In Preaching Articles: "Parables Of Jesus"

Ed Stetzer: no Word, No Kingdom

By Ed Stetzer on Jul 14, 2021

Jesus’ parable of the sower reveals that the kingdom of God begins not with strategy but with seed. The Word alone produces lasting fruit.

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8, Matthew 13:19, 1 Peter 1:23, James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, the word, seed, Parables of Jesus, preaching, Parables Of Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 14, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching

5 Thoughts About Spending Your Leadership Equity Wisely

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 5, 2021

When you walk into a leadership opportunity, you go with a little bit of equity by virtue of your position. Every decision you make, and every risk you lead your organization to take will require an investment of some of your leadership equity (the trust people place in you).

Tags: Trust, leadership, Preaching, parables, opportunity, jesus parables, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ingredients Jesus Used To Hold An Audience

By Peter Walters on Jan 16, 2022

As a preacher, I am always looking for ways to improve my speaking. I study other communicators, for example, if a comedian gets me hooked, I analyze why he was successful and I love to read books on communication.

Scripture: Job 1:1-10, Luke 6:46, Matthew 13:16, Luke 12:25, Matthew 6:28, Matthew 13:34, Luke 10:30, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 7:1, Genesis 2:10-20, Genesis 1:4-10, Luke 13:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Following Jesus, jesus parables, Communication Speech, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Proclaim Jesus As Lord, Or Simply Savior?

By Dustin Leimgruber on Sep 14, 2022

Check out the modern parable of the Runaway Bride.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Tags: Savior, Parable, Preaching, Explanation, runaway bride, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Parable Of The Pharisee And Tax Collector: A Call To Humility

By Josh Read on Oct 26, 2025

In the heart of Luke’s Gospel, we find the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). It showcases a stark contrast between two men who approach God, revealing deeper truths about humility, self-righteousness, and access to God's mercy. As pastors seeking to communicate God’s word effectively to our congregations, it’s essential to explore these themes and draw practical applications that encourage genuine humility in our walk with Christ.

Scripture: Luke 18:12-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, James 1:17, Romans 3:23

Tags: Parable, Humility

Preach The Way The Bible Preaches--Tell Stories!

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 11, 2024

Those of us who feed God's flock must become God's storytellers. Here's the journey we must take.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-9, Exodus 17:8-16

Tags: Parable, Preaching, narrative, storytelling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Backyard Bbq Evangelism: A New, True Parable Of Outside-The-Church-Walls Ministry

By Karl Vaters on Sep 28, 2022

"Don't force people to do ministry your way. Help them with the ministry they're already passionate about."

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, Innovation, evangelism barriers, reaching the lost, evangelism planning, Conversational Evangelism, Unique Gifts, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 28, 2020

Is numerical growth proof of God’s grace? This reflection questions the assumption that size equals faithfulness and contrasts modern metrics with Jesus’ slow, seed-shaped vision of the church.

Scripture: Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, 1 Peter 2:5, Matthew 13:31-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Faithfulness, number

Is Jesus An Impossible Mentor?

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 29, 2020

Many admire Jesus but quietly believe His life is unattainable. Scripture teaches not imitation by willpower, but transformation by union with Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: honor, Preaching, Submission, Accountability, Mentor, preaching, Honor  (view more)  (view less)

"Jesus Is Lord” Is Not A Slogan

By Ed Stetzer on Oct 28, 2020

To confess Jesus as Lord in the first century was treason. Today it risks becoming cliché. The words still demand total allegiance.

Scripture: Romans 10:9, Philippians 2:11, Matthew 6:24, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Luke 12:32  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Lord, Jesus, Outreach, Missions, Preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Turning To Jesus In Exhaustion

By Adam Weber on Apr 27, 2022

I had only recently completed my master’s degree, I didn’t want to start this church in the first place, it was struggling to grow, and here I was moving this stupid sign through three feet of snow. Without thinking, the words came out: God, what am I doing here? I’m tired!

Tags: Exhaustion, rest in god

I Write Stories During Sermons

By Carolyn C. Givens on May 11, 2021

Some believers process truth most deeply through narrative. This article explores how imaginative engagement during sermons can be disciplined by Scripture rather than distracted from it.

Scripture: John 1:14, Jeremiah 31:33, 2 Corinthians 5:20, James 1:21, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Parable, Preaching, Story, Engage, narrative, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Congregation Needs An Arc Of Hope, Not A String Of Pearls

By Nathan Aaseng on Nov 4, 2021

In our information-saturated age, your listeners have all the gems of wisdom they need, far more than they can process.

Tags: Parable, Hope, Preaching, string of pearls, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Dangers Of Self-Righteousness: Lessons From Luke 18:9-14

By Josh Read on Oct 29, 2025

In today’s world, especially in the age of social media, it’s easy to curate a version of ourselves that looks impressive—sharing successes, opinions, and spiritual highlights while hiding our struggles. But Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9–14 cuts straight through that façade. It reminds us that self-righteousness doesn’t bring us closer to God, it drives us further from Him.

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:23-24, James 4:10

Tags: Mercy, Parable, Prayer, confession, repentance, justification, sanctification, Repentance, Justification, Confession, Sanctification  (view more)  (view less)