Resources on Matthew Woodley

How One Poorly Officiated Soccer Game Resembles Life Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/september/7092710.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Lament , Suffering , Oppression , Injustice Source: Preaching Today Sometimes we experience God as an unjust referee. In this sermon illustration, Matthew Woodley describes how the Psalms train us to lament what feels unjust. Appropriate for Habakkuk 1:1-4, Psalm 73, Psalm 80, and similar passages.

Sinful Riots, Courtroom Grace and Heroic Honesty Sermon Illustration by Andrew Finch http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2014/june/1062314.html Sermon Illustration by Andrew Finch Topics: Forgiveness , Violence , Depravity , Sin Source: Preaching Today Describing soccer game violence, forgiveness offered by a murder victim's mother and a man's honesty in returning thousands of dollars, these sermon illustrations by Matthew Woodley and Andrew Finch portray human depravity, grace and integrity.

Speaking of Going into Debt Sermon Illustration by Paul Pastor http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/july/8072913.html Sermon Illustration by Paul Pastor Topics: Spiritual Growth , Sin , Divisions , Unity Source: Preaching Today This is a collection of sermon illustrations by Matthew Woodley and Paul Pastor, highlighting the themes of spiritual growth, our sin debt, disunity or cooperation in our communities, creation, and gratitude.

Rickety Kayak Shows Our Quest for Freedom Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/october/2100112.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Hope , Courage , Oppression , Freedom Source: Preaching Today An illustration by Matthew Woodley about a Cuban couple who risked everything for freedom, appropriate for Isaiah 61:1, Romans 8:2, John 8:36, and similar passages.

Christmas Carol Points to the Gift Christ Wants—Our Hearts Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2011/december/2120511.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Christmas , Surrender , Christmas Carols New and Old , Heart Source: Preaching Today In this sermon illustration, Matthew Woodley reports on the backstory to the Christmas Carol "In the Bleak Midwinter" and emphasizes the author's faith.

More Americans Are Living Alone Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/april/1040212.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Community , Solitude , America , Illustration Source: Preaching Today 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.

Soccer Goalies Take Responsibility for Their Box Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2016/august/7080116.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Faith , Evangelism , Faithfulness , Arrogance Source: Preaching Today 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.

The Man Who Snuck Into Auschwitz Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/september/2092313.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Love , Courage Source: Preaching Today In this sermon illustration, Matthew Woodley shares the story of Witold Pilecki, a courageous Polish army captain who snuck into Auschwitz to get accurate information on the horrors that were taking place.

Anti-clerical Pizza Man Helps Minister Appreciate the Gospel Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2009/september/6091409.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Atonement , Gospel , Forgiveness , Grace Source: Preaching Today An illustration by Matthew Woodley about a minister experiencing the gospel in a pizza joint, appropriate for John 15:13, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, and similar passages.

Researchers Track the Temporary Nature of Infatuation Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/may/5052713.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Love , Marriage , Covenant , God's Love Source: Preaching Today This sermon illustration from Matthew Woodley cites a statistic about romantic infatuation only lasting two years that can illustrate the folly of basing a marriage on only attraction.

Former Assassin Transformed by Love Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/september/1091310.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Forgiveness , Grace , Love , Redemption Source: Preaching Today A sermon illustration by Matthew Woodley on how the forgiveness offered to an attempted assassin models the acceptance that the church is called to extend to others, especially unlovable people and even our enemies.

Mentor Helps Skydiver Break World Record Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/october/2102912.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Blessing , Friendship , Control , Assurance Source: Preaching Today Describing the relationship between a world-record-holding skydiver and his mentor, this sermon illustration by Matthew Woodley demonstrates how mentors can provide their disciples with confidence and assurance.

Doctor Urges Pause Points Before Surgery Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2012/december/1121712.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Discernment , Discipline , Prayer Source: Preaching Today "Pause points," says a famous surgeon, reduce risk and danger in the operating room—and Matthew Woodley says they can become a simple spiritual discipline too, illustrating Psalm 25:8-9, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:6, and similar passages.

Ignoring the Counter-coaching in a Paintball Contest Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/september/6092010.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Faith , Faithfulness , God's Faithfulness , God's Will Source: Preaching Today 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, or Galatians 5:16-18.

The Murti-Bing Pill Helped a Nation Escape Reality Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2015/april/5042715.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Addiction , Meaning of Life , Social Media , Life Source: Preaching Today In this illustration, Matthew Woodley discusses the thought of Polish poet Czeslaw Milosz, who argued that the intellectuals and politicians who fell captive to communism had effectively taken a pill to escape brutal reality.

Huge Sinkhole Exemplifies Our Inner Life Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/november/5112210.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Sin , Illustration , Mental health , Spirituality Source: Preaching Today 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.

Surprising Factors Predict Divorce Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2015/october/3100515.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Divorce , Wedding , Marriage , Illustration Source: Preaching Today 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.

GQ Magazine Presents Contrasting Worldviews Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/december/2122313.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Humility , Selfishness , Love your neighbor , Illustration Source: Preaching Today This sermon illustration for Matthew 6:33, Joshua 24:15 or Luke 16:13 demonstrates two contrasting world views: one concerned with the self, and the other concerned with denying the ego.

The Revenant, Rage, Owl Attacks, Teen Bank Robber, and Phone Distractions Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2016/january/1011816.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Forgiveness , Sin , Distraction Source: Preaching Today Matthew Woodly gives six sermon illustrations focusing on revenge, anger, distractions, pleasing people, and sin.

Starbucks Baristas Told to Slow Down Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/november/1112910.html Sermon Illustration by Matt Woodley Topics: Busyness , Ingratitude Source: Preaching Today Matt Woodley writes about Starbucks telling its employees to slow down production to improve quality and service. The story is appropriate for texts such as Psalm 46:10, 1 Corinthians 13:4, and Matthew 6:6.