Sermons on Jesus Parables:

The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 5, 2002

The younger son wanted blessing without relationship. So did the elder son. And so do we today.

This morning, we continue our journey through the parables of Christ. As we’ve noted before, a parable is a short story which is intended to teach or illustrate some spiritual truth. Parables are small but powerful, and this is demonstrated by their familiarity. Few of us, I imagine, could explain ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome Home

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 16, 2006

Jesus told three parables about lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. The stories highlight the truth that missing people matter to God. God places tremendous value on every individual. All heaven rejoices when one person repents and turns to God.

“Welcome Home” Luke 15:11-27 Those of you who have had or currently have sons can closely identify with the story Jesus told about a rebellious son. The rebellious son was the teenager and the other son was obedient and probably in his twenties. In Luke chapter 15 Luke records that Jesus made ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-27

Denomination: Free Methodist

Temptations -- Jesus' And Ours Series

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Jan 1, 2025

Temptation is our awful struggle not to lose ourselves and our potential to lose ourselves. Temptation also highlights God’s mercy and grace in our lives in the wilderness for forty minutes, hours, days or years.

In today’s Gospel reading, we encounter the most human and common experience: temptation, which Jesus also experienced in a very profound way. The temptations of Jesus are found in all four Gospels. But we are accustomed to thinking that Jesus was tempted three times before his public ministry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-2, Luke 4:1-13, Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Matthew 13:1-17 - A Backhoe Wouldn’t Go Astray! - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 8, 2011

Wait a minute! No, this is not about "15 minutes of fame". It’s about "sowing and reaping" longterm. It’s not "The Farmer wants a wife". It’s the FARMER WANTS A CROP. Jesus may have achieved CELEBRITY STATUS but He is not interested in walking out on the

Matthew 13:1-17 - A BACKHOE WOULDN’T GO ASTRAY! - Part 2 Just as well He didn’t come to HOLLYWOOD. I can see some of his key people pushing back the fans who crowd in and just want to get close enough to touch the edge of his coat or get His AUTOGRAPH. The PAPARAZZI are out in force and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ridiculous Patience: Parable Of The Vineyard - Mark 12:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 18, 2024

Why does Jesus tell such a farfetched story? The answer will help you in times when you're afraid God is losing patience with you.

Mark 12:1 He then began to speak to them in parables: "A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. 2 At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12, Matthew 21:33-46, Luke 20:9-19

The Dragnet

Contributed by Paul George on Jan 29, 2004

We have previously pointed out that it is important to carefully note the manner and method in which these seven parables are arranged, for their order provides key to their interpretation.

We have previously pointed out that it is important to carefully note the manner and method in which these seven parables are arranged, for their order provides key to their interpretation. The first parable is different than the other six. The phrase “the kingdom of heaven” is missing from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-50

Denomination: Holiness

Using Biblical Parables To Craft Compelling Accounts Across Cultures

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 11, 2001

USING BIBLICAL PARABLES TO CRAFT COMPELLING ACCOUNTS ACROSS CULTURES

USING BIBLICAL PARABLES TO CRAFT COMPELLING ACCOUNTS ACROSS CULTURES Introduction - Everyone craves an experience when they can listen to an account that will make the illusion of anothers’ reality seem like their own. Africans particularly appreciate a teacher who can heighten their sense of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Two Sons & The Pharisee And Publican: The Power Of Humility, The Danger Of Pride Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 28, 2022

I had learned about God when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, into my teens, but as my life became increasingly broken I rejected God, and went my own way in anger and pride.

I had learned about God when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, into my teens, but as my life became increasingly broken I rejected God, and went my own way in anger and pride. In my mind, I recall, I said to myself, we don’t need you God. We’re going to make this planet into a paradise on our own and show ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Jesus Illustrates "Called" And "Chosen"

Contributed by Ray Geide on Feb 12, 2013

What do the words, called and chosen, mean? Jesus illustrated it twice.

Jesus Illustrates "Called" and "Chosen" There are two Bible words that are pivotal to the Calvinist view: "called" and "chosen". Calvinism says that before time began God went through the people who would live on the earth and picked out certain ones to be saved. These are the chosen ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Peril Of Proud Praying! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Mar 31, 2003

The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector is an interesting lesson about pride and humility, which raises three questions: (1) Why did you come to church? (2) What is your attitude in church? and (3) How will you go home?

The Peril of Proud Praying! Luke 18:9-14 by Dr. David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION A man with three sons inherited a little over $1 billion dollars. Since he now had all this money, he offered to buy his sons anything they wanted. He stressed money was no object. His first son said he had always wanted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Stewardship Of The Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 17, 2010

Why does Jesus tell us that each servant received only one mina? (as opposed to the parable of the talents). And what does this parable tell us about our role as stewards of God’s gift?

OPEN: A famous preacher once delivered a powerful sermon on the subject of “God’s Ownership” and – since it spoke of the things we have belonging to God - this made a certain rich member of the church a little upset. The wealthy man took the preacher to his home for lunch, and then walked him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kingdom Seeds Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Apr 30, 2012

Most Biblical scholars regard the “kingdom of God” as the central theme of Jesus’ message.

The Gospel of Mark #11 – “Kingdom Seeds” Mark 4:21-34 Intro – 1. ILL – In an earlier century, a large boulder laid in the middle of the roadway. Traveler after traveler walked past the boulder, veering off the side of the road to get around it. All the while, they ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-34

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Baa Baa Black Sheep Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 29, 2011

Psychologists refer to the trait of not wanting someone to be part of their "flock" the "Black Sheep Effect". Jesus could have told His parable using a black sheep (because the sinners He worked with were that), but He didn’t. Were there reasons why He di

OPEN: (This is a video of a 3 yr old girl “reading” the story of the lost sheep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIhNBzK6dQ Begin at 31 sec mark. Quit at 3 minutes) In keeping with this idea of children’s stories, I want to share with you a children’s song about sheep. Sing along is you know the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Nov 6, 2020

The main purpose of this parable is to get us to ask a question. Do we have this unique Jesus-character of pity and compassion? A Jesus-character that is at the heart of being a neighbour.

Message Luke 10:25-37 The Good Samaritan Today we are going to look at a parable which – probably – is the most well-known of all of Jesus parables. Why do I say this? Well in Clarence Town, which is the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, there is an organisation which rescues donkeys from ill ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

"When You Don't Have A Prayer" Series

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Nov 4, 2015

A sermon on the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust Judge

Introduction: I was born and raised in the “holy land” - to you its Canada’s 10th province… we called “God’s country” … nowadays being exiled here in Upper Canada I refer to it as the “holy land”. It was a wonderful place to grow ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal