AdventYear A

Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 7, 2025

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Gospel

Matthew 3:1-12

116 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

See all 54 voices →

UniversalClassic

14:25-33 shows the gospel pattern—God initiates grace, then forms a people who obey in love.

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

Timothy 3:14-4:5 invites a next step: repentance today, obedience tomorrow, love always—today, not someday.

PentecostalEdgy

91:1-6, 14-16 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: The Pharisees

The Pharisees The Pharisees were one of three major Jewish sects, along with the Sadducees and the Essenes. The Pharisees comprised a non-political lay movement within Judaism.

Matthew 3:7-3:10

Matthew 3:13-17 — Traditional (classic)

Matthew 3:13-17 Psalm 66:1-12, orthodoxy becomes obedience—truth received becomes truth lived—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17TraditionalBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Lutheran (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 80:1-2, 8-19 offers rest: you are loved before you are improved—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12LutheranJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Christocentric (edgy)

Matthew 3:13-17 14:25-33 exposes vague spirituality; only Christ saves—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17ChristocentricBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 Timothy 2:8-15 asks who benefits and who bleeds; God’s good news always has a direction—toward the marginalized.

Matthew 3:1-12Progressive/Social JusticeJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Dispensational (edgy)

Matthew 3:1-12 Jeremiah 1:4-10 feels intense, good; Scripture intends to wake a drowsy Church—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12DispensationalJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Pentecostal (edgy)

Matthew 3:1-12 91:1-6, 14-16 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12PentecostalJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 18:9-14 is a steady hand on the shoulder: God is near, and you are not alone in obedience.

Matthew 3:13-17UniversalBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Roman Catholic (edgy)

Matthew 3:13-17 Philemon 1-21 confronts you, it’s grace—God refuses to leave you shallow—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17Roman CatholicBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Dispensational (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 1:1-4; 2:1-4 invites holy urgency without panic—faithful living while we wait—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12DispensationalJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Roman Catholic (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 Hosea 1:2-10, salvation is a journey: justified by grace and formed through faithful practice.

Matthew 3:1-12Roman CatholicJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Reformed (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 18:1-8 comforts the weary: grace holds you when your grip is weak—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12ReformedJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Eastern Orthodox (classic)

Matthew 3:13-17 Luke 17:5-10, salvation is medicine: God restoring the image through prayer and repentance—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17Eastern OrthodoxBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Liberation Theology (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 137 invites solidarity: the suffering of the poor is a holy summons—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12Liberation TheologyJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Reformed (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 11:1-11 teaches that redemption is God’s work from beginning to end—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:1-12ReformedJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Black Church (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 16:19-31 offers holy endurance: God gives strength for the long road and joy for the weary.

Matthew 3:1-12Black ChurchJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Traditional (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 18:9-14 comforts the faithful: God keeps His promises and strengthens His Church to endure.

Matthew 3:13-17TraditionalBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Baptist (classic)

Matthew 3:13-17 16:19-31 calls for personal faith—repent, believe, and follow Jesus with a clear conscience—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17BaptistBaptismJesus' Identity

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 65 invites an honest response: God meets you where you are and calls you forward.

Matthew 3:1-12BaptistJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 Luke 13:10-17 is read aloud, hope gets a voice and fear loses the microphone.

Matthew 3:1-12UniversalJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Liberation Theology (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16, grace is not abstract; it breaks chains and confronts unjust power.

Matthew 3:1-12Liberation TheologyJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Anglican (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, God meets us through word and sacrament with steady, sustaining mercy.

Matthew 3:1-12AnglicanJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:1-12 — Roman Catholic (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 32:1-3a, 6-15 invites a pilgrim’s heart: return, receive grace, and keep walking with the saints.

Matthew 3:1-12Roman CatholicJohn the BaptistRepentance

LensLines™

Matthew 3:13-17 — Black Church (edgy)

Matthew 3:13-17 12:13-21 calls out quiet compromise—silence in suffering is not neutral—today, not someday.

Matthew 3:13-17Black ChurchBaptismJesus' Identity

View all 116 illustrations →

Second Sunday of Advent

Matthew 3:1-12

Biblical Profile: The Pharisees

Other readings this Sunday

Matthew 3:13-17 — Traditional (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Lutheran (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Christocentric (edgy)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Progressive/Social Justice (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Dispensational (edgy)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Pentecostal (edgy)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Roman Catholic (edgy)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Dispensational (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Roman Catholic (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Reformed (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Eastern Orthodox (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Liberation Theology (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Reformed (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Black Church (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Traditional (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Baptist (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Baptist (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Universal (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Liberation Theology (classic)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Anglican (pastoral)

Matthew 3:1-12 — Roman Catholic (pastoral)

Matthew 3:13-17 — Black Church (edgy)