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: 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
Living Faith: Black Church Tradition Lens Principles for Daily Life
As we reflect on Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations, promising His presence as we do so. This powerful commissioning can often feel overwhelming, yet it’s vital to remember that the path to discipleship is...
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
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: 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
A Story of Hope - Story
There was a gentle autumn evening when a young mother named Sarah found herself walking home from work, her heart heavy with worry. She had just received news that her husband, Tom, had lost his job. As she strolled past...
When Kindness - Story
Last summer, our church embarked on an ambitious project to renovate a local community center that had fallen into disrepair. As we gathered together, I noticed a quiet woman named Clara, who had always sat at the back of our...
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
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 5:6-11
We read this passage as a call to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, trusting that in due time, He will lift us up. It's an assurance that God cares deeply about our struggles and invites us to cast all anxieties on Him, knowing that He is a God of deliverance who sees and acts. In a wor
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Philippians 2:5-8
We read this passage as a call to embody the liberating humility of Christ, who, though equal with God, took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross. This is solidarity with the oppressed, a willing identification with those who suffer, reflecting God's ult
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
We read this passage as a profound declaration of the new creation that God has inaugurated in Christ Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, we see the ministry of reconciliation as a call to be agents of liberation and justice. The old has passed away, and the new has come — a new identity shaped by the
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
We read this passage as a powerful testament to the transformative power of resurrection, both in the life to come and in our present struggle for liberation. The imagery of the seed sown in dishonor and raised in glory speaks to our own history of suffering and deliverance. Just as God raised Jesus
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Galatians 2:15-21
We read this passage as a proclamation of the liberating power of faith in Jesus Christ. Paul declares that we are justified not by the oppressive systems of law but by faith, which aligns with our understanding that true freedom comes through Christ. This passage speaks directly to our experience,
Real-World Gentleness - Teaching Material
Imagine a small community garden, nestled in the heart of a bustling city. Each plant represents a person, with their unique story and purpose. As the gardener tends to this patch of earth, he does so with care and gentleness,...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 12:14-21
We read Romans 12:14-21 as a call to embody the radical love and justice of Jesus in the face of oppression and adversity. This passage challenges us to bless those who persecute us, to overcome evil with good, and to live at peace with everyone, but not at the expense of justice. We see this as God
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Ephesians 2:11-22
We read Ephesians 2:11-22 as a proclamation of God's power to break down the walls of division and hostility that oppress and separate us. This passage declares that through the blood of Jesus, we are no longer strangers or aliens but members of the beloved community, reconciled not just to God but
Lessons from Gentleness - Biblical Analogy
A few years ago, I found myself in a garden, watching a novice gardener attempt to tend to his struggling plants. With each weed he pulled, I could see his frustration grow. The thorns and brambles seemed relentless, and he...
When Courage - Story
In a small town, nestled between rolling hills, there lived a woman named Clara. She was known for her gentle spirit, a soft smile that could light up the darkest day, and her unshakeable faith in God. But Clara faced...
The Example of Righteousness - Story
There was a small town where a wise old man lived at the edge of a serene lake. His reputation for wisdom drew people from far and wide, seeking guidance for their troubled hearts. One day, a young woman approached...
Spiritual Insight: Redemption - Biblical Insight
As we gather this morning, let's reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make...
Evening Prayer: Compassion - Prayer
As the sun sets and the world begins to quiet, it’s a perfect time for evening prayer—a sacred space to reflect on our day and the compassionate call Christ has placed on our hearts. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands us...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Luke 15:11-32
We read the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 as a profound narrative of liberation, reconciliation, and the radical grace of a God who welcomes us home. This story speaks to our collective journey from bondage to freedom, reminding us of the God who runs to meet us in our brokenness. The
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Titus 3:3-8
In Titus 3:3-8, we read this passage as a declaration of God's transformative power manifest in our lives. This text reminds us of our past enslavement to sin and the liberating grace that has now set us free. We see our stories in these verses — once bound by forces beyond our control, now delivere