Sermons on A Parable For Our Time:

Fifteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Cycle A-- 15th Sunday, Year A --The Sower

Contributed by Paul Andrew on May 17, 2020

It is the intuitive mind alone that can penetrate the essence and heart of a parable. Then it becomes a living reality, thoroughly relevant to one’s own life.

“To throw alongside” a story with cryptic meaning is called a parable in Greek. In Zen Buddhism, a parable is like a “koan,” which is a spiritual inquiry using perplexing language intended to rouse a student’s innate wisdom-mind to apply it to their own life. As Rabbi Ibn Ezra said of parables, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Isaiah 55:10-11

Denomination: Catholic

The Parable Of The Lost Coin Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 14, 2015

The parable of the lost coin teaches us that there is joy in heaven over every sinner who repents.

Scripture We are studying chapter 15 in The Gospel of Luke. It is a marvelous chapter as Jesus explains the good news of salvation in the parable of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son. Kenneth E. Bailey notes, “For hundreds of years the Latin tradition has called this parable Evangelium ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Dishonest Manager Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 11, 2015

The parable of the dishonest manager in Luke 16:1-13 teaches us about the proper attitude toward possessions.

Scripture For the past few weeks we have been studying chapter 15 in The Gospel of Luke. Today we begin studying chapter 16. Luke turned his attention from God’s joy over finding lost sinners to another issue of Christian discipleship: possessions. Luke began chapter 16 with the parable of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Parable Of The Forgiving Father

Contributed by Richard Futrell on Oct 7, 2010

So what do we learn from this parable? We learn who the Father is, and what His nature is.

Intro Today, Jesus tells us a parable, a story. You probably know the Parable of the Prodigal Son. And the point of the parable is simple: When the lost are found, you rejoice. Instead of being a spoilsport, looking down on someone else, you rejoice when a sinner repents, and you join the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Speaks In Parables Series

Contributed by Gordon Kroeker on Oct 28, 2003

Only a few parables are found in Mark. Most of those are found in Mark 4.

Mk. 4:1-34 JESUS SPEAKS IN PARABLES A. Recently, hearing about the trial of John Allen Muhammad, has seemed to be a mysterious case to me. 1. He had not only won the chance to represent himself as his own defense and lawyer - but I read that he is out to prove to the nation that he had ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-34

Denomination: Mennonite

The Parable Of The Rich Fool

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Mar 19, 2018

Parables are easy to understand but hard to live.

The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:13-21 There is nothing like a simple store to illustrate a point. We gravitate to storytellers, and Jesus was a master of the story, in particular the parable. They are stories from everyday life. This makes them easy to understand. One does not need to go into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Parable Of The Greedy Tenants

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 4, 2008

Is Jesus the stone over whcih you stumble or the foundation of your life?

Mt 21:33-46 The Story of the Greedy Farmhands 33-34"Here’s another story. Listen closely. There was once a man, a wealthy farmer, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it, dug a winepress, put up a watchtower, then turned it over to the farmhands and went off on a trip. When it was time to harvest the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Anglican

Living Parable Of Servanthood

Contributed by John Raulerson on Sep 28, 2006

Jesus taught parable with a familiar subject, foot washing, but He did not paint a word picture but He made this a Living Parable as He acted out the truth of SERVANTHOOD.

A LIVING PARABLE OF SERVANTHOOD 10/22/00p RRC John 13:1-17 Jesus, the master teacher, always taught in parables. Parables are simply word pictures using a familiar subject to teach an important truth. On the night before His crucifixion the teacher was still teaching. This time He used another ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Sower And The Seed Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 15, 2024

In this sermon, we will study the biblical significance of this parable, exploring its themes, symbolism, and practical applications.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares a profound parable that has been a cornerstone of Christian teaching for centuries. The parable of the sower and the seed (Matthew 13:1-23) is a rich and multifaceted allegory that offers insights into the nature of spiritual growth, the importance of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

The Parable Of The Land Owner Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 16, 2011

1) The work (Matthew 21:33) 2) The Wickedness (Matthew 21:34–39) 3) The wrath (Matthew 21:40–41) 4)The witness (Matthew 21:42) and finally 5) The withdrawal (Matthew 21:43–46).

This week, a suicide attacker who appears to have concealed his explosives inside a turban killed a senior cleric and at least three other people on Thursday at a funeral service for the assassinated brother of the Afghan president in southern Kandahar city. The attack came just two days after a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Other

Parable Of The Hidden Treasure Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 18, 2007

Nothing can destroy God’s people, Israel--Not killing all male babies, or burning their cities, not gas chambers, and not a nuke from Iran. Israel’s FAVOUR, their FAILURE, and their FUTURE. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Parable of the Hidden Treasure Matthew 13:44 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/HiddenTreasure.html There are ten “Kingdom Parables”, and according to vv. 1-2 they were given by the seaside [Galilee]. V. 36 says Jesus sent the multitude away after delivering four of them, and then entered into a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Wheat And Darnel

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Oct 7, 2006

Wheat or Darnel - what grabs your attention?

Harvest Festival 2006 Christian and Susannah – pastors from Ransdorf, just outside Berlin in Germany have been staying with us this weekend. And at breakafast yesterday we spoke about about their “Harvest Festival” in Germany And the German word for “Harvest Festival” is “Erntedankfest” which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Anglican

A Parable For Recalcitrant Goats

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Nov 27, 2023

A sermon for Christ the King Sunday, Year A

November 26, 2023 Christ the King Sunday Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 25:31-46 A Parable for Recalcitrant Goats Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Perhaps the most central call to prayer in Judaism is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Parable Of The Great Supper.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 24, 2023

It is not only an invitation, but also a command.

PARABLE OF THE GREAT SUPPER. Luke 14:15-24. LUKE 14:15. “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God,” remarked one of the guests sitting at table with Jesus. How sincere the remark was we may only conjecture: but it is, on the surface, a true enough sentiment. But it is one thing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24, Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parables Of Sowing And Reaping

Contributed by Michael Mays on Aug 27, 2021

We treasure, or take care of, and make use of, only the things we value. In Jesus' discussion in this chapter, He talks about the value of sowing.

I. Introduction A. Illustration 1. Going into the Christmas-buying season of 2013, it was estimated that over $1 billion would go unredeemed, and there are always excuses: there’s a 5-year redemption limit (some businesses issuing these cards won’t even be solvent that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-30, Matthew 13:36-43