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

Stay updated

New illustrations, features & occasional discounts

Website

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›Progressive/Social Justice

Progressive/Social Justice Illustrations

Reading scripture through liberation, equality, and advocacy for the marginalized.

Key question: “How does this text speak to issues of justice, equality, and the liberation of the oppressed?”

25,724 sermon illustrations through the Progressive/Social Justice lens

Poetry

Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near

If thy soul check thee that I come so near, Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy 'Will', And will, thy soul knows, is admitted there; Thus far for love, my love-suit, sweet, fulfil.

Universal

William Shakespeare

115 words

PreviousPage 965 of 1072Next

Poetry

Fragment: To the Mind of Man

Thou living light that in thy rainbow hues Clothest this naked world; and over Sea And Earth and air, and all the shapes that be In peopled darkness of this wondrous world The Spirit of thy glory dost diffuse ...

Universal

Percy Bysshe Shelley

104 words

Poetry

Stanzas to a Lady, With the Poems of CamoëNs

This votive pledge of fond esteem, Perhaps, dear girl! for me thou'lt prize; It sings of Love's enchanting dream, A theme we never can despise. Who blames it but the envious fool, The old and disappointed maid? Or pupil of...

Universal

George Gordon, Lord Byron

106 words

Poetry

Meet Me in the Green Glen

Love, meet me in the green glen, Beside the tall elm tree, Where the sweet briar smells so sweet agen; There come with me, Meet me in the green glen.

391. A Tippling Ballad—When Princes and Prelates, etc.

WHEN Princes and Prelates, And hot-headed zealots, A’ Europe had set in a low, a low, The poor man lies down, Nor envies a crown, And comforts himself as he dow, as he dow, And comforts himself as he dow.

I started Early -- Took my Dog --

I started Early -- Took my Dog -- And visited the Sea -- The Mermaids in the Basement Came out to look at me --...

297. Election Ballad for Westerha’

THE LADDIES by the banks o’ Nith Wad trust his Grace 1 wi a’, Jamie; But he’ll sair them, as he sair’d the King— Turn tail and rin awa’, Jamie.

Joy to have merited the Pain --

Joy to have merited the Pain -- To merit the Release -- Joy to have perished every step -- To Compass Paradise -- Pardon --...

Fragment

all is past--swift time has fled away, Yet its swell pauses on my sickening mind; How long will horror nerve this frame of clay? I'm dead, and lingers yet my soul behind.

447. Song—A red, red Rose

O MY Luve’s like a red, red rose, That’s newly sprung in June: O my Luve’s like the melodie, That’s sweetly play’d in tune.

From “Later Life”

VI We lack, yet cannot fix upon the lack: Not this, nor that; yet somewhat, certainly. We see the things we do not yearn to see Around us: and what see we glancing back?

A Better Resurrection

I have no wit, no words, no tears; My heart within me like a stone Is numbed too much for hopes or fears.

Sonnet 30 - I see thine image through my tears to-night

How Refer the cause?—Beloved, is it thou Or I, who makes me sad? The acolyte Amid the chanted joy and thankful rite May so fall flat, with pale insensate brow, On the altar-stair.

Universal

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Short98 words

Poetry

I rose -- because He sank --

I rose -- because He sank -- I thought it would be opposite -- But when his power dropped -- My Soul grew straight. I...

Homer's Hymn to Castor and Pollux

Ye wild-eyed Muses, sing the Twins of Jove, Whom the fair-ankled Leda, mixed in love With mighty Saturn's Heaven-obscuring Child, On Taygetus, that lofty mountain wild, Brought forth in joy: mild Pollux, void of blame, And steed-subduing Castor, heirs of fame.

304. Song—I Murder hate

I MURDER hate by flood or field, Tho’ glory’s name may screen us; In wars at home I’ll spend my blood— Life-giving wars of Venus. The deities that I adore Are social Peace and Plenty; I’m better pleas’d to make...

Epitaph for Joseph Blacket, Late Poet and Shoemaker

behold, interred together, The _souls_ of learning and of leather. Poor Joe is gone, but left his _all_: You'll find his relics in a _stall_. His works were neat, and often found Well stitched, and with _morocco_ bound.

Universal

George Gordon, Lord Byron

Short91 words

Poetry

494. Song—Farewell thou stream that winding flows

FAREWELL, thou stream that winding flows Around Eliza’s dwelling; O mem’ry! spare the cruel thoes Within my bosom swelling. Condemn’d to drag a hopeless chain And yet in secret languish; To feel a fire in every vein, Nor dare disclose my anguish.

Remind Me Not, Remind Me Not

Remind me not, remind me not, Of those beloved, those vanish'd hours, When all my soul was given to thee; Hours that may never be...

Universal

George Gordon, Lord Byron

269 words

Poetry

449. Song—The Flowery banks of Cree

HERE is the glen, and here the bower All underneath the birchen shade; The village-bell has told the hour, O what can stay my lovely maid? ’Tis not Maria’s whispering call; ’Tis but the balmy breathing gale, Mixt with some...

Sonnet 32 - The first time that the sun rose on thine oath

The first time that the sun rose on thine oath To love me, I looked forward to the moon To slacken all those bonds which seemed too soon And quickly tied to make a lasting troth.

Universal

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

104 words

Poetry

Sonnet 33 - Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear

Yes, call me by my pet-name! let me hear The name I used to run at, when a child, From innocent play, and leave the cowslips piled, To glance up in some face that proved me dear With the look of its eyes.

Universal

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

106 words

Poetry

Sonnet 38: How can my muse want subject to invent

How can my muse want subject to invent, While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse Thine own sweet argument, too excellent For every vulgar paper to rehearse?

324. Song—The Charms of Lovely Davies

O HOW shall I, unskilfu’, try The poet’s occupation? The tunefu’ powers, in happy hours, That whisper inspiration; Even they maun dare an effort mair Than aught they ever gave us, Ere they rehearse, in equal verse, The charms o’ lovely Davies.

Universal

Robert Burns

186 words