Sermons on Figurative Language:

Lord’s Prayer 13: Put Us Not To The Test! Series

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Dec 3, 2024

Everyday we face problems and tests which we have to try and solve or overcome - some strengthen us others lead us into doing things we are not proud of. The question that hits you from this phrase from the Lord's prayer is - does God put tests before us? Or is this just part of everyday life?

Lord’s Prayer 13: Put us not to the test! Isn’t it strange how the meaning of certain words either become old fashioned or their meaning completely changes. An extremely good example of the change of the meaning of a word, is ‘GAY’ A simple dictionary describes this adjective as someone who is ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:10, James 1:2, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Stop Your Arrogancy Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 22, 2024

Let us reflect on the danger of arrogance and the importance of humility.

The Bible warns us against the snare of arrogance, reminding us that pride goes before a fall. In Proverbs 16:18, we read, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." In Luke 14:11, Jesus teaches us, "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18, Luke 14:11

The Tower Of Babel (Genesis 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 16, 2024

Does Pentecost begin to reverse the curse of Babel? Let's discuss this in Genesis 11.

God separated our ancestors into language groups at Babel to encourage them to migrate and populate the whole world. On Pentecost, God began a process of reversing the language division at Babel, bringing the nations back together again in one church (Acts 2), through the miracle of hearing the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

My Neighbor

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 18, 2018

Have you ever thought of what difference a word of compassion, encouragement, or affirmation can make in someone else's life? This sermon calls us to recognize others' needs and to show our love for them in the appropriate love language.

[Sermon preached on 26 August 2018, 14th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Somehow, widows have been on my mind this past week. Last Tuesday, I was contacted by a woman whose husband had just died. She asked me to arrange the funeral. That same day, I read the Bible readings for ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:8-18, Mark 12:41-44

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Words Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Oct 8, 2024

Our words have immense power. They can direct, destroy, and reveal the condition of our hearts. We should be intentional with our words, using them to guide others toward God, speak words of encouragement and blessing, and reflect His love and truth.

Hey guys! Today, we're gonna chat about something we all use every day - words. You know, those things we text, tweet, and sometimes even say out loud. They're more powerful than you might think. They can build up or tear down, create understanding or confusion, and bring people closer to God or ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Topics: Communication, Verbal Influence, Speech Ethics, Language Power

Finding Our Native Tongue Series

Contributed by Eldon Reich on Aug 24, 2007

This sermon deals with the lost language of the Christian. We have become a part of the world so much that we no longer have a distintive language.

FINDING OUR NATIVE TONGUE John 8:42-44 Friends, did you know that there are 6000 languages in the world One is said to disappear every fortnight—2 weeks. 200 years ago the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt stumbled upon a village in what is now Venezuela. While there he heard a parrot ...read more

Scripture: John 8:42-44

Denomination: Methodist

The Tower Of Babel Series

Contributed by Jerry Smith on Jun 22, 2014

Seven lessons we can learn from the story of the Tower of Babel.

BASIC BIBLE STORIES The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1 – 11:9) What can we learn from the story of the Tower of Babel? 1. Man NATURALLY disobeys God Genesis 8:21 says, “…the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 51:5, Genesis 8:21, Romans 3:23, Genesis 9:1, 1 Timothy 1:15, Romans 8:1, 1 Peter 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Perverse People Spread Strife Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 13, 2011

The emphasis of the passage is on the dangers of perversity and the disastrous fate of its perpetrator. We here have a description of a person who deceives and stirs up strife & how to spot the scoundrel.

PROVERBS 6: 12-15 PERVERSE PEOPLE SPREAD STRIFE [Genesis 37:29-35] What and how we communicate is important to God. There are those who are skilled in the methods of communication but deceitfully use their skills to spread slander and strife. This description is not a picture of a real friend ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 6:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Leper Cleansed By Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 14, 2022

Leprosy is often used as a figure for sin.

A LEPER CLEANSED BY JESUS. Luke 5:12-16. The various skin diseases which fall under the Biblical heading of ‘leprosy’ have long stood as a metaphor for that worst of all human diseases: sin. However, this does not detract from the historicity of the incident which Luke now sets before us. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cheap Talk And Free Speech Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Words have power. And whether that power accomplishes good or evil depends on where it comes from, and what it is intended to do.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” You’ve all heard that saying, haven’t you? We’ve probably all used it, in fact - usually when a child comes home from school upset because someone called her a bad name. We do distinguish between words and actions. That is what ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Communication

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Mar 28, 2005

Paul’s statement in verse 10 gives us good reason to believe that he was referring to known languages and not some “heavenly” language.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: The story is told about three kids bragging about their fathers: The first one said, “My dad’s so smart he can talk for one hour on any subject.” The second one said, “My dad’s so smart he can talk for two hours on any subject.” Finally, the third one said, “My dad’s so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dig A New Well

Contributed by Ronnie Smith on May 19, 2018

Jacob had to figure it out on his own

Genesis 26: 12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. 13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: 14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"As The Spirit Gave Utterance"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Sep 23, 2004

God gives us a ’language’ of unity in Him.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.” (vs 4) The verse we’re studying today, and indeed, this entire passage involving most of chapter 2, has been debated and heatedly argued between various camps for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:4

Denomination: Orthodox

We Have A Failure To Communicate! (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Feb 22, 2014

Language barrier separates more people than any wall could have, it is more effective than any national border.

Genesis 11:1-9-Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is A Four-Letter Word

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 18, 2022

Many four-letter words are used tritely as vulgar and profane slang or to curse someone.

The word "love" is also a four-letter word used so commonly that its true meaning and significance has been lost. People say they 'love' their house, car, clothes, church, school, pets, food, family, friends, hairdo, music, makeup, movies, etc., and they 'love' God. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:19, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Luke 11:11-13, Matthew 22:37-40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational