Sermons on metaphors: showing 151-165 of 6,191

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: Independent/Bible

Spiritual Growth And Learning Is A Life-Long Adventure

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Jun 1, 2021

No matter what your age spiritual growth and learning is for a lifetime. The more you investigate the more you will want to learn more.

Parables can take on many different interpretations. One way to examine this parable is that Yeshua was talking about spiritual growth. Yeshua met many people during His ministry, and they immediately followed Him. Why? They determined that Yeshua was the Messiah that the LORD had promised to His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Divided Spiritual House Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 20, 2023

In the New Testament, faith is described in terms of housing from the foundations to the walls to even the cornerstone, to describe the spiritual reality of having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE Divided Spiritual House LUKE 11:14-23 #justJesus INTRODUCTION… Metaphor (p) A metaphor is “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.” Metaphors are images and symbolic language ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:14-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

The importance of the role of the Holy Spirit is extolled as an additional and vital empirical tool. Empiricism limited to only perception through sight, sound, smell, taste and touch falls short of the epistemological opportunities afforded us by God.

(If you have found this sermon helpful, please visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) It should not be misconstrued that Christians believe in three gods. God is one. The Creator Father, the Redeemer Son, and the Counselor Holy Spirit are three manifestations ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Denomination: United Methodist

Troubling Issues

Contributed by John Mccormack on May 31, 2014

LIVING IN GOD'S PROMISES

TROUBLING ISSUES OBSERVATION: THE PROPHET, JEREMIAH, QUESTIONS TROUBLING ISSUES IN HIS LIFE. THE LORD RESPONDS TO HIS ISSUES USING TWO METAPHORS. A METAPHOR IS A WORD OR PHRASE COMPARING TWO UNLIKE OBJECTS, IDEAS, THOUGHTS OR FEELING TO GIVE CLEARER UNDERSTANDING. INTERPRETATION: JEREMIAH ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection C.6 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Waves?!

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 27, 2020

Matthew, Mark and Luke have a lot in common. But only Luke mentions waves in connection with 'End Times'. It sounds strange. But perhaps it isn't.

Luke 21:25 says the following: And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves… The first part of the verse has a parallel in Matthew and Mark: ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25

Denomination: Baptist

"Hope Is Always The "Soup Of The Day.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Mar 8, 2002

March 17, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 With the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. (Ps. 130:6-7) Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Color: Purple Title: “Hope is always the “soup of the day.” Ezekiel 37:1-14

March 17, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 With the LORD there is mercy and plenteous redemption. (Ps. 130:6-7) Romans 8:6-11 John 11:1-45 Color: Purple Title: “Hope is always the “soup of the day.” Ezekiel 37:1-14 Verses one to ten, describe a vision. Ezekiel is taken by the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Sacrifices

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jul 17, 2002

This is the 6th sermon in a series on Paul’s letter to the Romans. The problem with living sacrifices is they keep getting down off the altar.

“living sacrifices” Now that’s an interesting turn of phrase. It sounds like an oxymoron. Living and sacrifice don’t really seem like they go together, do they? When I think of the word ‘sacrifice’, certain images come to mind. I think of a play made in baseball, where one player is tagged out ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

God is our Shepherd, we are the sheep of his flock. Psalm 23 contains great promises for where we are going when life on earth is over. But it also gives a tremendous promise of comfort: On our journey God is always with us.

[Sermon preached on 15 April 2018, 2nd Sunday after Easter (Good Shepherd Sunday) / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] We all have the need to think and talk about God in a more or less concrete way. Considering that God is a mystery deeper than the deepest ocean and vaster than the universe, that is ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Ye Have Heard That It Was Said...

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 4, 2022

Jesus corrects scribal misunderstandings of Scripture, entering into the spirit of what lies behind the Law.

YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID… Matthew 5:21-37. I). BUT I SAY UNTO YOU... Matthew 5:21-26. 1. In His recent wilderness struggles with the enemy, Jesus used the formula ‘It stands written’ in reply to each temptation (Matthew 4:4-10). The Word of God is its own authority against the wiles of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shepherd's Promise

Contributed by Dean Rhine on Jun 19, 2018

God promises to be with us

Psalm 23 - Part 4 - 2/5/11 Turn with me this morning to Psalm 23. If you open your bible right in the middle, you probably will land somewhere in the Psalms or just a little right of the Psalms. We are going to continue on looking at this Psalm that has been a source of comfort and blessing to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The "second Coming" Of Our Lord

Contributed by Byron Perrine on Jul 9, 2019

This sermon incorporates and adapts “The Parable of the Ten Virgins—A Picture of the Second Coming”, a sermon by Joseph Wallis, Sermon Central, Jan. 2002, to whom credit is hereby acknowledged.

(We invite you to visit us at www.HeritageRestorationProject.org or www.ChristianWisdom.info) The prophecy of the Second Coming of Jesus is often either misunderstood by Christians themselves, or, the object of derision and ridicule among non-Christians. And yet, it is one of the most important ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist

How The Human Spirit Should Function Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 11, 2023

What is the difference between the human soul and spirit? Message deals with the condition of an unbeliever's spirit and the importance of a spiritual resurrection. In a believer, how is one's spirit to function in relationship with God and in relationship with the soul?

Intro We have completed a brief study in how to maintain a pure conscience. As a follow-up to that, I want to talk about “Caring for Your Spirit.” What do we need to do to maintain a strong, active spirit that is in communion with God and functioning effectively? How is the human spirit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Psalm 116:15, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 6:17, John 4:24, Galatians 5:16-25, Hebrews 2:15, 1 John 2:29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic