Sermons on Metaphor:

Victory In Service: A Veterans Day Sermon

Contributed by Mark Sparks on Nov 10, 2023

Greetings and acknowledgment of Veterans Day. Brief overview of the David and Goliath story as a metaphor for overcoming challenges. Emphasis on the parallels between the courage of veterans and David's bravery.

Talking Points: 1. The Giants We Face: - Acknowledge the challenges veterans often encounter, both on and off the battlefield. - Connect the metaphorical "Goliaths" in our lives to struggles with PTSD, physical injuries, and societal reintegration. 2. The Armor of God: - ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-37, Ephesians 6:10-18, Romans 12:4-5, John 15:13

Denomination: Church Of God

When Is An Empty Chair A Reason For Hope?

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 21, 2007

Using an empty chair as the central metaphor we explore how Paul’s exhortation to REJOICE comes alive in our own painful lives - all within the framework of the Trinity.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three In One who pours His Love into our hearts and makes us rejoice. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ About one hundred years before the Reformation, an artist named Andrei Rublev painted a depiction of the Trinity. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

A Lesson In Faith By Way Of The Sea

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

The Disciples learn about their faith on the sea. The sea is a metaphor for life's events. How strong is your faith when your "sea" gets turbulent.

Jesus's disciples were sent out to the next city that He wanted to visit. They ran into trouble. A weather event took place, and that made it difficult to continue their voyage. They were scared about what was about to happen to them. In the narrative, they did not call out to the LORD or to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Denomination: United Methodist

What Are You Holding Onto? Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon continues the Anchor series, exploring the concept of an anchor as a metaphor for faith, and encourages letting go of anything that isn't God, using biblical references from Mark and Luke.

Welcome back church! Today we continue our Anchor series together. And as a quick refresher from last week; An anchor is an amazing invention, used by fishermen and sailors for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The basic concept of an anchor is that it “is a device, normally made of metal, used ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-23, Luke 15:11-20

Topics: Hope, Letting Go, Secure Anchor

Sermon Series: Anchor

The 2nd Census (Numbers 26)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 2, 2024

Numbering those who were allowed to enter the promised land can be seen as a metaphor for an eternal promised land. Will we be in that number? Let's look at Numbers 26.

The generation that had rebelled against God had all passed away. It was time for a new generation to enter the promised land. What was their number? Does this metaphorically picture a chosen number who cross the Jordan into that eternal promised land? Let’s look at Numbers 26. What were Moses and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons From The Wise And Foolish Virgins

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 1, 2025

The parable of the wise and foolish virgins, as recounted in Matthew 25, illustrates the importance of readiness and vigilance in the Christian life. It serves as a metaphor for the coming of Christ and the necessity of being prepared to meet Him.

LESSONS FROM THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, Ephesians 5:15-16, Proverbs 21:20, Matthew 7:24-27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon On The Way To The Stars

Contributed by William Meakin on Aug 21, 2025

The idiom: "The Way To The Stars" is often used metaphorically, especially in contexts like the RAF motto "Per ardua ad astra" (Through adversity to the stars).

Norman Vincent Peale, an American author once remarked: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.” Genesis 1:14-18 reminds us: “And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:26, Psalm 8:3-4, 1 Corinthians 15:40-41, Amos 5:8

What The Body Of Christ Needs

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 11, 2003

Using the metaphor of a body, I believe that for this church to function properly as Christ would have it function, as well as each us individually, there are certain body parts that ALL of us must possess.

WHAT THE BODY OF CHRIST NEEDS I CORINTHIANS 12:12-18 INTRODUCTION: Throughout the New Testament the church is likened to a physical body made up of many members each functioning in a different capacity but all being part of the same unity and working together for the proper functioning and benefit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Bronze Laver (Or Bronze Washbasin) Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jun 10, 2007

In a continuing series about the different furnishings of the wilderness tabernacle; we now come to the bronze laver. This sermon looks at its use in the day of Moses, and what it means metaphorically for us today.

Introduction The Tabernacle was a beautiful place... many of the furnishings adorned with gold...some with bronze... The beautiful colorful fabrics... I’m sure it must have been a sight to behold... however, the beauty of the tabernacle is not found in the precious metals or the colorful ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 30:17-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Boot Camp

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 15, 2011

Using the Boot Camp metaphor would lend itself to Moses being a leader ----much like a drill sergeant. In this episode Moses encountered the unhappy campers in the their exodus from Egyptian captivity.

BOOT CAMP Text: Exodus 17:1- 7 Anyone who was ever in the military is familiar what with the term Boot Camp. When a veteran hears the term Boot Camp, they can recall not only the branch of service that they were in, but also how intense the training was for them when they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: United Methodist

Babies, Fields, And Buildings Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Jan 31, 2023

The fifth in our study through the book of 1st Corinthians. In this sermon we examine the metaphors Paul uses to describe the Church in Corinth, and the lessons we can learn from them.

Corinthians Series (Part Five) Text: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 OPEN WITH PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING Well good morning to you. It’s good to see you all here with us this morning. It is good to gather with the Church on the Lord’s Day right! We are in 1st Corinthians chapter 3 this morning, and we’re ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17, Luke 8:11-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"the Dogs May Bark, But The Gospel Train Rolls On."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Mar 28, 2024

This message uses the metaphor of a train and wild dogs, representing gainsayers, including institutions and world governments, attempting to stop the train, illustrating God's plan and purposes through the earth.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Psalms 33:11) "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." (Proverbs 16:3-4) [3] "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:11, Proverbs 16:3-4, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 14:26-27, 2 Kings 19:32-33, 2 Kings 19:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stand Your Ground! Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 21, 2021

Message teaches the practical application of the metaphor of armor in Eph. 6:10-17. Christians are in a spiritual battle simply because they are Christians. In an increasingly antichristian culture this teaching becomes even more essential.

The title of this message is: Stand Your Ground! There are times and season when the devil’s assaults against believers are more intense than at other times. Scripture not only tells us to be prepared for such times, but also tells us how to be prepared. That’s our subject today. I am an optimist. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Corinthians 16:9, Hebrews 11:32-35, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Proverbs 6:27-28, Ephesians 4:25, 1 Timothy 4:13, Mark 16:15, Luke 22:31-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, Luke 4:3-13, 1 Peter 3:15, Joshua 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Fire Of God Series

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Mar 9, 2023

"The fire of God" is a biblical metaphor used to describe the power and presence of God. It shows that he is good at cleaning and refining things and that he can eat and destroy everything bad.

THE FIRE OF GOD Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel, March 9, 2023 Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire." INTRODUCTION "The fire of God" is a biblical metaphor used to describe the power and presence of God. It shows that he is good at cleaning and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Walking Through The Valley Of Death With The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 14, 2024

The Valley of Death is a real place and also metaphoric for describing life's trials and daring challenges. Fearlessly, we can walk through any Valley of Death with Jesus, the Good Shephard

The readings you/we have just read are among my most loved passages from God's Word. I know that you love them the most, too. Psalm 23, which we love so much, is, without any doubt, the song of our souls as we live this life as Christians. Even if only we were made to recite and memorise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican