Resources on Matt Woodley

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Matt Woodley reflects on a structural flaw that led to a bridge collapse in Minneapolis. This incident can illustrate faith and integrity, as in James 1:26, Proverbs 20:7, Luke 6:47-49 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.

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Faith, Integrity, Character

Man Desires the Trust of His Homeless Friend

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This is a sermon illustration by Matt Woodley: Someday I'd like to have as much trust and simplicity of heart as my homeless friend.

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Faith, Contentment, Trust

The Origins of 'God Helps Those Who Help Themselves'

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

An illustration by Matt Woodley illuminating the non-biblical statement regarding God helping ...

Psalm 72:12-14; John 3:16 Romans 3:22-31, 5:6-11, 8:1, 31-34

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Faith, Change, Works, Good, Grace

Secular Author Says, I Miss God

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

An illustration by Matt Woodley describing a famous agnostic who nevertheless longed for the God of Christianity.

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Beauty, Faith, Longing, Doubt

Study Shows Many Scientists Follow Christ

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Are Christian faith and science completely incompatible? This illustration by Matt Woodly reveals a study showing that there are many scientists that follow Christ.

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Faith, Religion, Worldview, Science

Soccer Goalies Take Responsibility for Their Box

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This is an illustration by Matthew Woodley describing the connection between a goalie box and a believer in Christ. It is appropriate for 2 Timothy 4:5, John 9:4, and Luke 12:42.

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Faith, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Arrogance

Faith Helped Woman Confront Terrorists

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Matthew Woodley tells the story of a woman whose faith propels her to talk terrorists down during an attack. Suggested as an illustration for Joshua 1:8-9, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 5:9, and other similar passages.

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Faith, Fear, Compassion, Courage

Ignoring the Counter-coaching in a Paintball Contest

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

An illustration by Matthew Woodley describing the importance of knowing Jesus' voice, appropriate for 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Romans 12:2, Matthew 4:1-11; 13:1-20, John 10:1-5, 14, or Galatians 5:16-18.

Matthew 4:1-11, 13:1-20; John 10:1-5, 14 Romans 12:2

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Faith, Faithfulness, God's Faithfulness, God's Will

"We Bought a Zoo": Twenty Seconds of Insane Courage

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration draws from the film, "We Bought a Zoo," to shows what a difference bravery can make in the course of history.

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Faith, Fear, Courage, Bravery

Fathers Have Huge Effect on Children's Church Involvement

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

What causes a child to adopt his or her parent's faith? A 1994 Swiss study showed one critical factor: the father's involvement. A sermon illustration for Ephesians 6:4, Psalm 78:5-8, Deuteronomy 6:7-9 and similar passages.

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Faith, Father, Children, Spiritual Growth

Homeowners Build Backyards They Seldom Use

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Families in Los Angeles perpetuate the illusion of spending time outdoors. There is a profound disconnect between belief and action: Most families told the researchers that they were using their backyards often, but observations proved otherwise.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 9:9; Ephesians 5:15-16 James 2:26

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Culture, Family, Self Deception, Faith

The High Dive

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration tells the story of a young boy who jumps off the high diving board at a swimming pool for the first time. Surrender liberates us and can bring us deep joy.

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Faith, Fear, Courage, Surrender

Actors Distance Themselves from Christian Upbringing

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration tells about actors Brad Pitt and Hugh Jackman distancing themselves from Christian upbringing and faith through questioning the fairness of hell.

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Culture, Faith, Religion, Doubt

Famous Astronomer Who Accepted Christ

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration about astronomer Allan Sandage shows that science and faith are not opposites.

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Conversion, Faith, Creation, Doubt

Unscripted Scene in Tom Hanks Film

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Powerful and unscripted, the final scene of the movie Captain Phillips illustrates how improvisation relies on training and practice. Appropriate for Matthew 4:19, Genesis 12:4, and Hebrews 11:1.

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Easter, Culture, Faith, Discipleship

The Lego Movie on Grace and Law

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

A sermon illustration on the Lego movie, legalism, lawlessness, and grace. One of the main characters experiences a world with no rules--and no order.

Joshua 24:14-15; Romans 6:1-7, 19 2 Corinthians 6:14

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Culture, Faith, Grace, Work

A Former Convict Finally Enjoys His Freedom

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration appropriate for Isaiah 61:1, Galatians 5:13, or Colossians 2:13-15 demonstrates how salvation in Christ means freedom from the slavery of sin, regardless of our past.

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Faith, Forgiveness, Redemption, Freedom

Sanctification and Tragic Humanity

Paul Pastor | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

Describing the sanctification of a Christian golf player, a mass shooting by a hateful racist and violence that erupted at a charity sports event, these sermon illustrations convey the need for conversion, faith and spiritual growth.

Jeremiah 5:2-4, 13:22-23; Zechariah 7:12 1 Corinthians 13:11-12

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Faith, Conversion, Sanctification, New Life

An Unusual Story of Marital Faithfulness

Wendell Berry | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In Wendell Berry's novel, Jayber Crow, Jayber's decision not to act on his feelings for a married woman becomes an unusual example of marital faithfulness. (cf., Job 31:1-10; Romans 13:8-14; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:13-14).

Job 31:1-10; Romans 13:8-14 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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Beauty, Love, Marriage, Faithfulness