Resources on Matt Woodley

Deepak Chopra in the U.S. and Christians in Nepal

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

In this sermon illustration, Matt Woodley relates two news stories from opposite sides of the world that could affect one's perspective on world missions and demonstrate the themes within Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10, or Psalm 96:3.

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Evangelism, Church, Cultures, Missions

Poet Langston Hughes on Broken Dreams

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration, Matt Woodley uses the poem "Dreams" by Langston Hughes as a demonstration of the brokenness of ordinary people living ordinary lives.

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Hope, Despair, Heart, Poetry

More Americans Are Living Alone

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

An illustration by Matthew Woodley with stats about how Americans are living more alone and how individualism affects their behavior. This appropriate for Genesis 2:18, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24-25, and similar passages.

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Community, Solitude, Individual, Individuality, America

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

Huge Sinkhole Exemplifies Our Inner Life

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration, Matthew Woodley uses sinkholes as an analogy for the crisis one can experience if one does not take care of their mental and spiritual health.

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Self-delusion, Sin, Illustration, Mental Health

Museum Houses Failed Products

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration for Matthew 14:22-36, Acts 15:37-39, and four other related passages, a "Museum of Failed Products" (Pepsi breakfast cola, fortune cookies for dogs, etc.) demonstrates that failure is a normal part of life.

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Culture, Creativity, Perseverance, Illustration

Surprising Factors Predict Divorce

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration reports on research that shows the positive connection between lasting marriages and honeymoons, low-budget weddings, and church attendance, appropriate for Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:1-10, Mark 10:1-9, or John 2:1.

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Divorce, Wedding, Marriage, Illustration

Vulnerable Girls in Ethiopia Run to the Church for Safety

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration focuses on the effects of evil and sin, demonstrating how the church must be a place of safety and shelter for the oppressed.

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Church, Oppression, Body Of Christ, Illustration

Mothers' Voices Ad Campaign in Columbia

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration shares the story of an ad campaign in Colombia that connected guerrilla fighters to their mothers, appropriate for Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, Proverbs 1:8; 6:20, or Luke 15:11-32.

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Family, Love, Power, Illustration

Father Motivated by Love and Justice

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This is the story of a father who pursues 'real justice' for the tragic death of his son at a nightclub. Great sermon illustration to talk about the love and justice of God.

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Love, Justice, God, Illustration

Neil Armstrong's 'One Small Step' Required Thousands of People

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration, the achievement of the first steps on the moon, which required a team of 400,000 people, demonstrates that it takes a community to fulfill the Great Commission.

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Unity, Community, Body Of Christ, Illustration

Do Group Hallucinations Explain the Resurrection?

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration describes N.T. Wright's rebuttal of the theory that belief in Christ's resurrection was due to a mass hallucination, appropriate for Luke 24:13-35, John 20:1-18, and seven other related passages.

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Unbelief, Resurrection, Miracles, Illustration

Aldi Succeeds by Limiting Choice

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration for Psalm 37:16, Ecclesiastes 4:6-8, or Matthew 6:33 focuses on contentment by demonstrating that we can find deep satisfaction through fewer choices and possessions rather than many.

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Contentment, Choice, Satisfaction, Materialism

Compassion Energizes Ministry

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration for Luke 18:16, 1 Corinthians 13, or Galatians 6:9-10 demonstrates that a fruitful ministry is built on the foundation of God's love and the gospel of Christ, not on the participants' achievements.

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Ministry, Cynicism, Pastoral Leadership, God's Love

Research Study Uncovers the kea Effect

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration for 2 Corinthians 6:1, Matthew 25:15, or Ephesians 4:16, research showing that people had more affection for a product they had put together introduces themes of involvement, membership, and service.

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Stewardship, Service, Illustration, Church Membership

Successful Athletes Who Love Being Coached

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration uses two professional athletes and their willingness to listen to their coaches and take advice to demonstrate the importance of listening to the wisdom of others.

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Father's Day, Leadership, Wisdom, Illustration

Super Bowl Ads Get Mired in Controversy

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

In this sermon illustration, beer companies airing partisan ads that draw political lines demonstrate that the Gospel transcends all political differences.

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Politics, Truthfulness, Illustration, Enemies

LeBron James and the Good News for Great People

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration for Matthew 5:5, Proverbs 29:23, or Mark 9:35 demonstrates that while great things may happen to "great people" in sports, the gospel offers great things to people who are not considered great.

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Illustration, The Gospel, Sports, Gifts From God

Research Reveals That Single Young Men Need Worthy Goals

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration for Joshua 1:6-9, Proverbs 6:6-11, or Psalm 1 shares statistics about young adults who, without goals to challenge them, "swim across life's surfaces" without reaching towards God's calling for them.

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Laziness, Adulthood, Maturity, Illustration

The Tin Man on the Blows that Kill Our Heart

Matt Woodley | Preaching Today

Sermon Preparation or Illustration

This sermon illustration from the original Wizard of Oz illustrates how the Tin Man with no heart reflects us in our common plight: workers who prioritize efficiency over love.

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Love, Heart, English Literature, Illustration