Sermons on Illustration:

Parables Concerning The Kingdom, Part 1 (Matthew 13:1-23)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 13, 2025

Matthew, Chapter 13, presents a series of stories, or parables, Jesus used to illustrate the concepts of the kingdom of God, the approaching judgment, and the work of the devil. Listen, if you have ears to hear.

The thirteenth chapter of Matthew's gospel focuses upon the parables of Jesus. As the Master got into a boat while teaching the people on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He told a story about a man whose job it was to sow seed into ground that had been tilled in order to grow crops. In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-53, Mark 4:1-9, Mark 6:1-6, Luke 4:16-30, Luke 8:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Wealth Doesn't Guarantee Heaven SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Jesus, through the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, illustrates that wealth does not equate to righteousness. The rich man, despite having worldly possessions, lacked what was necessary for entry into heaven.

Today, we will explore the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, as told by Jesus. This parable serves to remind us that being wealthy does not equate to being righteous. The rich man in the story had everything he desired, but he lacked what was necessary for eternal salvation. In the parable, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Wealth And Righteousness, Abraham's Bosom

Remember Your Name PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Aims to explore the power of faith, the value of identity, and the impact of our beliefs on our lives, as illustrated by the healing of a woman in Mark 5:24-34 through her faith in Jesus.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! We gather today to unpack and explore the richness of Mark 5:24-34, where a woman's faith in Jesus heals her from an affliction she had suffered from for twelve long years. We're going to touch on the power of faith, the value of identity, and the impact of our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34

Topics: Identity

Lazarus And The Rich Man PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Emphasize the importance of compassion and good deeds in our lives, as neglecting these can lead to severe consequences, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19-31.

Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a powerful message from the book of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This passage is a profound illustration of the sin of omitting good deeds, the consequences of ignoring others, and the incredible power of compassion. Before we delve in, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Great Omission

Feeding The Multitude PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore the themes of Christ's compassion, God's abundant provision, and the importance of demonstrating grace through action, as illustrated in the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand in Matthew 14:13-21.

Good morning, church family! I love it when we gather here together, each of us eager to dive into God's word and see what divine wisdom we can glean from it for our lives. Today, we're going to take a look at a well-known passage from Matthew's Gospel that teaches us about Christ's compassion for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Topics: Christ's Compassion

Follow Me Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the idea that Jesus chose ordinary people to follow him, emphasizing that anyone willing can join Jesus in his work, as illustrated through the biblical stories of fishermen.

Welcome back to week 2 of our Hooked series. If you weren’t with us last week it’s worth noting that this IS NOT a series about pirates - but IT IS a series about fishing, fisherman, nets, and the open sea… Which we talked a lot about in week 1 where we learned; “The kingdom of heaven is like a net ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Topics: Ordinary Heroes, Faithful Following, World Change

Sermon Series: Hooked

Gratitude's Nemesis: The Grumble Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores how grumbling and complaining can undermine God's grace and poison the heart, using examples from the Bible and popular culture to illustrate the importance of focusing on gratitude and grace.

There is a movie series from the 1990s that is about two men. I am going to give you a few descriptive words, and I want to see if you can name these movies: complaining, negativity, intolerance, uncompromising, griping, fussing, grumpiness. What movie series has characters known for these ...read more

Topics: Gratitude, Complaining, Grace Of God

Sermon Series: Gratitude

A Samaritan's Mustard Seed Faith

Contributed by Charles Holt on Apr 3, 2002

The healing of 10 lepers and the Samaritan in particular illustrates Jesus response to the disciples request for increased faith. "If you have faith as a mustard seed . . ." Jesus said, the impossible will become possible.

A Samaritan’s Mustard Seed Faith Luke 17:6,11-19 By: Charles W. Holt Orange, TX email: cholt@gt.rr.com There is found in the 17th chapter of Luke a story of the healing of 10 lepers. In just a few minutes I will ask you to read the story with me beginning with verse 11 and continuing through verse ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:6-19, Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Joseph Bag

Contributed by Andy Almendarez on Apr 9, 2002

Using a multicolored bag to illustrate the major events of the life of Joseph adults and children alike can see how God was at work in the life of Joseph and can be at work in your life as well.

The Joseph Bag Genesis 37-41 Today I would like to tell you a story about a man named Joseph. By a show of hands how many of you have heard of Joseph? Joseph’s story is found in the book of Genesis. Joseph’s life teaches us many things. One important thing about Joseph is that even though hard ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Realationship Series

Contributed by Paul Newell on Dec 4, 2006

Discovering the REAL Christmas begins with REALationship. Though Simon Peter does not meet the Christ Child until thirty years after his birth, Peter is still a powerful illustration of REALationship.

Pretend Santas, imitation smells, counterfeit presents, simulated smiles, artificial trees, fake snow...how is it that we’ve turned the Christmas season into everything but something real? It appears to me that most of what is foisted upon us during the holiday’s is anything but real. As we prepare ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Not As Clean As You Think

Contributed by Robert Simmons on May 6, 2006

Seeker service that uses a couple of dial commercials to illustrate how we need the cleansing of Christ in our lives. This sermon has a couple of video clips and powerpoint available if you are interested.

Sermon Text—–1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. Introduction: · From ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Denomination: Church Of God

Jury Duty [judge Not / Judging] Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jul 26, 2006

Jesus said "Judge Not." What this means, doesn’t mean, and how the Lord masterfully illustrated the true interpretation of this verse. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint template.

Jury Duty Matthew 7:1-5 Ever been called to jury duty? Ever been asked to ‘make a judgment’ about a matter? Some Christians seem to feel they are on ‘permanent jury duty’ as they go thru life. And Jesus addresses this fact in this final leg of the Sermon on the Mount. Today 12 members of a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Jesus?

Contributed by Billy Kryger on Aug 27, 2005

Paul asked the question, "Who are Thou, Lord?" Jesus answered, "I am Jesus...". Who is Jesus? Thanks to Roger Campbell for this outline to which I added personal illustrations and alliteration..

INTRODUCTION * Saul’s Searching Question -Saul was passionate in persecuting the church - Jesus confronted Saul on the road to Damascus * A light from Heaven; a voice speaking to him. - Saul’s question: “Who art Thou, Lord?” - The voice’s answer: “I am ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:5

Denomination: Baptist

Donation Or Duty?

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Uses story of Good Samaritan to discuss our attitudes toward our own resources and toward the needs of others. Uses clip from movie "Forrest Gump" to illustrate power of kindness.

Donation or Duty? Luke 10:25-37[1] 11-28-04 Intro The story of the Good Samaritan—a powerful reminder of how we are to respond to the pain and needs of those around us. Most of us are familiar with the story in our text. Most of us want to respond like the Samaritan and not like the priest and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Charismatic

The Supreme Question Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Oct 3, 2006

2 of 5 messages from Colossions. Why Jesus is supreme and our faith in him is well founded. Several illustrations and thoughts came from Brian Bill - Sermon Central Contributer

The Supreme Question On October 18, 2001 the Washington Post described a new church in the state of Maryland. Using market research and focus groups, this denomination has designed weekly services that deliberately de-emphasize Jesus Christ. One of the founders of the church has said, “The sad ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ