Sermons on Figurative:

Sarah Laughed

Contributed by William Hayes on Apr 26, 2006

A meditation on Biblical themes joined by the word laughter.

I had a terrible thing happen a few weeks ago when I was taking a service in a wee church (that shall remain nameless) in the country. I had got to that stage in the service where I was leading people in the prayers of confession and as I was just about to finish a particularly sombre bit about ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Envious To Thankful

Contributed by John Petty on Dec 1, 2008

Asaph the Music Minister lost his focus and became envious of the wicked. But one trip to God’s house helped him to refocus and become grateful.

When we read the Psalms we need to first understand what they are. They are a collection of poetry that has been set to music. They are songs of poetry, most of them written by David but also by other writers. They were written at different times in Israel’s history. Some of them were written while ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Church Of God

The Failure Of The Resurrection! Series

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 10, 2010

There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the

I don't know how many of you were at this year's annual 'Smith Lecture', but it was a good night - highly stimulating and intellectually challenging - and afterwards Ange and I got into a discussion over dinner where she made the comment that the older she got the more impressed she was at how ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Despising The Lord's Table

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Oct 24, 2010

The New Year brings with it a sense that here we are again, doing the same old things, even in worship. But the prophet warns us that weariness in worship comes from offering God less than our best.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC January 3, 1988 Prominent in Greek mythology there is the story of Sisyphus. Sisyphus, you may remember, was the poor lost soul who had been condemned to spend eternity heaving and shoving a huge rock up to the top of a hill, only to have it roll ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

Overcoming All Odds Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 4, 2011

When God originates, He orchestrates. God will grant us the strength we need to finish His work. Expect challenges when doing God's will. Choose to look at problems with eyes of faith, not fear.

Nehemiah 2:11-20 Overcoming All Odds ES 30Jan11 2072 What God originates, He orchestrates. • It started off with a burden, and a desire to do something. Nehemiah shared this with God. • God puts the pieces in place (so to speak) and Nehemiah got what he needed. The will of God never ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fitting In

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 13, 2011

comedian Lenny Bruce gives our Christian psychology a metaphorical cattle prod shock when he said, “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.’” I suspect it has a lot to do with fitting in.

“Fitting In” John 17:11-19 I read the prologue to a story called Girl in the Middle. The girl is Kim Satinsky who is in eighth grade. She says, “You would think that being in a clique is fun but take my word for it: It’s not. They make me wear expensive things when I’m not really rich and tell me ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Salvation Army

To Every Thing There Is A Season Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 16, 2011

To everything there is a season and a purpose under Heaven. God loved each of us before the world was created. He knows us by name. God will always guide and direct us through all the seasons of life.

Every time I hear the word “season” I think of the song “Turn, Turn, Turn.” It was recorded by Pete Seeger and the Byrds in 1965. The majority of people who heard and liked this song had no idea it was based on the words found in the 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes, all except ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Ecclesiastes 3:1

Denomination: Christian Church

The Story- Chapter 20- The Roll Of The Dice Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 20, 2014

Is life just a roll of the dice or is there someone bigger behind the scenes?

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • A saying in Vegas is “MY LIFE IS WRAPPED UP IN THE ROLL OF THE DICE.” • In Vegas you can beat the odds and win it all with a roll of the dice or you can lose it all in a roll of the dice. • It seems as (when no one is cheating) that it ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remembered Prominence, Ridiculous Preconception, Reliable Promises

Contributed by Judith Hand on Nov 9, 2013

Looking ahead to a new temple, a new kind of existence, and the promise of a new home in heaven.

Haggai 1:15-2:9 First, a Remembered Prominence…. In our Old Testament reading from Haggai we see that the Jewish believers in that day began to think all was lost, especially when they compared the beautiful temple of Solomon with the ruins around them now. But the prophet tells them that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Methodist

Impossible With God Luke 1:26-38 Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Dec 18, 2013

Mary was willing to humble herself, accept the change of her circumstances, accept the shame and gossip and disdain she would face. In your life God wants to do something impossible for you, but possible for Him.

The Riddle I was at a Christmas party many years ago. A pastor and author was there who liked to play games with riddles. He had a good one which stumped everyone at the party. “what’s bigger than the universe . . . dead men eat it . . . if living men eat it they die”. You ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: *other

The Love Of A Father

Contributed by Landon Winstead on Dec 31, 2013

The love of the father in the story of the Prodigal Son reminds us of God's extravagant love for us

“The Love of a Father” Luke 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son is possibly the most familiar story in all of Scripture. It at least ranks in the top five. Why is that? Could it be because it is such good news for us? The story is told from all different perspectives but I want to concentrate on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Are You Babe Like Or Babyish

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Aug 1, 2013

When it comes to your Christian walk are you babe like or babyish? It's an important question that must be answered.

The Bible is full of figurative language or imagery, used to describe Christians. Christians are compared sheep, soldiers, athletes, brothers and sisters, workers, slaves, children and babes. It’s the last one in our list that I would like to spend some time exploring in this lesson and ask ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14, 1 Peter 2:2

Denomination: *other

Jesus And Elijah Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

Are you Elijah? (Matthew 16:14) (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Are you...Elihah (Matthew 16:14) Reading: 1 Kings chapter 17 verse 1. Quote: “Socrates was aid to be wise, not because he knew all the answers, but because he asked the right questions.” Jesus knew how to ask a good question: • And when he asked the disciples; “Who do the crowds say that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1

Denomination: Brethren

The World Views A Failure Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Mar 2, 2016

The Cross, God's Plan, Wisdom, Faith

4 Views from the Cross – The World Views a Failure 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (p. 793) March 6, 2016 Introduction: Suppose I showed up one day from a foreign country and said I’ve got an amazing story I want to share with you... A Peruvian peasant by the name of Carlos was put to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Significance Of A New Creation-16 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 31, 2016

Part B--vii-ix of point 14. Paul commended his apostolic ministry to the Corinthian church thru a list of practical realities. The Practical Realities of Ministry are seen in our Ministry Commendations...

‘The Significance Of A New Creation’--XVI—2Corinthians 5:9--6:10... 14. The PRACTICAL REALITIES Of MINISTRY-B—2Corinthians 6:3-10... Part B of point 14 in the series. Attention: No matter what we do for a living or how we worship together corporately, much more is required ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Baptist