In Sermon Illustrations: "Interpretation"

In Contradistinction To Literal Interpretation, ...

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 26, 2009

"In contradistinction to literal interpretation, subsequently called "peshaṭ" (comp. Geiger’s "Wiss. Zeit. Jüd. Theol." v. 244), the term "midrash" designates an exegesis which, going more deeply than the mere literal sense, attempts to penetrate into the spirit of the Scriptures, to examine ...read more

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Common Sense And Satisfying Interpretation Of ...

Contributed by Herman Abrahams on Aug 31, 2003

"A common sense and satisfying interpretation of our world suggests the designing hand of a superintelligence.… There is, I shall argue, no contradiction between holding a staunch belief in supernatural design and being a creative scientist.… Just as I believe that the Book of Scripture illumines ...read more

Tags: Creation

Denomination: Charismatic

While Interpreting Things Of Difficulty, Such As ...

Contributed by David Tack on Mar 28, 2011

While interpreting things of difficulty, such as eschatological issues, the simpler things of this life and God’s commands should be embraced. Preach the gospel saving message to the lost and desolate, love the Lord your God with all your heart, love humanity with unconditional love; and, strive ...read more

Tags: Doctrine

Denomination: Baptist

Remember Joseph. In Prison, He Interpreted The ...

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Apr 9, 2007

Remember Joseph. In prison, he interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and chief baker. 3 days later, the chief cupbearer was restored to his job. Joseph remained in prison, and the chief cupbearer forgot about him (Gen 40:23). He was back fat and happy, and it was 2 full years ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Was Not Looking For My Dreams To Interpret My ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"I was not looking for my dreams to interpret my life, but rather for my ...read more

Tags: Dreams

Man-Speak  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 6, 2010

MAN-SPEAK Men don't always say what they mean. When a man says "IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO EXPLAIN." He means: "I have no idea how it works." When a man says "TAKE A BREAK, HONEY. YOU ARE WORKING TOO HARD." He means: "I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner." When a man says "THAT'S ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:23

Tags: Father's Day, Interpretation

Missing The Point

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 2, 2021

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars: The first worm was put into a container of alcohol. The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke. The third worm was put into a container of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Tags: Interpretation, Conclusion, Misunderstanding, Error, Perspective, Failure  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Misunderstanding

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 23, 2021

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter Amanda to answer the phone. And kids view the world differently sometimes. Literally. She answered the phone obediently, "Hello, this is Amanda. Mommy can't ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 29:12-17

Tags: Children, Interpretation, Hermeneutics, Misunderstanding, Amusing, Wording  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Discerning Prophecy

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 26, 2021

I was once in charge of a meeting where I was confronted with this situation. A lady gave forth a powerful and anointed utterance in an unknown tongue. We all waited for the interpretation. Quite soon a man began to give forth what he obviously wanted us to accept as the interpretation. It was, in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 1 Corinthians 14:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Tags: False Prophet, Deception, Discernment, Prophecy, Charismatic, Tongues  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

An English Preacher In India Preaching Though An ...

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Nov 3, 2006

An English preacher in India preaching though an interpreter once began his sermon on ‘faith’ with the sentence: "Now faith is both abstract and concrete," and he paused for the interpreter. The interpreter translating what had been said replied, "So far the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1

Tags: What Is Evangelism?

Denomination: Baptist

The Bible Is Not About Science Or Philosophy

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Oct 8, 2022

The Bible has a single purpose. It was given to reveal the love of God as manifested in the divine provision of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is its aim, and sound interpretation must never lose sight of this aim. Consequently, it is a serious and misleading error to regard the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Tags: Science, Inspiration, Philosophy, Interpretation, Hermeneutics, Exegesis, Love Of God, The Bible, Human Authors  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Broom And The ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jun 25, 2009

THE BROOM AND THE WATER In his Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan describes Interpreter’s house, which Pilgrim entered during the course of his journey to the Celestial City. The parlor of the house was completely covered with dust, and when a man took a broom and started to sweep, he and the others ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Tags: Law

We Call This "Exegesis." The Greek Word ...

Contributed by Mike Gillett on Feb 28, 2007

We call this “exegesis.” The Greek word exegeomai means basically “to lead out of.” When applied to the Biblical text, it carries the sense of “reading out” the meaning. The meaning comes from the text. The noun, therefore, could refer to “interpretation” or ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Follow Me

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

"FOLLOW ME." To understand that calling and Jesus’ invitation, we need to understand the context. In Jesus’ day, childhood education started at age five as young boys went to the synagogue school to learn Hebrew and memorize the Torah. By the time of his bar mitzvah at age 13, a typical Jewish ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Methodist

Christ Maintains The Work

Contributed by Rickey Bennett on Aug 16, 2009

CHRIST MAINTAINS THE WORK This truth is pictured in the book Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan. There’s a scene in which Christian is taken into a room by the Interpreter, who is explaining various truths to him. Here is the scene. (I’ve smoothed out some of the King James English in a couple ...read more

Tags: Assurance Of Salvation

Denomination: *other

The Famous Agnostic Thomas Huxley Was Once ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 17, 2006

The famous agnostic Thomas Huxley was once lovingly confronted by a very sincere Christian. This believer stressed to Huxley that he was not in any way impugning Huxley’s sincerity. Nevertheless, might it not be possible that mentally the great scientist was color blind? That is, some people cannot ...read more

Tags: Evangelism Fear Of

Herein Is The Greatest Mistake Made In ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 15, 2001

Herein is the greatest mistake made in interpreting Revelation - we make it more about the ...read more

Tags: Second Coming

When The Members Walk With The Fear Of The ...  PRO

Contributed by John Hamby on Jan 8, 2001

“When the members walk with the fear of the Lord before their eyes and with the Spirit’s encouraging voice in their hearts, the church will be strong and will also surely multiply.” [R.C.H. Lenski. The Interpretation ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Holy Spirit Attributes, Sharing Your Faith

Denomination: Baptist

People Seem To Believe That They Have An ...  PRO

Contributed by Jerry Vargo on Feb 1, 2001

People seem to believe that they have an inalienable right to be happy--"I want what I want and I want it now." No one wants to wait for anything and, for the most part, no one ...read more

Tags: Peace, Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unsung Heroines-Belshazzar's Grandmother; Daniel 5

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jun 28, 2022

Introduction: My late uncle preached a sermon on Daniel 5 many years ago. He began by saying, “When the little shot gets about half shot, he really thinks he’s a big shot!” That was certainly true for Belshazzar, who had the honor (??) of being Babylon’s last king. In the context, Belshazzar had ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:10-12

Tags: Daniel, Belshazzar, Unsung Heroines, Queens

Denomination: Baptist