Ordinary TimeYear A

Trinity Sunday

Sunday, June 7, 2026

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First Reading

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

262 illustrations

LensLines™ — One Text. Seventeen Voices.

See all 54 voices →

UniversalClassic

Luke 18:1-8, the text presses one question: will we trust God’s Word and live it?

Arminian/WesleyanPastoral

Psalm 119:97-104, God’s love meets you before you’re ready—and strengthens you to say yes.

PentecostalEdgy

Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12 exposes our control; the Spirit refuses to be managed—today, not someday.

Sermon Illustration

Molokai Snorkeling: Experiencing Creation's Beauty (Genesis 1:20-23)

Personal illustration about snorkeling in Molokai, Hawaii on honeymoon, connecting the wonder of marine life to God's creative command on the fifth day.

Genesis 1:20-23

Mercy & Justice: Noah's Sin with the Vineyard

Illustration paralleling Noah's sin with the vineyard to Adam's sin with fruit—both crossed boundaries, both ended in shameful nakedness needing covering, but both were covered by righteousness through faith (Genesis 15:6).

Genesis 9:20-23ReformedNoah's sinAdam parallel

adults

Sermon Illustration

Blessed to Be a Blessing: Abraham & Sarah's Laughter

Illustration showing that even Abraham and Sarah laughed at God's promises (Genesis 17:17, 18:12), but God's response—"Is anything too hard for the Lord?"—rescues us from both pride and despair.

Genesis 17:17Universalcynical laughteris anything too hard

adults

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Ishmael

Ishmael Ishmael was Abraham’s first son, born of Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. The boy was born near Hebron when Abraham was eighty-six years old (Gen 13:18; 16:16).

Genesis 16:11-16:16Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Melchizedek

Melchizedek Melchizedek is a mysterious biblical personality whose name means “king of righteousness.” He was a Canaanite priest and king; there is no record of his family or of the beginning or end of his life. Abraham met Melchizedek after defeating four Mesopotamian kings.

Genesis 14:18-14:20Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Lot

Lot Lot was Abraham’s nephew and the ancestor of the Moabites and Ammonites. Like Abraham, Lot was born in Ur and accompanied Terah to Haran (Gen 11:27-32). After Terah’s death, he joined Abraham in journeying to Canaan and Egypt.

Genesis 19:1-19:38Universalbiblical_peoplecovenant

Movie Analogy

The Elephant Man: You Knit Me Together (Psalm 139:13-16)

In The Elephant Man, John Merrick suffers severe deformities that make him a carnival freak. Frederick Treves sees past the exterior to the gentle, intelligent soul within. I am not an animal! I am a human being! Merrick cries.

Psalm 139:13-16Universaldignityimage of God

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Hagar

Hagar Hagar was the Egyptian servant of Sarai, Abram’s wife. When God commanded Abram to leave Mesopotamia, he promised him a multitude of descendants who would be given a new land (Gen 12:2, 7).

Genesis 16:1-16:16Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Sarah

Sarah Sarah was Abraham’s wife and half sister (Gen 11:29; 20:12). She accompanied Abraham from Ur to Haran to Canaan (11:31; 12:5).

Genesis 17:15-17:22Universalbiblical_peoplefaith

Character Profile

Biblical Profile: Abraham

Abraham “By faith . Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land. He went without knowing where he was going. Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him” (Heb 11:8, 17).

Genesis 11:26-25:11Universalbiblical_peoplesalvation

LensLines™

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Reformed (classic)

In Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, God’s covenant faithfulness outlasts human failure and calls forth obedience—today, not someday.

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18ReformedCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Roman Catholic (edgy)

If Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 confronts you, it’s grace—God refuses to leave you shallow—today, not someday.

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18Roman CatholicCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

If Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 threatens your “normal,” ask who your normal has been hurting—today, not someday.

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18Progressive/Social JusticeCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Eastern Orthodox (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a 119:97-104 confronts our distractions—without watchfulness, we lose our souls by inches—today, not someday.

Genesis 12:1-4aEastern OrthodoxCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Charismatic (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a 80:1-2, 8-19 confronts hype—manifestations without love are spiritual noise—today, not someday.

Genesis 12:1-4aCharismaticCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 1:1-2:4a — Universal (pastoral)

Genesis 1:1-2:4a 1-21 is a steady hand on the shoulder: God is near, and you are not alone in obedience.

Genesis 1:1-2:4aUniversalCreationDivine Sovereignty

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Christocentric (pastoral)

Genesis 12:1-4a 1:1, 10-20 comforts us with Christ: not a concept, but a Savior who draws near.

Genesis 12:1-4aChristocentricCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Missional (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a 71:1-6 shows redemption as restoration—God reclaiming creation through Christ—today, not someday.

Genesis 12:1-4aMissionalCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 1:1-2:4a — Universal (edgy)

Genesis 1:1-2:4a Isaiah 5:1-7 irritates you, it may be because God is touching the idol you protect.

Genesis 1:1-2:4aUniversalCreationDivine Sovereignty

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Traditional (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a Timothy 1:12-17 calls us back to the historic faith: repentance, trust in Christ, and life shaped by Scripture.

Genesis 12:1-4aTraditionalCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Anglican (pastoral)

Genesis 12:1-4a Luke 16:19-31, God meets us through word and sacrament with steady, sustaining mercy—today, not someday.

Genesis 12:1-4aAnglicanCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Christocentric (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a 15:1-10 won’t let you settle for inspiration—Jesus demands allegiance—today, not someday.

Genesis 12:1-4aChristocentricCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Universal (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a 119:137-144 shows the gospel pattern—God initiates grace, then forms a people who obey in love.

Genesis 12:1-4aUniversalCovenant PromiseFaith

LensLines™

Genesis 12:1-4a — Roman Catholic (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a 4:11-12, 22-28 calls the Church to be a visible sign of God’s mercy in the world.

Genesis 12:1-4aRoman CatholicCovenant PromiseFaith

View all 262 illustrations →

Trinity Sunday

Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Molokai Snorkeling: Experiencing Creation's Beauty (Genesis 1:20-23)

Other readings this Sunday

Mercy & Justice: Noah's Sin with the Vineyard

Blessed to Be a Blessing: Abraham & Sarah's Laughter

Biblical Profile: Ishmael

Biblical Profile: Melchizedek

Biblical Profile: Lot

The Elephant Man: You Knit Me Together (Psalm 139:13-16)

Biblical Profile: Hagar

Biblical Profile: Sarah

Biblical Profile: Abraham

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Reformed (classic)

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Roman Catholic (edgy)

Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 — Progressive/Social Justice (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Eastern Orthodox (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Charismatic (edgy)

Genesis 1:1-2:4a — Universal (pastoral)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Christocentric (pastoral)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Missional (classic)

Genesis 1:1-2:4a — Universal (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Traditional (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Anglican (pastoral)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Christocentric (edgy)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Universal (classic)

Genesis 12:1-4a — Roman Catholic (classic)