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Parable
Parable is a distribution of stories that help teach spiritual values.
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Tuesday, September 02, 2025
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Preaching Illustrations
Good Preaching Helps Us Take God Seriously with Billy Wilson
Mar 12, 2025 Radically Christian Podcast = What would we be like if we really took God seriously? Today's discussion centers around a profound statement Billy Wilson made at a preacher's retreat: "It's a good thing none of us take God seriously. If we did, we would never stop laughing." He explains that understanding God and seeing the world through Jesus' eyes reveals the joke of human striving—how so much of what we chase after is futile in light of God's kingdom. Through biblical examples, Billy illustrates how Jesus infused his ministry with humor and deeper theological meaning, helping believers grasp the true nature of reality.
The conversation shifts to preaching, where Billy critiques modern sermons that focus more on behavior modification than on revealing the magnificence of God. He argues that if preachers truly immersed themselves in knowing and proclaiming God, congregations would be drawn to the Lord, not just to self-improvement strategies. He recounts personal experiences, including a pivotal moment with Jim McGuigan, who helped redirect his faith simply by talking about God's greatness.
The episode concludes with a reflection on John 17:3—"This is eternal life, that they know you." Billy emphasizes that eternal life isn't just about knowledge about God, but about truly knowing Him in a relational sense. If believers took this seriously, it would reshape their lives, anchoring them in joy, meaning, and unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty.
In this episode, Wes McAdams welcomes Billy Wilson, a preacher with a rich history of ministry in Scotland, Australia, and the United States. Billy shares his personal journey, including his experiences with adoption, fostering, and his unexpected return to full-time preaching after swearing it off for years. His story highlights God's providence and the unique congregation in Mineral Wells that drew him back into pulpit ministry.
Graduation Banquet 2025
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Race Illustrations
How Ethnicity and Race Affect the Way We Read the Bible with Marcus Stenson
Mar 19, 2025 Radically Christian Podcast
In this episode of the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast, Wes McAdams engages in a thoughtful conversation with Marcus Stenson about the complex topics of race, ethnicity, and how these factors influence the way we read and interpret Scripture. They explore the historical and societal constructs of race, emphasizing how the idea of race as a biological reality has been debunked, and how ethnicity relates more to shared cultural experiences. The conversation highlights how societal perceptions shape our understanding of Scripture and why it's essential to acknowledge and embrace diverse perspectives.
Marcus shares his personal experiences, detailing how his ethnic identity has shaped his worldview and his approach to Scripture. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing biases and cultural influences when engaging with biblical texts. Both Wes and Marcus discuss the concept of reading Scripture through one's ethnic lens and argue that understanding these perspectives can enrich and deepen biblical interpretation. They also emphasize the importance of diversity within the church, asserting that unity doesn't mean uniformity but rather a celebration of varied experiences within the body of Christ.
Marcus Stenson serves as the preaching minister at the Leander Church of Christ. Beyond his local ministry, he is actively involved in kingdom-focused nonprofits, including initiatives in Kenya and leadership development programs in the United States. His passion lies in fostering disciple-making cultures and advancing conversations about biblical understanding and unity within the church.
Sunday, May 11, 2025
Wednesday, January 01, 2025
Happy New Year Illustrations
New Year
Happy New Year! 2025
Feb 28, 2025 = A sermon by Preaching Minister Randy Johns on preparing for a new year, and what to expect from the pulpit in 2025!
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Sin Illustrations
Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Sin
Devotional Thoughts
*Clickable Quick Links Are Below to my Other Blogs:
Search these Links to Sermons on YouTube about Sin
Questions:
What is Sin?
Sin will always be an offensive word. We can talk openly and impersonally about crimes like rape and murder; we can make statistics out of our adulteries, unwed pregnancies, and divorces; we can trivialize greed, selfishness, and lust or elevate them to the level of cultural values-but to call anything sin makes us uncomfortable. The word sin implies violating an objective and absolute standard or code of behavior established by God. We almost instinctively feel this to be an infringement on our rights. Yet such an attitude displays a terrible misunderstanding of sin and an underestimation of God. When a doctor correctly diagnoses a disease in our body, we do not accuse her of impinging on our freedom; rather, we are grateful because we know diseases can destroy our lives. The Bible teaches that God is concerned about sin-not because he wants to limit our freedom and enjoyment of life but because sin is a disease of the soul that destroys our lives and leads to spiritual death if we do not treat it.
Links to more resources about Sin
Greek Words
Logos Dictionary Themes
You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner
- Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ParableIllustrations
- Email distribution list at https://groups.google.com/g/parable
- Go to Kevin Rayner's blog at https://parable-illustrations.blogspot.com/ for more illustrations and videos with illustrations. Help us spread the word about the teaching illustrations list. Pass on to your friends and invite them to visit the blog at https://parable-illustrations.blogspot.com/
- What illustrations would you suggest adding to these?
Monday, October 21, 2024
Virtues Illustrations
Devotional Thoughts and Teaching Illustrations About Virtues
Picture
Devotional Thoughts
*Clickable Quick Links Are Below:
Greek Words
Logos Dictionary Themes
Search for Links to Sermons on YouTube about Virtues
You Think About It!
Kevin Rayner
- Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ParableIllustrations
- Email distribution list at https://groups.google.com/g/parable
- Go to Kevin Rayner's blog at https://parable-illustrations.blogspot.com/ for more illustrations and videos with illustrations. Help us spread the word about the teaching illustrations list. Pass on to your friends and invite them to visit the blog at https://parable-illustrations.blogspot.com/
- What illustrations would you suggest adding to these?
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