Sermons on Metaphorical Cave:

"the Strength Of The Ox."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on May 15, 2024

Beloved, the ox is a metaphor for a pastor's need for freedom to lead and expand the Church's impact. Working together in unity and harmony as one body, we can make a substantial difference in our community by spreading love, hope, and kindness to those in need.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Proverbs 14:4) “Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.” (Proverbs 15:17) “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (1 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:4, Proverbs 15:17, 1 Timothy 5:18, Luke 9:62, Hosea 10:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Serving The Lord

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 27, 2025

What does Luke 10:17-24 mean? It cannot be taken literally. Understanding the metaphors and culture of Jesus' day explains everything. Going out to spread the Gospel is a major part of discipleship. When one is doing this Christ is with the person through the Holy Spirit

Serving the Lord Luke 10:17-24 Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz Luke 10:17 Now the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!” 18 And He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 “Behold, I have given you authority to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:17-24

Denomination: United Methodist

Worthless Clouds Without Water Carried By The Changing Winds –jude 1 Verse 12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Jude continues his description of the false teachers using metaphors to describe them. This follow on from hidden reefs and we now have empty clouds without water, useless in promise and leaving bitter failure. Many people are left hurt, and without hope, and fleeced and betrayed.

WORTHLESS CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER CARRIED BY THE CHANGING WINDS –Jude 1 verse 12 In our last message we were looking at these false teachers Jude was battling when he urged his readers to contend for the faith. They had to be positive, and a lazy and don’t care less approach would achieve nothing. ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, Ezekiel 34:1-8, Zechariah 11:15-17, Acts 20:28-30, Deuteronomy 32:9-10, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Corinthians 12:25, Ephesians 4:14, John 4:13-15, John 7:37-38, Hebrews 10:22, James 3:11-12, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Still Small Voice

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 1, 2017

What do you do when you've lost your vision, your passion, and your walk with God? Elijah got there and went back to where he knew he could find God. He found God and got back all he'd lost, at the same cave Moses saw God's glory!

THE STILL SMALL VOICE 1 Kgs. 19:1-18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. I’ve found that it pays to get along with your wife. As an example of this, a man was tired of living with his wife. 2. There seemed to be no way he could get away from her verbal harangues. At last he got so desperate that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go! And… Trust Him When God Is Silent - Psalm 13:1–6 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 13, 2025

Have you ever prayed… and it felt like your words bounced off the ceiling? You’ve pleaded, wept, even shouted, yet the heavens seemed shut. King David knew that feeling. He was anointed king, yet hunted like a criminal. God had promised him the throne, yet he was hiding in caves.

Go! And… Trust Him When God Is Silent - Psalm 13:1–6 Introduction — When Heaven Feels Quiet Silence can be deafening. Have you ever prayed… and it felt like your words bounced off the ceiling? You’ve pleaded, wept, even shouted, yet the heavens seemed shut. King David knew that feeling. He was ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6, Isaiah 41:10, John 11:5-6, Habakkuk 3:17-18, Matthew 27:46  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Soul For Sale

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jun 3, 2009

In America, you can metaphorically and literally sell your soul and be rewarded for it. One wonders how the purchaser intended to collect. We can’t literally sell our soul, but we can lose our soul to gain something else. We need to ponder Jesus’ question

Opening illustration: One would think that selling one’s soul, as Faust offered his to the devil in Goethe’s Dr. Faustus, is only a figment of literary fiction. Medieval as it seems, however, several cases of soul-selling have occurred. Wired magazine reported that a 29-year-old university ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

While God May Be Found (July 17, 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 15, 2022

Who would argue against the understanding that we live in a day when many take God for granted? One thing that eighth chapter of Amos makes clear is that moving away from God invites destruction. The opening image of ripe fruit cuts to the chase as a metaphor for God’s judgement.

WHILE GOD MAY BE FOUND Texts: Isaiah 55:6, Amos 8:1- 2, 8:11- 12 Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Hime while He is near Amo 8:1 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2 And he said, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A basket of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6, Amos 8:1-2, Amos 8:11-12

Denomination: United Methodist

A Balm In Gilead

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jun 24, 2021

Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? Purpose: Why do we need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: Let’s look at how Jesus healing a woman and a little girl applies to us in Mark 5:21-43.

Intro Jeremiah suggested metaphorically that there was a balm in Gilead to heal sinful nations (Jeremiah 8:22; 46:11)? What or who is that balm? It's not Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment or McNess Krestol Salve. Purpose: Let’s understand why we and our world need the healing touch of Jesus. Plan: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Baptist

Lot – Part 6 – A Lot Of Trouble For God – For Abraham – And For Himself – Genesis 19 Lot’s Reprobate And Fallen Corrupt Nature - Incest Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Nov 14, 2022

One of the most difficult passages in the bible - Lot and his daughters commit incest, and Lot is drunk. All horrible sensuality on display. Then I look at why the New Testament calls Lot righteous, which thing I can not see, but the opposite I do see.

LOT – PART 6 – A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR GOD – FOR ABRAHAM – AND FOR HIMSELF – GENESIS 19 LOT’S REPROBATE AND FALLEN CORRUPT NATURE - INCEST THE INCESTUOUS ACCOUNT – GENESIS 19 VERSES 30 - 38 This is the last message in the series on Lot. In a number of ways doing the life of Lot is instructive, but ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:30, Genesis 19:31-33, Genesis 19:34-35, Genesis 19:36-38, 2 Peter 2:14-16, Jude 1:11, 2 Peter 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Message In Jude – The Enoch Passage – Jude 1 V 13-16 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 24, 2022

This message today will be in 4 sections and they will be - The “wandering stars” or “comets”; “The Book of Enoch”; “The Second Coming”; “the ungodly”. The ground covered will be most interesting though it is so diverse. This account so relevant to us right now.

MESSAGE IN JUDE – THE ENOCH PASSAGE – Jude 1 v 13-16 We are steadily working through the book of Jude who was the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is defending the faith being destroyed by false teachers. Much of his letter is spent exposing these reprobate men who preach false doctrine ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:13-16, Revelation 6:1, Matthew 24:27-31, Matthew 24:37-39, Revelation 19:11-21, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, 2 Peter 3:7, Colossians 4:6, Titus 2:12-14, Romans 5:6, 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Revelation 22:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Escaping Your Prison Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 2, 2020

As Christians we're supposed to live a different life than those around us. But how can we do that when we're surrounded with so many temptations to do things we know we shouldn't do?

Back in the 14th century, in the region we now call Belgium, there was a duke by the name of Raynald III. Raynald had a nickname – Crassus. Crassus means fat, and he was fat because he really liked to eat. He liked to EAT … a lot! In the course of time, he had a violent quarrel with his younger ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Psalm 57

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 21, 2010

Psalm 57 (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Psalm 57 verses 1-11 Ill: • England’s most famous outlaw, has to be the legendary hero of the 12th-century; • The courteous, swashbuckling outlaw Robin Hood. • Who, in modern versions of the legend, • Is famous for his robbing the rich to feed the poor & ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 57:1-11

Denomination: Brethren

The Wild Man Series

Contributed by Byron Harvey on Jul 16, 2003

This is a message in a series I preached on Witnesses of Jesus Christ. Each message is preceded by a dramatic monologue, which is included.

Demoniac (Adapted from a drama originally performed by Curt Cloninger) “You go way from me. You go way from me. I know who you are, Jesus; I know who you are! You a holy man; You a holy man Don’t come up here by me; don’t come up here by me! No! No no no no no! Don’t come up here; don’t come ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Following God In The Midst Of Norhtern Kingdom Living

Contributed by Dan Morrison on Jul 12, 2002

Elijah’s response in the midst of Northern KIngdom Living

Following God in the midst of Northern Kingdom Living 1 Kings 17-19 Illustration: My experience is that many people do not live out of their relationship with God. They have believed God for salvation from hell, but not salvation in this life. Ask is there anyone that does not understand what I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praying In The Dark Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 4, 2025

When you’re rocked by life, make sure the Lord is your Rock.

Praying in the Dark Psalm 18 Rev. Brian Bill August 2-3, 2025 I needed GPS to find my way back up here today! Let me explain where I’ve been the last three weekends. A couple months months ago, I asked the deacons if I could take some time off from preaching to expend extra effort on future ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1-50

Denomination: Baptist