Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 8:1-15
We read this passage as a powerful testament to God's commitment to liberating the oppressed. The plagues in Egypt are not random acts of aggression but deliberate divine interventions aimed at dismantling an oppressive system. Exodus 8:1-15 reveals God's unyielding resolve to break Pharaoh's hold o
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 1:16-17
We read Romans 1:16-17 as a declaration of the gospel's power to bring deliverance and liberation, not only spiritually but also socially and politically. This passage affirms that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, which includes the oppressed and marginalized. W
Theology of Humility - Application
The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:13, declares with fervor, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This profound statement is often appropriated as a rallying cry for personal success, yet it beckons us to a deeper understanding...
The Power of Peace - Contemporary Example
There was a young woman named Maria who lived in a bustling city. She was passionate about her career and deeply devoted to her faith, but one day, she received devastating news: her mother had been diagnosed with a terminal...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 1:18-23
We read Romans 1:18-23 as a profound critique of idolatry that holds relevance for the systemic injustices faced by marginalized communities. In this passage, we see a God who reveals divine wrath against all ungodliness, particularly against those who suppress the truth. The truth of God's justice
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Revelation 21:1-5
We read this passage as a profound declaration of God's promise to renew and restore the world, a vision of liberation where former things have passed away. Revelation 21:1-5 speaks to us of ultimate deliverance and the establishment of the beloved community, where God dwells among us, wiping away e
Morning Meditation: Humility - Story
As the first light of dawn spills through the kitchen window, a humble cup of coffee steams gently on the table. The aroma envelops me, inviting me to pause and reflect. In this everyday moment, I’m reminded of the promise...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Hebrews 12:1-2 (Run the Race)
We read Hebrews 12:1-2 as a powerful exhortation to persevere in the struggle for liberation and justice. Surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, the ancestors who endured the trials of slavery and segregation, we are called to run the race of faith with endurance. This passage speaks to our colle
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Timothy 6:3-10
We read 1 Timothy 6:3-10 as a powerful admonition against the idolatry of wealth and a call to godliness with contentment. This passage speaks directly to the experiences of our community, often marginalized by economic injustice. We hear in these words a warning against those who would preach a gos
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 5:1-23
We read this passage in Exodus 5 as a vivid illustration of the struggle for liberation. Pharaoh's hardened heart and oppressive demands reflect the systemic injustices that our people have faced throughout history. We see in Moses and Aaron's bold confrontation with Pharaoh a divine mandate to spea
Understanding Gentleness - Commentary
When we turn our hearts to Hebrews 11:1, we encounter a profound truth: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This verse encapsulates the essence of gentleness that reflects the character of...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Revelation 11:15-19
We read Revelation 11:15-19 as a triumphant declaration of God's ultimate deliverance and justice. The seventh trumpet signals the culmination of God's reign over all oppressive systems. This passage embodies our eschatological hope — that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lo
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We read this passage as a declaration that Scripture is the liberating Word of God, intended to equip us for every good work in the struggle for justice and freedom. The 'inspiration of God' is not abstract but deeply experiential, as we have seen the truth of Scripture unfold in our history of libe
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 38:1-7
We read Exodus 38:1-7 through the lens of liberation and divine craftsmanship, seeing the construction of the altar as a symbol of God's deliverance and presence among the people. The altar, made from bronze, a resilient material, represents the strength and enduring hope of our ancestors who built
Theology of Humility - Reflection
When the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” he invites us into a profound understanding of humility and sanctification. This declaration is not a mere rallying cry for personal empowerment,...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Luke 9:18-27
We read this passage as a call to discipleship that demands our full commitment to the liberating work of God in the world. When Jesus speaks of taking up the cross, we hear the call to stand in solidarity with the suffering and oppressed, just as He did. This is not a call to passive suffering but
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 11:1-10
We read Exodus 11:1-10 as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to deliverance and justice. This passage recounts the final plague that God would bring upon Egypt, highlighting God's active intervention in history to liberate an oppressed people. We see this as a profound affirmation t
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 1:15-22
We read this passage as a powerful testament to the God who acts decisively in history to deliver the oppressed. The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, are celebrated as early figures of resistance, embodying courage and faithfulness in the face of systemic oppression. Their defiance of Pharaoh's decree i
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We read this passage as a profound assurance of hope and deliverance, grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which guarantees that death and oppression do not have the final word. The Apostle Paul's words serve as a reminder that, like our ancestors who sang 'Soon I will be done with the trou
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 13:1-16
We read this passage as a foundational affirmation of God's commitment to deliverance and liberation. The consecration of the firstborn in Exodus 13:1-16 is a profound reminder of God's power to free the enslaved and set apart a people for Himself. It is a call to remember and celebrate our delivera
Reflecting on Patience - Church Context
As we gather today, let us reflect on the beautiful intersection of patience and hope in our church community, drawing inspiration from Philippians 4:13, where Paul declares, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” This profound declaration...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Exodus 15:1-21
We read Exodus 15:1-21 as a powerful song of deliverance, where the community of Israel celebrates their liberation from bondage by the mighty hand of God. This passage is not just an ancient hymn but a living testimony of God's intervention in history to free the oppressed. We see in this text a re
When Redemption - Story
There was a woman named Clara who lived in a small town, known for her radiant smile and unwavering faith. Yet, beneath her cheerful exterior lay a heart burdened by loss and disappointment. She had faced deep challenges—her husband’s unexpected...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 John 1:5-10
In 1 John 1:5-10, we read this as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering light that penetrates the darkness of oppression and sin. This passage speaks directly to our communal experience, affirming that God's light exposes injustice and calls us into the liberating truth. We see the call to walk in