Lutheran Illustrations
Law and Gospel, justification by faith, sacramental theology.
Key question: “How does this distinguish Law from Gospel?”
14930 illustrations found
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ruth 1:1-5
We read Ruth 1:1-5 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the Law's revelation of human frailty and suffering in the face of famine and death. This passage highlights the consequences of living in a fallen world, where the Law exposes our inability to secure our own future. However, we also
Lessons from Mercy - Story
In the small, bustling town of Maplewood, there lived a woman named Clara. For years, she carried the heavy burden of resentment in her heart. A long-ago betrayal by a dear friend had left her feeling wounded and isolated. Each...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:28-3:3
We read 1 John 2:28-3:3 through the lens of Law and Gospel, seeing the call to abide in Christ (2:28) as both a command (Law) that exposes our inability and a promise (Gospel) that assures us of our identity in Christ. The passage highlights our baptismal identity as God's children (3:1), which is a
Scripture Study: Lutheran Lens Interpretation Methods
As we gather around the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we find a profound exploration of love that transcends mere emotion and beckons us into a divine reality. This passage is often celebrated in weddings, but its implications...
A Story of Salvation - Story
Deborah was a woman of remarkable faith, a leader in a time when her people were struggling under oppression. One day, she found herself at a crossroads. The enemy was closing in, and despair lurked in every shadow. Yet, instead...
When Patience - Contemporary Example
Just last week, I sat down with a dear friend, a young woman named Sarah, who has been navigating the uncertainty of a career change. For years, she had poured her heart into teaching, but lately, the joy had faded,...
Faith and Compassion - Church Context
Imagine a weary traveler, burdened by the weight of his pack, navigating a rocky path. Each step is heavy, each moment fraught with uncertainty. Then, he encounters a fellow pilgrim who pauses, looks him in the eye, and offers a...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Ruth 2:1-23
In the Lutheran Lens tradition, we read Ruth 2:1-23 as an embodiment of God's providence and grace, highlighting the themes of vocation and divine mercy. Through Boaz's actions, we see the Law at work in its civil use, as he exercises justice and kindness in his vocation. Yet, the passage is also ri
Real-World Compassion - Illustration
Consider the story of a young mother named Sarah, who found herself overwhelmed by the demands of life. Juggling work, childcare, and household responsibilities, she often felt like she was drowning. One evening, after a particularly challenging day, she sat...
The Online Church & Community Challenge - Contemporary Example
In our rapidly changing world, the emergence of Online Church & Community presents us with both unique challenges and remarkable opportunities. It’s a landscape that feels both familiar and foreign, much like the early Christians who gathered in homes, navigating...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Revelation 3:14-22
We read this passage as a profound interplay of Law and Gospel. The words to the church in Laodicea expose the deep-seated sin of spiritual complacency (Law) — their lukewarm faith is neither hot nor cold, rendering them ineffective and distasteful. This is the Law doing its terrifying work, reveali
Putting Into Practice: Kindness - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Ephesians 2:8-9, which reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works, we find a profound call to live out this grace in our daily interactions. The kindness we extend...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
We read this passage as the Apostle Paul's proclamation of the Gospel in its purity. It begins with a reminder of the Gospel Paul preached, which is the foundation of our faith, and transitions into a powerful testimony of Christ's resurrection. This is Gospel in its purest form—Christ died for our
A Story of Joy - Story
There was a little boy named Samuel who lived in a small town. Samuel had a magnificent garden in his backyard, filled with sunflowers that towered over him like cheerful, golden giants. Every morning, he would race outside, watering them,...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:1-6
In 1 John 2:1-6, we read this passage as a vivid exposition of the interplay between Law and Gospel. The text underscores our call to walk as Christ walked, which the Law reveals as an impossible task for the old Adam, exposing our sin and the bondage of our will. Yet, it also delivers the Gospel pr
Faith and Salvation - Church Context
When we turn to Romans 8:28, we find a treasure trove of comfort and assurance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”...
A Story of Love - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I love about a young woman named Sarah, who faced a pivotal moment in her life. After college, she applied for her dream job, a position that promised to be a springboard for her career. Days turned...
The Power of Gentleness - Story
There was once a frail, elderly man named Mr. Thompson who lived alone at the edge of our community. Every Sunday, he would sit in the same pew at church, his white hair glistening in the sunlight streaming through the...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 through the lens of the theology of the cross. Here, Paul boasts of his weaknesses, and we see a clear picture of how God's power is perfected in human frailty. This passage is a profound proclamation of the Gospel — that our strength and righteousness are found not in
The Power of Redemption - Story
There was a woman named Sarah who lived in a small town, known for her bright smile and warm heart. Yet, beneath that cheerful exterior lay a past filled with regret and heartache. Years earlier, she had made choices that...
When Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
During a summer retreat, I met a woman named Clara. She was in her late fifties, a grandmother of three, and had a gentle smile that radiated warmth. But beneath that smile, Clara carried a heart weighed down by years...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:43-48
We read Matthew 5:43-48 through the Lutheran Lens as Law exposing our inability to fulfill God's command to love our enemies perfectly. This passage reveals the depth of our sin, for it demands a love that mirrors God's perfect love, which we, in our sinful nature, cannot achieve. The Law here drive
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Hebrews 13:1-6
We read Hebrews 13:1-6 through the lens of Law and Gospel, recognizing the exhortations to love, hospitality, and contentment as the Law's demands that expose our failures to live as we ought. Yet, nestled within these commands is the Gospel, reminding us of God's promise that He will never leave us
When Kindness - Story
There was a time in my life when I felt adrift, like a small boat lost at sea, surrounded by the vastness of uncertainty. It was during this tumultuous season that I encountered an unexpected lighthouse—a simple act of kindness...