One of the largest free collections of sermon illustrations, organized by topic, scripture, and theological tradition.

Stay updated

New illustrations, features & occasional discounts

Browse

By Topic
By Scripture
By Tradition
By Emotion
By Source Type
Sermon Slides

Resources

Sample Illustrations
About
Premium
Contact Us
SermonWise AI
PewSearch
ChurchWiseAI

Support

Contact Us
+1 (888) 603-0316
support@churchwiseai.com
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Refund Policy

Home›Traditions›Anabaptist

Anabaptist Illustrations

Radical discipleship, pacifism, and the church as a distinct counter-cultural community.

Key question: “How does this text call the community of faith to live as a distinct, counter-cultural witness to the Kingdom?”

23,290 sermon illustrations through the Anabaptist lens

LensLines™

Isaiah 6 — Universal (pastoral)

Isaiah 6: In context, it meets us gently—calls us to live the text’s core truth with integrity.

Isaiah 6UniversalHolinessCalling

Short

PreviousPage 483 of 971Next

17 words

LensLines™

1 Peter 3:18-22 — Universal (pastoral)

1 Peter 3:18-22 reminds weary hearts that God is near and grace meets us here.

1 Peter 3:18-22UniversalSuffering for RighteousnessChrist's Sacrifice

Short15 words

LensLines™

2 Timothy 1:1-14 — Universal (pastoral)

2 Timothy 1:1-14 invites weary hearts: receive God’s promise, then take the next faithful step.

2 Timothy 1:1-14UniversalFaithPerseverance

Short15 words

Historical

Pride's Degradation: Why Superiority Breeds Ruin

Consider two grave consequences: First, pride subjects a man to the imputation of folly.

Proverbs 29:23Universalconsequences of sinself-deception

Joseph S. Exell

208 words

Historical

A Just Conception of God: The Foundation of Wisdom

The latter we enjoy now through faith and hope; but the former is present with us, the certain consequence and necessary attendant upon a mind truly virtuous and religious.

Proverbs 9:10Universalreverent fear of Godproper understanding of divine character

Joseph S. Exell

290 words

Historical

Decency and Order in Divine Worship

Propriety demands three conditions: first, that things be done in their proper time; second, that they be kept to their proper use; third, that they be put in their proper place.

1 Corinthians 14:40Universalorder and reverencerestraint versus enthusiasm

Joseph S. Exell

230 words

Historical

Love More Effective Than Logic in Winning Hearts

Love proves far more effective than logic in attaining the best ends.

1 Corinthians 16:11UniversalLove's transformative powerHeart-centered persuasion

Joseph S. Exell

228 words

Historical

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin: Justice Perverted by Mob Mood

Everything depends upon the prevailing sentiment of the hour.

Mark 5:55Universalpersecution of the righteouscorruption of legal systems

Joseph S. Exell

239 words

Historical

Walking with the Wise: The Power of Chosen Company

The *peripateo* (walking) denotes chosen motion—not forced proximity, but intentional association.

Proverbs 13:20Universalspiritual formation through associationthe power of example

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Historical

The Daily Procession of Hours and Their Sacred Gifts

One Victorian writer imagined hours passing like solemn virgins in silent procession, their faces veiled, carrying caskets filled with treasures: brilliant diadems, ripe fruits, faded flowers.

Hebrews 4:7Universalthe value of daily momentsmissed opportunities for kindness

Joseph S. Exell

241 words

Historical

The Nature and Snare of Flattery in Sacred Relations

Exell (1887) identifies flattery's essential character: it assumes all forms and colors, a universal countenance indifferent to truth.

Proverbs 29:5Universalmoral accountabilitythe danger of deception

Joseph S. Exell

199 words

Historical

The Sluggard's Excuse: Present Neglect, Future Poverty

The present is intimately related to the future, and the future will faithfully reflect the character.

Proverbs 20:4Universalconsequences of lazinessurgency of present action

Joseph S. Exell

233 words

Historical

The Sedulity of Devout Women at the Sepulchre

Their *sedulity*—their persistent, uninterrupted devotion—admitted no indifference in their religious offices.

Mark 5:3Universalpersistent faithdevoted service

Joseph S. Exell

208 words

Historical

The Righteous Soul Determines the Body's Satisfaction

This text reveals a profound truth: bodily satisfaction depends entirely upon the soul's condition.

Proverbs 13:25Universalsoul and body integrationrighteousness brings satisfaction

Joseph S. Exell

209 words

Historical

Secret Faults: Sin's Subtle Disguise in the Sanctified Life

Cleanse Thou me from secret faults." — Psalm 19:12 Sin possesses a remarkable tenacity and cunning.

Psalms 19:12Universalself-deception and hidden sinspiritual subtlety of temptation

Joseph S. Exell

216 words

Historical

John's Desert Ministry: Why the Crowds Sought the Baptist

The Pharisees came, bound by scrupulous external observance and self-satisfied pride.

Mark 1:6Universalauthenticity versus hypocrisythe power of spiritual integrity

Joseph S. Exell

220 words

Movie Analogy

Twister: Anchored in the Storm (Matthew 7:24-27)

In Twister, storm chasers learn that the tornadoes destroy everything poorly anchored. Mobile homes explode; rooted farmhouses sometimes survive. At the climax, Jo and Bill strap themselves to pipes driven deep into the earth—and the F5 passes over them.

Matthew 7:24-27Universalfoundationstorm

Short89 words

Historical

Appreciation as the Elevating Force in Human Nature

You cannot bring forth the best in someone if you do not believe the best exists within him.

Matthew 9:11Universaldignity of the despisedtransformative love

Joseph S. Exell

246 words

Historical

Pleasure-Seeking as the Root of Poverty

Exell's commentary on Proverbs 20:17, the love of pleasure stands as "the secret of the failure of nine-tenths of our unsuccessful young men." The wise man identifies pleasure—particularly when pursued as *hedone* (self-gratification)—as fundamentally opposed to material and spiritual prosperity.

Proverbs 20:17Universalconsequences of self-indulgencecharacter formation through choices

Joseph S. Exell

210 words

Historical

The Prudent Man Deals with Knowledge; The Fool Displays His Folly

THE WISE MAN "He dealeth with knowledge." This declaration implies two critical truths.

Proverbs 13:16Universalthe contrast between wisdom and follyknowledge as divine foundation

Joseph S. Exell

231 words

Movie Analogy

The Shining: A Light the Darkness Cannot Overcome (Matthew 5:14-16)

In The Shining, the Overlook Hotel's evil threatens to consume Danny and his mother. But Danny has "the shine"—a psychic gift that calls for help across miles. His light is literally his salvation.

Matthew 5:14-16Universallightdarkness

Short98 words

Historical

The Necessity of Oversight: Why Direction Matters

Thomson illustrated through his experience managing laborers in Palestine.

Proverbs 5:7Universalthe cost of neglecting guidancehuman nature and accountability

Joseph S. Exell

197 words

Historical

Walking in the Way of Good Men

First, men cannot walk in good ways unless they leave the bad ones.

Proverbs 2:20Universalimitation of virtueseparation from evil

Joseph S. Exell

211 words

Historical

The Self-Deceived Mind Closes Against All Reformation

There is more hope of a fool than of him." The Scriptures overflow with denunciations against human self-sufficiency, and Solomon's writings particularly stigmatize the absurdity and guilt of a self-willed, self-sufficient spirit.

Proverbs 26:12Universalspiritual stagnation through pridethe danger of self-deception

Joseph S. Exell

222 words