In the monastery at Gethsemani, Thomas Merton described a moment when his carefully constructed spiritual identity simply fell away. He had spent years building what...

Luke 9:23Charismaticdiscipleship

Related Illustrations

Prayer

Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter

anglican collect prayer by Church of England

Universalsacrificeexample

Back to all illustrations

ChurchWiseAI

Voice Agent & Church Chatbot

24/7 AI phone receptionist and website chatbot for churches — answers calls, handles questions, and follows up with visitors automatically.

See AI Tools

AI voice agent & chatbot for your church — from $29.95/mo.

See Plans

Lens Perspective

Fire in Your Bones

When Aimee Semple McPherson stood before her congregation at Angelus Temple, she understood that following Jesus was never a casual stroll — it was a...

Luke 9:23Missionaldiscipleship

Lens Perspective

The Non-Negotiable Terms of Following Christ

In 1978, nearly three hundred evangelical scholars gathered in Chicago to draft the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. They understood something that many in our...

Luke 9:23Liberation Theologydiscipleship

Lens Perspective

The Contract That Cannot Be Amended

In 1647, the Westminster divines labored for years over every clause of their Confession, weighing each word against the infallible standard of Scripture. No phrase...

Luke 9:23Liberation Theologydiscipleship

Prayer

Thomas a Kempis — Imitate Christ's Patience

monastic devotional prayer by Thomas a Kempis

Universalimitationpatience

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

adults

Movie Analogy

Pay It Forward: Multiplication Through Response - Wesleyan (Great Commission)

Imagine a sunny afternoon in a bustling coffee shop in your hometown. The air is rich with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and laughter dances across the tables. A young boy named Jacob sits at a window, his big...

Matthew 28:18-20Arminian/Wesleyandiscipleshipmultiplication

adults

Movie Analogy

The Chosen: Jesus Training the Disciples - Christocentric (Proverbs 22:6)

Picture a sun-drenched afternoon in a neighborhood park, where the laughter of children fills the air like music. A father stands at the edge of the playground, watching his daughter, Kayla, as she teeters on the brink of the jungle...

Proverbs 22:6ChristocentricdiscipleshipChrist's training

adults

Movie Analogy

The Chronicles of Narnia: Aslan Sends His Followers - Christocentric (Great Commission)

As the final credits roll in *Prince Caspian*, we see a poignant moment that echoes deeply in our spiritual journey. Just as the Pevensie children step back through the wardrobe, leaving the magical land of Narnia, Aslan's voice resonates in...

Matthew 28:18-20ChristocentricChristauthority

adults

The Silent Surrender

Premium Illustration — Upgrade to Unlock

Topics & Themes

Scripture References

Powered by ChurchWiseAI

PewSearch

Free Photos for Your Sermon

More Illustrations for Luke 9:23

The Prayer That Prays You

Related Illustrations

Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter

ChurchWiseAI

Fire in Your Bones

The Non-Negotiable Terms of Following Christ

The Contract That Cannot Be Amended

Thomas a Kempis — Imitate Christ's Patience

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

Pay It Forward: Multiplication Through Response - Wesleyan (Great Commission)

The Chosen: Jesus Training the Disciples - Christocentric (Proverbs 22:6)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Aslan Sends His Followers - Christocentric (Great Commission)