiety binds us to ourselves; trust in Christ frees us for discipleship. 'Do not
John Howard Yoder on Nonviolent Confidence - Anabaptist (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"God goes before—we need not fight with violence; He fights for us. God is with—we need not fear the powerful; His presence protects. The community that trusts this promise can lay down weapons and wa
Stanley Hauerwas on Visible Holy Nation - Anabaptist (1 Peter 2:9)
"A holy nation—visible, distinct, alternative. Not individuals scattered but a people formed. The church IS the nation, the holy polis, the royal community. Our identity is communal: together we are p
Howard Thurman on Waters of Oppression - Black Church (Isaiah 43:2)
"The waters of oppression threatened to overwhelm—Middle Passage, slavery, Jim Crow. The fires of hatred burned. But God brought His people through. 'Deep river, my home is over Jordan'—the spiritual
Walter Brueggemann on Light Against Empire - Progressive (Psalm 27:1)
"The LORD is light—exposing empire's lies, revealing injustice hidden in darkness. Salvation—not from sin alone but from oppressive systems. Stronghold—refuge when powers threaten. Those who work for
R.C. Sproul on Sovereign Security - Reformed (Psalm 27:1)
"MY light, MY salvation, MY stronghold—this is covenant language. The sovereign God binds Himself to His people. Our security rests not in circumstances but in His character. If God is for us, who can
Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Christ as Light - Christocentric (Psalm 27:1)
"Jesus said, 'I am the light of the world.' The LORD who is David's light IS Christ. He is our salvation—literally, Yeshua. He is our stronghold—the rock on which we build. In Christ, this psalm finds
C.S. Lewis on Safe Though Not Tame - Anglican (Psalm 27:1)
"'Is He safe?' 'Safe? Who said anything about safe? But He's good.' The LORD is not safe but salvation. Not tame but our stronghold. Our confidence is not that life will be easy but that God is good.
Charles Spurgeon on Prayer Against Anxiety - Traditional (Philippians 4:6-7)
"Be anxious for NOTHING—not some things, but nothing. And pray about EVERYTHING—not some things, but everything. The cure for anxiety is prayer with thanksgiving. When we pray, peace guards our hearts
E. Stanley Jones on Cooperative Journey - Wesleyan (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"God goes before—but Joshua must follow. God is with—but Joshua must walk. This is cooperative grace: divine initiative meets human response. God prepares the way; we travel it. God provides presence;
Warren Wiersbe on Promise Through Ages - Dispensational (Deuteronomy 31:8)
"This promise to Joshua at the edge of Canaan extends to believers in every age. God went before Israel; He goes before His Church. Until Christ returns, we walk in hostile territory—but not alone. He
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