Sermons on Metaphor:

Run The Race With Endurance Hebrews 12:1 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 27, 2024

Hebrews 12:1 speaks to us about running the race of faith with endurance. This metaphor of running a race is not only vivid but deeply instructive for our Christian walk.

Transformed by Truth: "Run the Race with Endurance" Hebrews 12:1 (NLT): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1, Romans 15:4, Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:8, James 1:3-4, Philippians 3:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Up Your Cross Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of metaphorically taking up our cross as Jesus did, understanding that it signifies enduring difficulties in life, and seeking strength from God to persevere.

Good morning church, it’s great to see you all again as we continue in our series ALL-IN. Last week we kicked things off talking about the first of Jesus’ 3 commandments in our main passage from Matthew 16:24. To “deny yourselves” is the first command. And today, we’re going to take it one step ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 16:33

Topics: Cross Bearing, Perseverance, Self-Denial

Sermon Series: All In

Revival: Stronger Than Ever - Where To Turn In Your Darkest Moment Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores where to turn during our darkest moments, using a personal anecdote from the pastor's childhood as a metaphor for finding oneself in unexpected and challenging situations.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of an afternoon in sixth grade, when a friend and I decided to swing on a newly-installed bar hanging over the walkway on our way out of school. The bar was about 8 feet off the ground, just low enough for the two of us to reach if we jumped. So on the ...read more

Topics: Overcoming Challenges, Faith In Crisis, Personal Growth

Sermon Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever

The Dawn Treader: The Voyage Series

Contributed by Mike Parry on Dec 11, 2010

The Voyage is a metaphor for the Christian life...using C. S. Lewis classic "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" we discover that the Christian life leads to adventure, transformation, and rescue.

“The Voyage” Narnia: Lessons from the Dawn Treader FCC – November 28, 2010 Introduction: C. S. Lewis’ masterpiece, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader comes to the big screen the weekend of December 10. C. S. Lewis is considered one of the greatest Christian thinkers of our century and wrote the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Healing – Preparing Oneself For Heaven

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Nov 13, 2021

Spiritual Healing is the preparation of one's soul to enter the gates of Heaven. Are you ready? The healing stories in Mark's Gospel are metaphors for our preparation.

Spiritual Healing – Preparing oneself for Heaven Mark 5:21-43 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz [Healing Story #1] 21 When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. 22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: United Methodist

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

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

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

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

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