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Synonyms: replica, copy, representation, mock-up, dummy, imitation, double, duplicate, lookalike, reproduction, prototype, stereotype, archetype, type, version, style, ideal, paragon, perfect example, specimen, perfect specimen, fashion model, supermodel, mannequin, sitter, poser, subject, artist's model, photographic model, design, mark, configuration, variety, kind, sort, original, original design, exclusive, toy, miniature, facsimile, prototypical, prototypal, archetypal, illustrative, perfect, exemplary, classic, flawless, faultless, consummate, impeccable

Antonyms: deficient, imperfect

Showing 76 to 100 of 5000 results

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76. On Being Picked For The "Rework"

Jeremiah 18:1--19:15

Sermon

King Duncan

... the thing formed say to him who formed it, why have you made me this way? Has not the potter power over the clay that all originates from the same lump, to make one a vessel of honor, and the other a vessel of dishonor?" Paul then uses Pharaoh to illustrate God's actions. Pharaoh "hardened his heart" against God's words, and it is also said that "God hardened his (Pharaoh's) heart." "I will have mercy on whom I choose to have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I choose to have compassion. And whom I ...

77. A Life Hidden With Christ

Colossians 2:6-23

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... power which raised Jesus from the dead is also our power. We do not have to be the victims of sin. The hampering limitations of the present order need not overcome us. We have moved from the domain of the flesh into the realm of the Spirit. Here is an illustration of it in a letter I received from a woman who with five others had attended a prayer seminar I was leading. These women were a part of a group of twelve who meet every Thursday at 6:30 a.m. for prayer, study, and sharing. Their fellowship has ...

78. Singing The Lord's Song In A Strange Land (ii)

Psalm 137:1-9

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... There are a lot of gray in the area of moral decisions. Everything is not always black and white. (NOTE FOR BOOK: Give two illustrations about two people you have dealt with on the abortion issue) So, the question remains. How do we sing the Lord's song in ... There are a lot of gray in the area of moral decisions. Everything is not always black and white. (NOTE FOR BOOK: Give two illustrations about two people you have dealt with on the abortion issue) So, the question remains. How do we sing the Lord's song in ...

79. Adopted! (New)

Ephesians 1:1-14

Sermon

King Duncan

... his own. The purpose of adoption was to give the person doing the adopting a legal heir. The person who was adopted was treated as having all the privileges of an only child. Donald Grey Barnhouse in his book, Let Me Illustrate, explains the Pauline concept of adoption by citing an illustration from The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. A character named Lucia tells about a ceremony which was held for her older brother in which he was acknowledged publicly as the son of his father. As they all assemble in the forum ...

Mt 5:21-37 · 1 Cor 3:1-9 · Ps 119 · Dt 30:15-20

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... may be asking yourself, "Why all this praise of the law? As a Christian set free of the law in Christ, does it really matter?" Yes it matters. Law is essential to the Christian, and in no way should law be equated with legalism. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 has illustrated how law is really an expression of God's love. Psalm 119:1-8 is a continuation of the theology in Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Both texts are clear in their claim that law is not salvation but the result of God's salvation. God's liberating action in ...

Genesis 37:1-11, Matthew 14:22-36, Romans 9:30--10:21, Psalm 105:1-45

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... known, to sing, to tell, to give glory, to rejoice, to seek, and to remember. The final command provides the framework for the remainder of the psalm: Remember that the Lord is a God of covenant (vv. 7-11). The remainder of the psalm provides illustration and thus definition of what it means that the Lord is a God of covenant. As commentary on the Joseph story, and particularly the lesson for this Sunday, covenant means that God stays with Israel even when they act out of evil motive. This insight provides ...

Joshua 3:1-4:24, Matthew 23:1-39, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-16, Psalm 107:1-43

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... salvation by surviving a storm (vv. 23-32). The second part of the psalm (vv.33-43) appears to be a later supplement to vv. 1-32, which is meant to provide still more occasions of salvation that prompt praise to God. Structure. The outline of the larger psalm illustrates how vv. 33-42 could be read as a unit, although the lectionary has limited the reading to vv. 33-37. This commentary will include all of vv. 33-43. The reading separates into two parts: I. A Call to Give Thanks (vv. 1-3) for deliverance in ...

Judges 4:1-24, Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11, Psalm 123:1-4

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... And hear thee only speak. Let this my ev'ry hour employ, Till I thy glory see; Enter into my Master's joy, And find my heaven in thee. During the coming week, the birthday of Sojourner Truth on November 18, 1797, will be observed. Her story can be illustrative of the use of what appeared to be a minimal talent and what she was able to do with what she had. The epistle offers the intriguing option of presenting Christ the Thief. This is not one of the standard images of Christ, not one we ordinarily think of ...

84. Transfiguration

Psalm 2:1-12, Matthew 17:1-13, 2 Peter 1:12-21, Exodus 24:1-18

Sermon Aid

Marion L. Soards, Thomas B. Dozeman, Kendall McCabe

... different speakers. Verses 1-3 present a quotation from the nations; vv. 4-6 are divine speech; vv. 7-9 are recounting by the messianic king of God's election; and vv. 10-11 are a speech by the psalmist (or perhaps the king). The four-part structure illustrates how v. 6 is a conclusion to vv. 4-5 and not an introduction to vv. 7-9. Significance. Psalm 2 adds two points in particular to an interpretation of what the Transfiguration means for us. First, Psalm 2 provides a good counterpart to Exodus 24:12-18 ...

1 Samuel 16:1-13

Sermon

Leonard Sweet

... bills. By now, she was already $80 ahead, but then I began pulling miscellaneous bills out of my suit coat pockets until the total came to $250 dollars, almost double the amount she had given me. (NOTE: You may need to use your discretionary fund for this illustration. Whenever I use this illustration, I try to have at least $500 in cash hidden on my body so that I can at least double their money.) "It's yours," I said as I turned around and returned to the pulpit. "Now let's talk," I said. And this is what ...

86. Cross Eyed: Anger

John 2:13-22

Sermon

Billy D. Strayhorn

... to know how to get to the land of Aslan. While the lamb is giving them directions a marvelous thing happens: "His snowy white flushed into tawny gold and his size changed and he was Aslan himself towering above them and scattering light from his mane." (1) Lewis graphically illustrates one of the great truths of our faith, Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world is also the Lion of Judah. In Christ we find both the meekness of the lamb and the ferocity of the lion. Jesus could be both a ...

87. There Is a Price for Everything, Part 2

Matthew 13:44-46

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... but that’s rare. Most of the time — get this, most of the time the life of sin carries with it an awful natural retribution. The sin that we commit, the evil that we do, comes back to demand of us a price in an installment fashion. The dramatic illustration of this is David. Look at the price David paid for his sin. We do not have to rehearse that sin - you know the story - his giving in to temptation, stealing the wife of one of his most trusted friends, Uriah then sending Uriah off to the front lines ...

88. When You Want to Run Away

Psalm 11:1-7

Sermon

Maxie Dunnam

... and brimstone; a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. I have an idea that the psalmist is remembering the Sodom and Gomorrah he had heard of in the temple. The rescue of Lot was an illustration of God’s care for his own. The burning, searing devastation of Sodom and Gomorrah was an illustration of the terrors of judgment. So, the psalmist could resist the temptation of his friends, “Flee like a bird to the mountains.” He counted on the power of God. Not he, but hi should do the fleeing. I ...

89. Priorities

Luke 9:51-62

Illustration

David E. Leininger

... of time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will probably never forget. As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered over- ... to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into ...

90. Living Half the Truth

Illustration

Illustrations motivate. Merely to announce what ought to be done without helping motivate people to do it is of little value. Enveloped in a cloud of dust, the county agricultural agent drove into the ... Most people are not living even half the truth they already know. They don't so much need to know more as they need to be motivated more. While the principal purpose of illustration is not to excite the emotions, illustrations do help listeners feel the truth. And people mostly do what they feel like doing.

91. Up Close & Personal: Coming Into Focus

1 John 1:5--2:14

Sermon

James Merritt

... in your support materials, along with a PDF version that you can print out if you do not have a video projector. These charts are also easily obtainable from your local eye doctor—consider if there is an eye doctor in your congregation who can help with this illustration.] Do you ever have times when you try to see God and find God, but He is totally out of focus? Have you ever prayed and felt like your prayers were falling on deaf ears? Have you ever felt like God was a million miles away? Even though ...

2 Corinthians 8:16--9:5, 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... (their plenty), including the coming of the Deliverer from Zion (Rom. 11:25–26) and the resurrection of the dead (Rom. 11:15). This is the future aspect. The Corinthians’ need for the resurrection is made clear in 1 Corinthians 15:12–19. 8:15 An illustration of Paul’s point about equality is drawn from a citation of Exodus 16:18, in the story of the feeding of the wilderness generation by means of manna. Paul’s concentration on the wilderness generation continues here (see above on 8:3a). It is ...

93. Jesus Demonstrates Status Inversion in the Kingdom

Matthew 19:1-12, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 19:16-30

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... by noting that Matthew’s Jesus does not call everyone in the Gospel to sell their possessions and give all to the poor [19:21]). If anything, we need to hear afresh and with conviction this Matthean theme of the dangers of wealth. Illustrating the Text Matthew indicates that Jesus embodies and teaches that his followers should not be preoccupied with status concerns, since the kingdom is not about status but about service. Biography: In his book Johnny Carson, Henry Bushkin, the lawyer and close friend of ...

94. Three Parables about the Unfaithfulness of the Jewish Leaders

Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 21:33-46, Matthew 21:28-32, Matthew 21:23-27

Teach the Text

Jeannine K. Brown

... these leaders will not enter the kingdom without repentance and faith (21:32). In fact, Jesus commends those who were considered least worthy or likely to make it into the kingdom: tax collectors and prostitutes (21:31). The parable of the wedding banquet illustrates the wide-open nature of the kingdom invitation (“invite to the banquet anyone you can find” [22:9]). Preaching and teaching this message of invitation for all persons is relatively easy, but we need to back up our words with actions. We can ...

95. The Birth of God’s Son Announced

Luke 1:26-38

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... promises will be fulfilled in new and surprising ways. There are other themes that might form the basis for teaching that emerge in this incident. The paradox of a formidable heavenly messenger visiting (and greeting with respect) a simple village teenager illustrates dramatically God’s habit of choosing the most improbable people through whom to fulfill his purpose. He delights to honor those whom the world would hardly notice. This theme will be developed in the Magnificat (1:46–55). Mary will be ...

96. True and False Discipleship

Luke 6:46-49, Luke 6:43-45, Luke 6:37-42

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... the teacher and the pupil (6:40) the speck of dust and the plank (6:41–42) the tree and its fruit (6:43–44) the treasure from the storehouse (6:45) the two house builders (6:47–49) These images provide fertile ground for both illustration and application. What are some examples of “the blind leading the blind” in society or in the church today? In what ways do we see teachers replicating themselves (for good or for bad) in their students? Consider some current trends of teaching in the church that ...

97. Hearing and Responding

Luke 8:19-21, Luke 8:16-18, Luke 8:1-15

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... the three negative responses in this passage: seeds that are dropped on the path, those that fall upon rocks, and those scattered among thorns. One could even call upon individuals for stories illustrating these nuances so that they understand them better. Literature: The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky. This demanding but worthwhile novel (1880) was Dostoevsky’s (1821–81) last. The attitudes of the brothers and father in this novel parallel not only the negative responses of the hearers ...

98. Lessons on Devotion and Prayer

Luke 11:1-13, Luke 10:38-42

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... in church. The key here is to find a volunteer or staff member who is known for excellence and a great attitude. You want a testimony that shows how love absorbed while sitting at Jesus’s feet frees them to scrub dishes joyfully and willingly. The illustration is to show that Mary and Martha need not represent irreconcilable tribes—they can be united within the same heart, as long as the Mary moments come first. Prayer is not merely about airing a shopping list of needs and desires; it is an expression ...

99. Jesus Takes the Initiative

Luke 21:5-38, Luke 21:1-4, Luke 20:41-47

Teach the Text

R.T. France

... snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same.” History: Josephus’s vivid descriptions of the siege and capture of Jerusalem provide a great deal of illustrative material. See especially books 5–6 of his Jewish War. In one account, Josephus tells of a man who predicted the coming turmoil: But, what is still more terrible, there was one Jesus, the son of Ananus, a plebeian and a husbandman, who, four years before ...

100. The Gospel of God in Christ through Paul

Romans 1:1-17

Teach the Text

C. Marvin Pate

... for the modern church. If the church lets go of its petty disagreements, thereby freeing up its energy and resources, then it really can propagate the gospel worldwide. And who knows? Maybe that effort will bring about the final sign of the time before Christ returns. Illustrating the Text The gospel is theological and social in orientation. Quote: “I Have a Dream,” by Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the ...

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