Search Illustrations

Emotion: GratitudeClear all

209 results found

biblical insightBlack Church

Theology of Humility - Commentary

A biblical commentary on this insight The theological significance of humility lies in its connection to God's character.

Joshua 1:9
sermon illustrationProsperity

The Invitation: Receive the Gift - Baptist (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Every Baptist invitation appeals to Ephesians 2:8-9: you cannot earn salvation, but you CAN receive it. Billy Graham preached it millions of times: "Come as you are—not as you ought to be, not as you ...

invitationreceivecomeEphesians 2:8-9
adults
sermon illustrationLutheran

Love That Sees the Neighbor's Need - Lutheran (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Luther described love as "seeking not its own" but flowing outward toward the neighbor. "Love does not insist on its own way." In marriage, friendship, community, love asks: what does the OTHER need? ...

neighborneedoutward1 Corinthians 13:4-7
adults
sermon illustrationCatholic

The Doctrines of Grace - Reformed (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Ephesians 2:8-9 is bedrock Reformed theology. "By grace"—God's initiative. "Through faith"—the instrument, not the cause. "This is not from yourselves"—even faith is gift. "Not by works"—human effort ...

gracefaithgiftEphesians 2:8-9
adults
sermon illustrationPentecostal

The Missionary Who Lost Everything - Missional (Psalm 23)

A missionary family lost everything in a flood—home, possessions, ministry materials, years of work. Evacuated with nothing, they sat in a shelter as Psalm 23 came over the radio. "I shall not want." ...

missionarylossfloodPsalm 23
adults
sermon illustrationBlack Church

Christ's Work, Our Salvation - Christocentric (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Karl Barth emphasized: read carefully—"By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God." The gift IS Christ. Grace isn't abstract; it's Jesus. Faith ...

ChristgracegiftEphesians 2:8-9
adults
sermon illustrationContemplative

The Anointing That Overflows - Charismatic (Psalm 23)

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." In biblical times, hosts anointed honored guests with oil. The imagery is lavish welcome, abundant blessing. The charismatic tradition emphasizes: God ...

anointingoiloverflowPsalm 23
adults
sermon illustrationAnabaptist

The Community as Green Pasture - Anabaptist (Psalm 23)

A Mennonite farmer faced foreclosure during the farm crisis of the 1980s. His community gathered—not just to pray but to pay. Families contributed what they could; the farm was saved. One neighbor sai...

communityMennonitecarePsalm 23
adults
sermon illustrationAnglican

The Eucharistic Table of Psalm 23 - Catholic (Psalm 23)

"You prepare a table before me"—Catholics see this fulfilled in the Eucharist. Every Mass, the Lord prepares a table: bread become Body, wine become Blood. The Shepherd feeds His flock with Himself. P...

EucharisttableMassPsalm 23
adults
sermon illustrationOrthodox

The Closed Door That Was God's Protection - Pentecostal (Proverbs 3:5-6)

A businessman prayed desperately for a deal to go through. Every door closed. He was devastated—it made no sense. Months later, the company he would have partnered with collapsed in scandal. Had the d...

closed doorsprotectionguidanceProverbs 3:5-6
adults
sermon illustrationMainline

Grace Enabling Faith - Wesleyan (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Wesley agreed: we're saved by grace through faith, not works. But he emphasized: grace ENABLES faith. Prevenient grace precedes our response, making faith possible. Saving grace accomplishes what we c...

graceprevenientresponseEphesians 2:8-9
adults
sermon illustrationWesleyan

Finding Worship in Everyday Moments

Worship isn't just about singing songs—it's about living a life that honors God. Consider the story of Robert, a construction worker who decided to see his job as an act of worship. Instead of just bu...

Luke 15:11-32
sermon illustrationOrthodox

Lessons from Justice - Quote

This truth has been expressed by many throughout history. Justice isn't just a political issue—it's a biblical mandate. Consider the story of Marcus, a lawyer who decided to use his skills to help imm...

Acts 2:42-47
storyUniversal

The Master's Canvas

A famous artist was known for creating masterpieces from damaged canvases. He would take torn, stained, or discarded canvases and transform them into beautiful works of art. One day, a student asked, 'Master, why don't you start with perfect canvases?...

redemptionbrokennesstransformation
youth
quoteUniversal

Bonhoeffer on Cheap Grace

Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned against 'cheap grace'—grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ. He wrote, 'Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Costly gra...

gracediscipleshipcost
youth
quoteUniversal

Quote by George Bernard Shaw

"Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, today is a gift - that's why it's called the present." - George Bernard Shaw

inspirationalhope
youth
quoteUniversal

Quote by Amelia Earhart

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." - Amelia Earhart

inspirational
youth
PreviousPage 9 of 9