Progressive Christianity Illustrations
Inclusivity, doubt as faith, justice-centered reading.
Key question: “How does this challenge systems of oppression and invite radical inclusion?”
10348 illustrations found
The Clock Is Ticking - Dispensational (John 3:16)
In January 2023, the Doomsday Clock was set to 90 seconds to midnight—the closest it's ever been to symbolic catastrophe. Scientists point to nuclear threats, climate change, and global instability. T...
The Dispensation of Grace - Dispensational (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Dispensationalists note: Ephesians 2:8-9 describes the current dispensation—the age of grace. Before the cross, salvation was anticipated through faith in coming redemption. Now salvation is received ...
Israel's Continuing Promise - Dispensational (Jeremiah 29:11)
Dispensationalists note: Jeremiah 29:11 was given to Israel specifically. While Christians can draw application, the primary reference is God's covenant people. And the promise has been literally, his...
The Spirit's Work in This Age - Dispensational (Galatians 5:22-23)
Dispensationalists note: the Spirit's permanent indwelling is a distinctive of the church age. Old Testament believers experienced the Spirit differently; the Spirit came "upon" them for specific task...
Israel's 2,000-Year Wait - Dispensational (Isaiah 40:31)
For nearly 2,000 years, Jews ended Passover with "Next year in Jerusalem"—waiting for return to their homeland. The wait seemed endless; hopes faded and revived across generations. Then 1948: Israel r...
Israel's Scattering and Regathering - Dispensational (Romans 8:28)
For nearly 2,000 years, the Jewish people were scattered across the earth—persecuted, exiled, nearly exterminated. Yet in 1948, Israel was reborn as a nation, fulfilling prophecies spoken millennia ea...
Love for Eternity - Dispensational (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
"Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away." In dispensational perspective, some gifts are for this age; love is for...
The Shepherd Through All Ages - Dispensational (Psalm 23)
Psalm 23 spans dispensations. David wrote it in the age of law; it applies perfectly in the age of grace. It will be true in the millennium when the Good Shepherd rules from Jerusalem. "I shall dwell ...
Trusting God's Prophetic Plan - Dispensational (Proverbs 3:5-6)
End-times students often try to decode every headline, predicting exact dates and events. But "lean not on your own understanding" applies to eschatology too. The disciples asked Jesus about times and...
On This Day: French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre proposes the Self-denying Ordinance. (1791)
On May 15, 1791: French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre proposes the Self-denying Ordinance. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the event...
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of Raymond: Two divisions of James B. McPherson's... (1863)
On May 12, 1863: American Civil War: Battle of Raymond: Two divisions of James B. McPherson's XVII Corps turn the left wing of Confederate General John C. Pemberton's defensive line on Fourteen Mile C...
On This Day: Maria Theresa of Austria is crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival,... (1743)
On May 12, 1743: Maria Theresa of Austria is crowned Queen of Bohemia after defeating her rival, Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abo...
On This Day: World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of... (1943)
On May 14, 1943: World War II: A Japanese submarine sinks AHS Centaur off the coast of Queensland. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its imp...
On This Day: Mindon Min was crowned as King of Burma in Mandalay, Burma. (1857)
On May 14, 1857: Mindon Min was crowned as King of Burma in Mandalay, Burma. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it...
On This Day: The 1926 United Kingdom general strike ends. (1926)
On May 12, 1926: The 1926 United Kingdom general strike ends. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching...
On This Day: American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia... (1864)
On May 15, 1864: American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate army to force Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley....
On This Day: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France. (1774)
On May 10, 1774: Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette become King and Queen of France. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider usin...
On This Day: Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins. (1656)
On July 28, 1656: Second Northern War: Battle of Warsaw begins. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it ...
On This Day: World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma... (1942)
On May 10, 1942: World War II: The Thai Phayap Army invades the Shan States during the Burma Campaign. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through th...
On This Day: In the Papal States, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti is elected Pope, and takes... (1721)
On May 8, 1721: In the Papal States, Cardinal Michelangelo dei Conti is elected Pope, and takes the name Innocent XIII. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God...
On This Day: Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II. (1987)
On May 11, 1987: Klaus Barbie goes on trial in Lyon for war crimes committed during World War II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the eve...
On This Day: First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United... (1801)
On May 10, 1801: First Barbary War: The Barbary pirates of Tripoli declare war on the United States of America. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation ...
On This Day: World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg. (1940)
On May 10, 1940: World War II: German fighters accidentally bomb the German city of Freiburg. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events ...
On This Day: The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished. (1849)
On May 15, 1849: The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider...