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The Porch Light on Garfield Avenue - Illustration on Sermon | IllustrateTheWord

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Stories & Illustrations

The Porch Light on Garfield Avenue

Source: ChurchWiseAI265 wordsAI-crafted by ChurchWiseAI

For eleven years, Maria Gutierrez left her porch light on at 4319 Garfield Avenue in Kansas City. Not because she forgot. Because she remembered. Her...

This is stories & illustrations, drawing on Matthew 5:13-20.

For eleven years, Maria Gutierrez left her porch light on at 4319 Garfield Avenue in Kansas City. Not because she forgot. Because she remembered. Her block had grown dark in more ways than one. Streetlights stayed broken for months. Neighbors stopped sitting outside. Kids walked home from school through shadows that made their mothers pray harder. One by one, families pulled their curtains shut and locked their doors by sundown.…

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Scripture References

Matthew 5:13-20

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More Illustrations for Matthew 5:13-20

4 more illustrations anchored to this passage

Matthew 5:13-20 — Lutheran (pastoral)

Matthew 5:13-20 137 comforts the accused conscience: the verdict in Christ is mercy, not condemnation—today, not someday.

Matthew 5:13-20Lutheran

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Salt and Light

Righteousness

Short17 words

Matthew 5:13-20 — Lutheran (classic)

Matthew 5:13-20 2:6-15 shows that freedom is received by faith, not achieved by effort—today, not someday.

Matthew 5:13-20LutheranSalt and LightRighteousness

Matthew 5:13-20 — Lutheran (edgy)

Matthew 5:13-20 Lamentations 1:1-6 annoys your ego, it’s because the gospel won’t let you be your own savior.

Matthew 5:13-20LutheranSalt and LightRighteousness

Matthew 5:13-20 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 5:13-20 Luke 14:25-33, love becomes public: the kingdom confronts systems that crush the vulnerable—today, not someday.

Matthew 5:13-20Progressive/Social JusticeSalt and LightRighteousness