Illustrations from Matthew
1153 illustrations referencing Matthew
Evening Prayer: Righteousness - Biblical Insight
As the sun sets, casting long shadows across the earth, we are reminded of the day’s labor and the gift of rest. In these twilight moments, I find solace in the call of Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20, urging us to...
When Love - Story
Sheila, a retired teacher in our parish, has always been a beacon of warmth. One chilly Sunday morning, she noticed a new family sitting alone in the back. They seemed lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces, huddled together like...
When Redemption - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I heard about a woman named Maria, whose life seemed to echo the words of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus calls us to go and make disciples. Maria had once been trapped in a...
Les Misérables: Transformed Lives as Light - Wesleyan (Matthew 5:13-16)
In Victor Hugo's *Les Misérables*, we are drawn deeply into the life of Jean Valjean, a man whose journey from darkness to light paints a vivid picture of redemption and transformation. Picture the scene—Valjean, a hardened ex-convict, is released from...
A Modern Story of Pentecost
In our contemporary world, the celebration of Pentecost reveals both the struggle and the promise that comes with being a people of faith. Picture this: a young woman named Sarah, living in a bustling city, grapples with the noise of...
Evening Prayer: Righteousness - Story
As the sun dips below the horizon and the sky transforms into a canvas of deep oranges and purples, we gather for evening prayer, a sacred moment to reflect on righteousness. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us to go and...
The Gift of Singleness: Wholeness Without a Spouse - Contemporary Example
The sermon illustration emphasizes the importance of recognizing singleness as a valid and valuable calling within the church, rather than a problem to be solved. It highlights that single individuals can contribute uniquely to ministry and service, and encourages the church to support and honor their role in the community.
The Day of Judgment: Justice and Mercy United - Contemporary Example
The final judgment serves as a profound reminder of both the seriousness of human choices and the comforting assurance of God's justice and mercy. While believers are vindicated through Christ's righteousness, the doctrine emphasizes the importance of compassionate action as evidence of genuine faith. Ultimately, it highlights the balance between God's love and the necessity of justice in the face of sin.
Spiritual Insight: Gentleness - Story
As I walked through a sun-drenched meadow one morning, the gentle sway of the flowers caught my attention. Each bloom, vibrant and alive, leaned toward the soft whispers of the wind. There was a humility in their posture, a serene...
Lessons from Self-control - Contemporary Example
Carla sat at her kitchen table, staring at the remnants of her latest attempt at self-control. The cookie jar, once filled to the brim, now held just a few crumbles. “Why can’t I resist?” she sighed, feeling defeated. You see,...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
We read this passage as a revelation of Jesus' divine identity and his commitment to liberation. The transfiguration reveals the glory of the one who stands in solidarity with the oppressed. Just as Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, representing the Law and the Prophets, we see continuity with the
When Justice - Contemporary Example
In a small town, a high school teacher named Maria discovered her students were struggling with the concept of justice. They often spoke about fairness in terms of what they could gain or lose, but Maria wanted to shift their...
When Redemption - Story
Elizabeth sat quietly in the back of the church, her fingers nervously tracing the edges of her well-worn Bible. To others, she may have seemed like just another face in the congregation, but her journey had been anything but ordinary....
Spiritual Insight: Gentleness - Biblical Insight
As we reflect on the call in Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commissions us to make disciples, we encounter a profound truth about the nature of our mission. It is a mission underscored by *gentleness* and *humility*. Picture a shepherd tending...
Quiet Time: Goodness - Prayer
Have you ever found yourself in a quiet place, perhaps your favorite chair in the morning sunlight, or a secluded park bench where the chatter of the day fades away? These moments of solitude can be sacred; they create a...
When Heaven Seems Silent: Wrestling with Unanswered Prayer - Story
The content explores the struggle of unanswered prayer and the feelings of despair that accompany it, emphasizing that such experiences are part of the human condition. It highlights the importance of trust in God's timing and will, illustrating that unanswered prayers can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
We read Matthew 17:1-13 through the Lutheran Lens as a revelation of both Law and Gospel. The transfiguration of Christ is a profound display of His divine glory, which terrifies the disciples, revealing their sinful inability to stand in His holy presence (Law). Yet, in the midst of this, the Gospe
A Story of Patience - Contemporary Example
A few months ago, I visited a small community garden tucked away behind a row of modest homes. It was a patch of land that had once been overrun with weeds, a forgotten space until a few dedicated volunteers decided...
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
We read Matthew 17:1-13 through the lens of redemptive history, recognizing the Transfiguration as a moment where the glory of Christ, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, is revealed. This passage highlights the ongoing covenantal relationship between God and His people, as Moses and Elijah
When Peace - Story
There was a time when I found myself wandering through a dense forest, the sun beginning to dip below the horizon. The trees loomed large, shadows stretching ominously, and I felt a deep sense of isolation. With each step, uncertainty...
Traditional Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
We read this passage as the Transfiguration of Christ, which reveals His divine nature and prefigures His resurrection glory. It underscores the continuity between the Old and New Covenants, with Moses and Elijah representing the Law and the Prophets, both of which find their fulfillment in Christ.
Lessons from Self-control - Story
In a small village, there lived a man named Daniel, known for his unwavering faith and remarkable self-control. Every morning, he would rise before dawn, kneeling by his window, lifting his prayers to God as the sun began to rise....
Believer's Baptism and Church Autonomy - Contemporary Example
The sermon illustration emphasizes the core Baptist beliefs surrounding baptism and individual faith, highlighting that baptism is a declaration of grace received after personal belief. It also underscores the importance of church autonomy and the principle of soul liberty, advocating for religious freedom and the separation of church and state as foundational to Baptist convictions.
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
In the Roman Catholic Lens, we read Matthew 17:1-13 as a profound revelation of Christ’s divine nature and the foreshadowing of His Resurrection. This passage, the Transfiguration, unveils Jesus’ glory to Peter, James, and John, affirming His identity as the Son of God. We see this event as a pivota