illustrations – Sermon Illustration Ideas

Inheritance Through Christ

Eternal Life, Inheritance, royalty, Sin, Trust

When a royal family has a child, the child automatically gains titles and lands, even if they cannot yet rule over them. Similarly, when…

No Free Gifts

Debt, Gifts, pay

Is it possible for a gift to cost nothing? A hug, a smile, an invitation to go for a walk … these things don’t…

Prodigal Son

Art, Father, Painting, Son, The Return of the Prodigal Son

Consider spending time observing Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son painting. “The kneeling prodigal buries his bald head into his father as he begs for mercy. His…

Closer Than Family

blood, bond, brother, Family, Friend, Relationship

Siblings have a bond based on their genetic relationship and sharing a family. Friends are those people with whom we voluntarily share life though…

The Table

calming, relaxing, table, Welcoming

Create a welcoming table scene on stage, but make it relatable to your congregation. What makes people feel more comfortable and welcome? The answer…

Drowning in Our Struggles

drowning, Holy Spirit, rescuer, save, Savior

It’s very difficult—even dangerous—to attempt rescuing a drowning person. The individual being rescued can be a danger to the rescuer for a variety of…

New Freedoms

Freedom, New Creation, transport

Have you ever been to an antique shop or garage sale and come across a lamp that used kerosene instead of electricity? While both…

Revealing More About God

Knowing God, observing, reveal

Anyone who has ever had to program a new device such as a phone, computer, security system, or car stereo knows the frustration of…

Ride or Die

best friend, Friendship, ride or die

Throughout our lives, we always need someone to be able to count on for whatever we face. Some people have found this in their…

The Right Medicine

injury, Medicine, Sickness, symptoms, turn to God

Anyone who has been sick knows that until you figure out what’s going on with your body, you can’t determine the right medicine to…

One Purpose Remains

changing of the guard, fallen soldier, gaurd

Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia is a burial place for fallen soldiers. A twenty-four-hour guard remains in action year-round, no matter what. Depending on…

Your Soil Matters

rooted in, Soil

What we grow in and near will affect our own outcome, much like a coffee plant. “Coffee beans from specific regions or altitudes may…

Intentional Harvesting

continual, harvesting, Human, perennial, Wisdom

Gardeners are wise to plant perennial vegetables. Once planted, they return each year, thus eliminating yearly planting efforts. Although these plants grow without replanting,…

Hold the Weight

habits, hold, lattice, Practices, Strong

Lattices are used for plants that climb. “Climbing roses need a sturdy structure—an arbor, pillar, pergola, or lattice—on which to grow. Make sure your…

Cultivate

Care, cultivate, grow, New

To cultivate something means to give the growing thing what it needs to grow. We all need a few of the same things to…

Space To Grow In Community

Community, Faith, grow, space

The film About a Boy (directed by Paul Weitz, Universal Pictures, 2002) tells the story of a young boy from a broken home who…

Faith Garden

Community, garden, grow, The Church

Many churches and local communities have started a community garden. This is a place where each person brings their own seeds and skills. Working…

Clouded Path

fog, Guide, Path, Trust, uncertainty

Sometimes, faith can become familiar. Like walking a well-worn path on our property, it becomes something we do without really thinking. But what happens…

Doubting

confused, Doubt, Journey, Path

You might have second thoughts as you embark on a voyage. Or sometimes the directions can get confusing, and you’re unsure which way is…

Invitation to Follow Him

Following Jesus, Invitation, Party, Presence

When you receive a written invitation, the message communicated is this: the desire to enjoy your presence. Invitations let us know we are wanted…