Sermons on metaphorical cave:

The Gentle Whisper - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jan 15, 2016

Elijah! What a story! What a life! Talk about a ministry with ups and downs; Elijah had them! This sermon takes us from Elijah's first encounter with Ahab to the Lord's first question to him in the cave on Mount Moriah. "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Elijah - a fascinating story Explain who Elijah was and where he fell in the history of Israel. Explain the spiritual state of Israel at the time of Elijah. (This is a different kind of sermon intended to be part one of two. In order to deliver this message I will read 1 Kings 17:1 - 1 Kings ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Easter 2016: Empty Promises

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 22, 2020

On the first Easter Sunday, instead of promises full of emptiness, God gave us emptiness that is full of promise. There are at least three of them—an empty cross, empty clothes, and an empty cave. It is the very fact that each of these is empty that assures us that God’s promises are not.

EASTER: EMPTY PROMISES Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 3/27/2016 I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for choosing to spend Easter morning with us here at the Grove. Whether you’ve been coming to the Grove all your life, or this is your first time visiting, or you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:8-10, Romans 6:23, Colossians 3:13-14, John 20:5-7, Matthew 28:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Washing Off The Grime Of Guilt Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 8, 2005

3nd in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using 5 different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor, i.e.,bumps of success, fear, guilt, the religious rut and grief, etc.

WASHING OFF THE GRIME OF GUILT Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 3 PSALM 32 INTRODUCTION: The story is told that Noel Coward, the well known playwright, as a prank, once sent an identical anonymous letter to 10 notable men in London. The note said, "We know what you have done. If you don’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Christ - Our New Ark Of The Covenant

Contributed by William Akehurst on Apr 7, 2012

Jesus is the NEW ARK of the NEW COVENANT See the correlation of the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus and CHRIST as the NEW ARK of the COVENANT as desribed in John 20:12 Metaphorically, Noah was saved by the Ark, We are saved by the ARK who is CHRIST JESUS.

2014.04.07.Sermon.The New Covenant Arose Symbolic Events of Resurrection Day The New Covenant, Napkin, Ascension and anticipation for His Return Scriptures: Exodus 25:10-22 Jeremiah 31:31-33 Matthew 26:28 John 20:1-29 Acts 1:4-11 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Summary: Christ is our ARK Noah and the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Reserve, No Retreat, And No Regret

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 27, 2018

Let’s discuss these 3 metaphors from Philippians 2:14-18 (Title and outline adapted from Stephen Davey at: http://www.wisdomonline.org/files/2405/Humility%20Part%209.pdf)

HoHum: In 1904 William Borden graduated from a Chicago high school. As heir to the Borden Dairy estate, he was already a millionaire. For his high school graduation present, his parents gave him a trip around the world. Now William’s mother had a profound influence on his life. In fact, she had ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thorns And Grace (July 2012).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Perhaps one of the most intriguing passages of scripture is that of Paul's mention of the "thorn in his flesh." Paul expounded upon his metaphor of the thorn as he said that it was something that kept his pride in check.

THORNS AND GRACE 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 I remember going barefoot as a ten year old kid, when I was living in Aiken as a preacher’s kid. As I was going barefoot, I wound up stepping on a board that had three nails in it. The pain got my attention and definitely ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

How Often I Would, But You Would Not

Contributed by John Gaston on May 3, 2023

God uses the metaphor of a hen to describe His love for us. We look at why He wants to gather us, the means He uses to do so, and the dangers of ignoring His call. Missed opportunities become judgments!

HOW OFTEN I WOULD, BUT YOU WOULD NOT Matt. 23:37-38 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Here’s an early Mother’s Day joke. A pastor was talking to a teenage boy; “I want to teach you about a higher power.” 2. The teen answered, “You mean, my Dad?” The pastor laughed, “Haha! No! Much higher than that!” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:37-38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Abraham A Journey Of Faith, And Ours As Heirs Of The Promise. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Mar 15, 2024

Abraham was promised land, that he would be a great nation, from him all the people of the Earth would be blessed. At the end of his life he owned a burial cave, a field and the trees in that field. A heads up the promise is fulfilled. God's promises always are.

Abraham a journey of faith, and ours as heirs of the promise. The thing with Abraham and his journey of faith was that it was just that. A journey of faith. God had told Abraham when he was still Abram, yip before the name change this: Check out Genesis 12 verses 2-3. “I will make you into ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:2-3, Romans 4:2-3, John 8:49-59, Psalm 100:5, 2 Samuel 7:28, Psalm 34:8, Philippians 4:6-7, John 1:12-13, Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 3:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

Reasoning With An Unreasonable King (1 Samuel 24:1-22)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Sep 9, 2024

David's journey to the throne seemed to stop when he found himself in a cave hiding from King Saul's army. David had an opportunity to kill Saul. However, he handled it in a way that demonstrated both his godly character and leadership.

We have followed the life of David from the time where he was a shepherd boy tending the flocks of his family to the battlefields of Israel. He has matured from a boy into a man, killing a giant, winning the heart of the nation, and developing into a man of God. He had reached the pinnacles of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-22, 1 Samuel 23:14, Romans 12:19-21, Proverbs 16:7

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Jesus: The Treaure And The Pearl Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 6, 2002

Jesus used the metaphors of treasure and a pearl to indicate the value of the Kingdom and lifestyle that He came to implement. If the Kingdom is everything that he said it was, we should not stop until we know what it is and how we can find it.

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme Opening Statement: Today, we all have our search. If you are a normal human being, you are engaged in some kind search or quest this morning. It may be a place, a person, a purchase, a dream, an experience, a position, an achievement, or your first million, but it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Church: Many Parts, One Body

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Bob Aquino on Apr 7, 2011

Paul could very well have used this motto in 1 Corinthians 12 in his description of the church as the body of Christ. He uses the physical human body as a metaphor for the church, an analogy to explain how the church is designed to function in the purpose

If you Pull a dollar bill out of your wallet, or a coin from your pocket or change purse, and if you look carefully you will find the Latin words E Pluribus Unum. It is the motto found on the Great Seal of the United States. It was originally chosen in 1776 by a committee of the Continental ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

What We Are Called To Be Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Jesus uses two metaphors to describe our influence in the world today. As salt, we are to make people thirsty for Jesus. As light, we have the privilege of pointing people to the true light of the world. Our challenge is to make sure we are “out of the

What We’re Called to Be Rev. Brian Bill 2/11/01 A Peanuts cartoon showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown in which she said, “Guess what, Chuck? The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.” Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong Model Of Leadership

Contributed by Ruel Camia on Apr 15, 2007

Intro: 1. Most common metaphor use of Biblical leaders is that of the shepherd a. Many people adopt versions of distorted wordly models for leadership b. Many are not even aware of them 2. We will look at several distorted models for leadership

Title: Inadequate Models for Leadership Purpose: To motivate the church to abandon worldly models of leadership Intro: 1. Most common metaphor use of Biblical leaders is that of the shepherd a. Many people adopt versions of distorted wordly models for leadership b. Many are not even ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Knows When You’re Done

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 31, 2011

Instead of Epraim depending on God for stability He formed alliances with the people instead of him being a shepherd he became as sheep. The "cake not turned" was burnt on one side and raw on the other. A metaphor for just how mixed up their lives were.

God Knows When You’re Done Hosea 7:8 The idea is of a “half-baked” cake. In that day, bread was often prepared as a cake that was cooked on both sides, something like a pancake. In thinking they can serve both the Lord and idols, Israel is like an unturned pancake - burned on one side, uncooked ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 7:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Helmet Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 16, 2014

The helmet is a metaphor for protecting the mind. The Apostle Paul wants us to guard our thoughts. If the devil can tamper with our thoughts, he can meddle with our lives. How we perceive Christ and His teachings affects all of life.

While conducting a raid in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, a US Marine platoon received incoming sniper fire. One of the Marines was struck in the head and the bullet bounced off his Kevlar helmet. He assured his fellow Marines he was unhurt except for some ringing in his ears, and they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Congregational