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Home›Emotions›Awe

Awe Illustrations

4558 illustrations evoking awe

Theological Reflection

Theology of Pride - Commentary

As we gather in the sacred space of our community, let us delve into a topic that resonates deeply in our hearts and society: the interplay of Pride and Christian theology. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul presents us with...

Galatians 5:22-23Reformed

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355 words

Theological Reflection

Faith and Ascension Day - Teaching Material

As we gather on this momentous Ascension Day, we find ourselves at a crossroads of hope and profound theological reflection. The words of Titus 3:5 remind us that our salvation is not born of our works, but of His mercy—pure,...

Titus 3:5Anglican

Theological Reflection

Theological Perspective: Salvation - Teaching Material

When we turn our hearts to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we encounter a profound portrait of love that serves as a divine revelation of God’s grace and the fullness of our salvation. Paul reminds us that love is patient, kind, and...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Christocentric

Sermon Illustration

The Potter Who Uses Broken Pieces - Wesleyan (Romans 8:28)

A Japanese art form called kintsugi repairs broken pottery with gold, making the cracks visible and beautiful. The philosophy: breakage and repair are part of the object's history, not something to hide. God works similarly.

Romans 8:28Arminian/Wesleyankintsugibroken

Sermon Illustration

Perfect Love Casts Out Fear - Wesleyan (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Wesley taught entire sanctification—a heart so filled with love that other motives are displaced. "Love is not jealous... not boastful... not proud." These negatives describe what love pushes out. Where perfect love reigns, jealousy, pride, and self-seeking have no room.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Arminian/Wesleyanperfect lovesanctification

Sermon Illustration

C.S. Lewis and the Reluctant Convert - Anglican (John 3:16)

Lewis called himself "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." He didn't want God to exist; the universe felt safer without one. But the evidence kept piling up until, riding in his brother's motorcycle sidecar, he simply gave in.

John 3:16AnglicanC.S. Lewisconversion

Sermon Illustration

The Spirituals Born from Suffering - Black Church (Romans 8:28)

The spirituals—"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Go Down Moses," "Wade in the Water"—were born in unspeakable suffering. Enslaved people with no political power, no legal rights, created music that has outlasted their oppressors. The songs encoded resistance, sustained hope, and now bless the world.

Romans 8:28Black Churchspiritualssuffering

Sermon Illustration

The Amish Forgiveness at Nickel Mines - Anabaptist (Philippians 4:13)

In 2006, a gunman killed five Amish girls at a schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. The world expected rage. Instead, the Amish community visited the killer's family with forgiveness, attended his funeral, and set up a fund for his widow.

Philippians 4:13AnabaptistAmishforgiveness

Sermon Illustration

Love That Endures Oppression - Black Church (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." The Black Church has borne much: slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, discrimination. Yet it kept loving—loving God, loving community, even insisting on loving enemies. "Love keeps no record...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Black Churchenduranceoppression

Sermon Illustration

The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo - Liberation (Philippians 4:13)

During Argentina's Dirty War, mothers whose children were "disappeared" began marching weekly in Buenos Aires' Plaza de Mayo, demanding answers. They faced threats, ridicule, danger. They were ordinary women—housewives, grandmothers—who found strength they didn't know they had.

Philippians 4:13Liberation TheologyMothersPlaza de Mayo

Sermon Illustration

Divine Love Transforming Human Love - Orthodox (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

1 Corinthians 13 describes agape—love that is God's nature shared with humans. We don't generate this love; we participate in it through theosis. Maximus the Confessor taught that as we grow in union with God, His love increasingly becomes our love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Eastern Orthodoxagapetheosis

Sermon Illustration

Grace Against Meritocracy - Progressive (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Our culture worships meritocracy: you get what you earn, you deserve what you have. But Ephesians 2:8-9 subverts this idol: "Not by works, so that no one can boast." Grace undermines the myth that the successful earned their success and the struggling deserve their struggles.

Ephesians 2:8-9Progressive/Social Justicemeritocracygift

Sermon Illustration

Cyril and Methodius: Apostles to the Slavs - Orthodox (Matthew 28:18-20)

In the 9th century, brothers Cyril and Methodius were sent to evangelize the Slavic peoples. They didn't just preach—they created an alphabet (Cyrillic) so the Slavs could read Scripture in their own language. They translated the liturgy, defended local customs, and trained local clergy.

Matthew 28:18-20Eastern OrthodoxCyrilMethodius

The Tree of Life: Participating in Divine Love - Orthodox

In Terrence Malick's poignant film *The Tree of Life*, we are taken on a breathtaking journey that spans the vastness of the universe and dives into the intimate moments of family life. Picture a quiet Texas backyard, where the golden...

John 3:16Eastern Orthodoxtheosisincarnation

Sermon Illustration

The Commission That Includes Justice - Progressive (Matthew 28:18-20)

In 1980, four American churchwomen were murdered in El Salvador while serving the poor. They weren't just preaching; they were feeding, healing, advocating. The military saw their work as subversive—because the Great Commission IS subversive.

Matthew 28:18-20Progressive/Social JusticechurchwomenEl Salvador

Sermon Illustration

Love That Keeps No Record - Anabaptist (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

In 2006, Charles Roberts entered an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, and killed five girls before taking his own life. Within hours, Amish neighbors visited his widow—offering forgiveness, comfort, even financial support for her children. "Love keeps no record...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7AnabaptistAmishforgiveness

Sermon Illustration

Grace Shown in Community - Anabaptist (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Early Anabaptists challenged: if we're saved by grace, what does that look like? They pointed to the verses following: "created for good works." Grace saves; grace transforms; grace creates a new community. Menno Simons said true faith inevitably produces new life together.

Ephesians 2:8-9Anabaptistgracecommunity

Sermon Illustration

The Azusa Street Love - Pentecostal (John 3:16)

When the Azusa Street Revival erupted in 1906 Los Angeles, reporters came to mock. What they found shocked them: Black and white worshippers together, men and women leading side by side, rich and poor on the same floor.

John 3:16PentecostalAzusa Streetrevival

Sermon Illustration

Amanda Berry Smith: Evangelist to the World - Black Church (Matthew 28:18-20)

Amanda Berry Smith was born into slavery, became a washerwoman, and then—against every social expectation—became an international evangelist. She preached in India, Africa, and across America. White church leaders often refused her a platform; she went where doors opened. "Go...

Matthew 28:18-20Black ChurchAmanda Berry Smithevangelist

Sermon Illustration

Law and Gospel: God's Two Words - Contemporary Example

The content emphasizes the distinction between Law and Gospel in Lutheran theology, highlighting the Law's role in revealing sin and the Gospel's power in providing salvation through faith. It underscores the continuous need for both elements in the Christian life, guiding believers in their sanctification while offering comfort through God's grace.

Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:24, Romans 1:16Lutheran

Sermon Illustration

Law and Gospel: God's Two Words - Story

The content emphasizes the distinction between Law and Gospel, highlighting the Law's role in revealing sin and the Gospel's power in providing salvation through faith in Christ. It underscores the ongoing need for both elements in the Christian life, fostering dependence on God's grace while guiding sanctification.

Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:24, Romans 1:16Lutheran

Sermon Illustration

The Power of Wisdom - Story

In a small village nestled between mountains, there lived an elderly woman named Maria. Known for her wisdom, she became a beacon of light for many who sought her guidance. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and...

Joshua 1:9Reformed

Sermon Illustration

A Story of Justice - Story

There’s a remarkable story from a small town that always reminds me of God’s call to justice and forgiveness. A young man named Eli had a troubled past. Years ago, in a moment of rage, he made a terrible choice...

Joshua 1:9Anglican

Biblical Insight

The Meaning of Righteousness - Reflection

Righteousness, as beautifully articulated in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, invites us into a transformative journey—a journey marked not merely by adherence to moral codes but by the profound internal change that reflects God’s love. The Apostle Paul describes love as patient,...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7Roman Catholic