Wesleyan/Methodist Illustrations
Entire sanctification, social holiness, prevenient grace.
Key question: “How does this text call us toward holiness and compassion?”
14918 illustrations found
The Example of Faith - Contemporary Example
Hannah’s story in the Bible is one of profound longing and hope. We often see her as a figure of despair, crying out for a child, but what strikes me is how she transformed her grief into faith. Picture her...
The Power of Grace - Contemporary Example
There’s a young woman named Sarah who grew up in a home where love felt conditional. As a child, she often felt the weight of unmet expectations, leading her to believe that her worth hinged on her performance. When she...
The Power of Redemption - Story
There was a man named Jack who lived in a small town, a place where everyone knew each other's business. Jack had made some poor choices in life, straying down paths that led to addiction and despair. Many in the...
Lessons from Kindness - Contemporary Example
Mary had always been the quiet one in her community, a dedicated volunteer at the local shelter, serving meals to those in need. Yet, despite her kindness, she often felt invisible, caught in the shadows of a world that seemed...
Lessons from Understanding - Contemporary Example
There’s a local community garden not far from here, a vibrant patch of earth tended by hands of all ages. Last spring, I witnessed something remarkable. A young girl, barely ten, stood at the edge of the garden, clutching a...
The Example of Faith - Story
Hannah had long lived in the shadow of despair. In a society that measured worth by motherhood, her empty arms felt like a constant reminder of her inadequacy. Yet, amidst the whispers of shame and the taunts of others, she...
Lessons from Sexuality
In a world where the complexities of sexuality often lead to confusion and heartache, we can find ourselves yearning for clarity and guidance. Picture this: in a bustling café, a young woman named Sarah sits at a corner table, her...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 6:1-15
We read this passage as a demonstration of Jesus' liberating power and a testament to God's provision for the oppressed. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 is not just about physical bread but about God's ability to meet the needs of marginalized communities. In this story, Jesus sees the hunger of th
The Ministry of Reconciliation: Healing Racial Division - Contemporary Example
The sermon emphasizes the church's role in the ministry of reconciliation, particularly in addressing racial issues as part of the Gospel's call for both spiritual and social healing. It highlights the importance of acknowledging cultural differences and engaging in personal and structural transformation to foster true racial reconciliation within the community.
Liberation and the God of the Oppressed - Story
The Black Church has historically proclaimed a Gospel that emphasizes both spiritual and social liberation, rooted in the experiences of oppression and suffering. Through the lens of Jesus' ministry and the historical context of African American struggles, the message highlights the importance of addressing systemic injustice while offering hope and solidarity to the marginalized. This tradition has been pivotal in shaping America's liberation movements, affirming that the Gospel speaks to both individual and collective salvation.
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 2:1-11
We read this passage as a sign of God's abundant grace and transformative power that breaks into the mundane realities of life. In John 2:1-11, Jesus turns water into wine, embodying the liberating God who transforms scarcity into abundance. This miracle whispers of God's deliverance, a theme resona
When Wisdom - Biblical Analogy
Imagine a master carpenter in a small town, known for creating the most breathtaking furniture. His hands, weathered from years of work, tell stories of dedication and artistry. One day, a young apprentice approached him, eager to learn but brimming...
Scripture Study: Black Church Tradition Lens Interpretation Methods
The words of Romans 8:28 resonate deeply within the heart of the Black Church tradition, a tradition that has long celebrated resilience in the face of adversity. This verse, which declares that “all things work together for good for those...
The Ministry of Reconciliation: Healing Racial Division - Story
The sermon emphasizes the church's role in the ministry of reconciliation, particularly in addressing racial injustices. It highlights the necessity of acknowledging cultural differences and the ongoing commitment to both personal and systemic transformation for true healing and unity within the body of Christ.
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 4:1-4
We read John 4:1-4 as a testament to Jesus' intentional crossing of societal boundaries, embodying liberation and reconciliation. Jesus' journey through Samaria, a region despised by the Jews, signifies God's movement toward breaking down entrenched barriers of race, ethnicity, and social division.
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Psalm 10:1-15
We read this passage as a bold cry for deliverance, echoing the cries of our ancestors who sought God's intervention in the face of systemic evil and personal affliction. The psalmist's lament about God's apparent distance and the triumph of the wicked resonates deeply with the Black Church experien
Evening Prayer: Faithfulness - Prayer
As the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the sky, there’s a quiet invitation for us to pause and reflect. In this sacred evening moment, we find ourselves in the embrace of Philippians 4:13: “I...
The Example of Perseverance - Contemporary Example
There’s a story I often think about that beautifully illustrates perseverance and transformation. A dear friend of mine, Karen, faced a season in her life that I can only describe as a relentless storm. Diagnosed with a chronic illness, she...
A Story of Humility - Contemporary Example
Sarah had always been a high achiever. In her small town, she was known for her academic brilliance, excelling in everything from sports to music. But as she entered college, the pressures mounted, and her sense of identity began to...
Evening Prayer: Faithfulness - Biblical Insight
As evening falls and the sun casts its warm golden hues, I invite you to pause amidst the day's busyness. In these quiet moments, as shadows stretch and the air cools, we find an opportunity to reflect on the truth...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 17:1-13
We read this passage as a revelation of Jesus' divine identity and his commitment to liberation. The transfiguration reveals the glory of the one who stands in solidarity with the oppressed. Just as Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, representing the Law and the Prophets, we see continuity with the
Morning Meditation: Mercy - Prayer
As the sun rises each morning, it casts golden rays that pierce through the darkness, offering a new beginning. This is a reflection of God’s mercy, gently inviting us back into His embrace, reminding us of His promise in Jeremiah...
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...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 5:10-18
We read this passage as a profound encounter between Jesus and the religious authorities of his day, who sought to bind the people with legalism rather than liberate them through grace. This scripture speaks to us of Jesus' radical act of healing on the Sabbath, which we interpret as a divine assert