Sermons on Metaphor:

King David’s Theme Song Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Sep 2, 2022

We will look at King David’s Theme song. This song has extremely high praise of God and is filled with metaphors. Some of the metaphors describe God as, a Rock, a Fortress, deliverer, refuge, shield, salvation, strength and lamp.

You probably can sing a television theme song, and someone could name that tune right away. The theme song identifies the show. Even when the older shows are gone their theme song live on. If any of us sang Gilligan’s Island or Beverly Hillbillies, then the rest of us could sing along. Do you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on May 2, 2022

When we focus only upon temporal physical and superficial longings – represented by physical bread – we neglect our eternal deep spiritual needs, represented by spiritual bread, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

I Am the Bread of Life (John 6:35-51) 1. Most writers know not to use mixed metaphors. Here are some examples: 1. She was a couch potato in the gravy boat of life, flopping dejectedly on the sofa. 2. All at once he was alone in this noisy hive with no place to roost. 3. The little boat gently ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible

No Man Is An Island Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 13, 2011

Jesus’ metaphors of salt and light reveal how His followers are to be positive influences in the world.

You’ve probably all heard the old adage “No man is an island.” Since that was the thought that first came to mind as I read the passage that we’ll look at this morning, this week I did some research to find out where that saying originated. It comes from Meditation XVII ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Thousand Years And The Final Judgment Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Nov 5, 2020

We want a turn by turn GPS experience. Most of Revelation was written in symbolism, imagery and metaphors.

The Last Word – Revelation 20 A Thousand Years and the Final Judgment November 8, 2020 We want a turn by turn GPS experience. Most of Revelation was written in symbolism, imagery and metaphors. This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood chapters in scripture. Satan is thrown into ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-4, Colossians 2:15, Revelation 20:11-15, Luke 15:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do The Magi's Gifts Mean Today?

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 2, 2021

The gifts that the magi presented to the baby Jesus have metaphorical meaning. What do they mean today?

The story about the three magi visiting the baby Yeshua is a problematic story. If such an event took place, why is it only found in Matthew's Gospel? The idea of three magi traveling from Persia to Judea is fascinating. The narrative says that they followed the Bethlehem star. Many people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Sermon On A Voyage Of Discovery

Contributed by William Meakin on Jun 13, 2025

A voyage of discovery in metaphorical terminology may describe a journey of individual growth, learning, or self-awareness.

Marcel Proust, a French novelist and literary critic once remarked: "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes". 1 Corinthians 13:10-12 reminds us: “But when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, James 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 16:9

Sermon On A Bridge Over Troubled Water

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 7, 2026

"A Bridge Over Troubled Water" is a metaphor for hope through connection or faith.

Devon Eaton, the author of “A Book I’ll Never Write,” once remarked: "My world's an eternity of total eclipse / And I call it my personal apocalypse.” Matthew 24:29-31 reminds us: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:23, 2 Samuel 14:14, Genesis 1:2

Is Your Church A Cruise-Ship Or A Battleship?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 5, 2011

Which image better describes a church? Your church? I know, it’s a metaphor. All metaphors break down at some point. When making a choice, our natural inclination is to choose the cruise ship over the battleship any day.

Opening illustration: watch an illustrative audio-video clip Introduction: On the surface we would believe that the early church in Acts was blessed with outstanding growth due to the anointed preaching of the apostles; their balanced practices that would evolve into much of our church programming ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Amazing Grace!

Contributed by John Sloat on Apr 3, 2001

A 5-year-old with a broken foot in a wheelchair at DisneyWorld among caring people is a metaphor for grace.

AMAZING GRACE Text: Ephesians 1:6,7b,8a I want to think with you this morning about the grace of God. The text is from Ephesians, the first chapter, verses 6, 7, and 8: "Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear son. How great is the grace of God which he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Light In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Jan 28, 2002

Jesus is the promised light to the people who walked in darkness. Examines the metaphor of "light" and what it actually describes.

A Light in the Darkness Text: Matthew 4:12-25 Introduction When I was in 4th Grade my class took a field trip to the Cave of the Winds. At one point in the tour they turned the lights off and we experienced total darkness. Then in the distance someone lit a single match. It was amazing the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25, Isaiah 9:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Lamb, The Lion, The Eagle, And The Hen

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Apr 16, 2008

Four metaphors that depict various aspects of our Lord’s relationship to all who believe in Him.

THE LAMB, THE LION, THE EAGLE, AND THE HEN "They conquered him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.” Revelation 12:11 (HCSB) The title of today’s sermon gives us four metaphors that depict various aspects of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:11

Denomination: Baptist

Winning Life’s Race

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Nov 3, 2014

A sermon on Hebrews 12:1-2 that examines the the metaphor of the Christian life as a race in a track and field event.

Winning Life’s Race Chuck Sligh November 2, 2014 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 12 INTRODUCTION Illus. – When I was in high school, I participated in track and field. When we’d arrive at a track meet, we’d begin by warming up with various stretching and ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Caution - Church Under Construction

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Oct 2, 2023

Based on 1 Corinthians 3. A message about building a healthy church - using the extended metaphor of construction.

Title: Build The Church – Be The Church Text: 1 Cor 3:5-17 Homiletical subject: What does it take to build a healthy and growing church? Homiletical complement: it takes all of us, using all of our gifts, with all of our heart, in the power and partnership of Jesus Christ, who is Lord of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Work Of Wisdom

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on May 25, 2012

Is it a shock that the writer of Proverbs 31 used the metaphor of a wife and a mom to explain wisdom? It's not a shock to me.

The Work of Wisdom In honor of mothers day we’re going to talk about wisdom; which is appropriate considering how wisdom plays an active daily part in the life of a mom. We'll start with what the Bible says about wisdom with a Scripture you may wonder about at first. Why are we reading this ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sermon On Every Inch Of The Way

Contributed by William Meakin on Jan 4, 2026

Earthly human life, in a metaphorical sense, could be considered to represent the span of a tape measure with a finite end.

Abraham Kuyper, a former prime minister of the Netherlands once remarked: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Psalm 37:23-24 reminds us: “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:21, Proverbs 3:5-6, Philippians 1:6, Matthew 28:20