In Preaching Articles: "Parable Treasure"

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

By Josh Read on Oct 27, 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

Ed Stetzer: no Word, No Kingdom

By Ed Stetzer on Jul 15, 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)

5 Thoughts About Spending Your Leadership Equity Wisely

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 6, 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)

Can I Evaluate My Own Preaching?

By Steven Smith on Sep 25, 2024

Faithful preaching is more than correct exegesis. It requires depth in the text and clarity, beauty, and engagement in delivery.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 19:7-9, 1 Corinthians 1:23-24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, treasure, Faithfulness, Obligation, proclaim, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 15, 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

Preach The Way The Bible Preaches--Tell Stories!

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 12, 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 29, 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)

I Write Stories During Sermons

By Carolyn C. Givens on May 12, 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 5, 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)

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

By Dustin Leimgruber on Sep 15, 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)

4 Ingredients Jesus Used To Hold An Audience

By Peter Walters on Jan 17, 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)

Don't Sell The Gospel!

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 18, 2020

The gospel is corrupted when it promises earthly prosperity or bases justification on human obedience. Faithful preaching keeps Christ alone as our treasure and our righteousness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:17, Luke 17:31-33, Luke 18:18-23, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:21-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Paul, Gospel, Preaching, Pharisees, peddle, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Unashamed Allegiance: My Tribute To R.c. Sproul

By John Piper on Nov 18, 2022

I love R.C. Sproul. I am sure I owe him more than I can even recall. My reverence for the holiness of God and the truth of his word would not be the same without his influence. I will miss him (for a short while).

Tags: treasure, Faithfulness, Tribute, Preacher, Godly example, Christ in Scripture, Teacher, Godly Life, preacher, teacher  (view more)  (view less)

You Were Made For Christmas

By David Mathis on Dec 23, 2024

You were made for the Great Joy of Christmas.

Scripture: Luke 2:18, Matthew 1:21, 1 Peter 3:18, Luke 2:14

Tags: Emmanuel, Christmas, Advent, treasure, Glory to God, christ child, Christmas Gospel, Joy in Christ, Christmas Joy  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Josh Read on Oct 30, 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)