Sermons on Metaphors:

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

Uncovering The Unseen Realm: Our Role As Believers Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on May 9, 2025

We accept the existence of things we cannot see, like gravity, wind, or radio waves. In the same way, there is a spiritual reality just as real, Yet most Christians say that Satan is just a metaphor of evil; the same with the demonic realm.

Uncovering the Unseen Realm: Our Role as Believers January 5, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Ephesians 6:10-17 2 Kings 6:15-17 Introduction: The Reality Beyond the Veil Good morning, church. Today, we step into a realm that few talk about but all of us are affected by—the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:15-17

Denomination: Brethren

The Broken Vine: A Prayer For Revival Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 15, 2025

This psalm is a desperate prayer for national revival, using the powerful metaphor of a broken vine to teach us that true restoration comes only when we cry out for God to turn our hearts back to Himself and restore His favor.

Introduction: When the Blessing is Broken There is a special kind of pain that comes from seeing something that was once beautiful and thriving fall into ruin. We see it in a family that was once close but is now fractured by conflict. We see it in a business that was once prosperous but is now ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living Uncompromisingly For Christ Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Dec 28, 2025

In Bible times, salt was precious. It preserved food from decay and added flavour. Light, on the other hand, dispelled darkness and revealed what was hidden. Jesus intentionally chose these metaphors to describe the influence believers must have in a fallen world.

LIVING UNCOMPROMISINGLY FOR CHRIST – Being Salt and Light in a Fallen Generation By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Matthew 5:13-16 Supporting Text: Philippians 2:15 OPENING PRAYER Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of gathering in Your presence. We acknowledge You as the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

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

My Hearts Longs For Something Greater: Eternity In The Human Heart & The Emptiness Of Gorged Sensuality

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

All of life is filled with parables and metaphors that point to the meta-narrative of existence. The four seasons are laced with it. Media, movies, books, and stories are filled with expressions of the longings of our hearts. We long for a place we've never been.

All of life is filled with parables and metaphors that point to the meta-narrative of existence. The four seasons are laced with it. Media, movies, books, and stories are filled with expressions of the longings of our hearts. We long for a place we've never been. We desire a home we've ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19, John 6:44

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

I Thirst

Contributed by Ken Henson on Apr 17, 2014

Water is a thematic element in the Gospel of John. Jesus baptised in it, turned it to wine, used it as a metaphor of life, used it to heal, walked on it, and washed His disciples feet with water. Yet on the cross He needed water, and He got none.

I Thirst In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The first order of creation, even before God proclaimed, “let there be light”, there ...read more

Scripture: John 19:18

Denomination: *other

Fitting In

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Feb 13, 2011

comedian Lenny Bruce gives our Christian psychology a metaphorical cattle prod shock when he said, “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.’” I suspect it has a lot to do with fitting in.

“Fitting In” John 17:11-19 I read the prologue to a story called Girl in the Middle. The girl is Kim Satinsky who is in eighth grade. She says, “You would think that being in a clique is fun but take my word for it: It’s not. They make me wear expensive things when I’m not really rich and tell me ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Salvation Army

Abundance

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jan 5, 2011

ur God is a God of abundance. Here Jesus is using a metaphor of Himself being a shepherd over sheep. Moreover, the sheep that listen, follow and stay in His presence will always have pasture. (Abundance) Here Jesus is speaking about a good shepherd in con

Abundance John 10: 9-11 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Blessings Of Hardships

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Aug 26, 2019

Jesus said he came to, "send fire on the earth." This sermon takes a unique approach on this idea and uses the fire metaphor as a purging of the things inside us that hinder us from becoming who we can be through God.

The Blessing of Hardships Since this Gospel reading is intense, I thought I’d begin by admitting something kind of funny about it. When I read it this week, I pictured Jesus at a Charlie Daniels concert singing, “Fire on the mountain run boys run.” It also made me wonder, “… how am I supposed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Episcopal

The Anchor Of The Soul

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 21, 2025

Using the metaphor of a ship caught in a violent tempest, this sermon introduces the Christian hope found in Hebrews 6 as a "sure and stedfast" heavenly anchor for the soul, providing an unshakeable foundation during life's storms of anxiety, grief, and uncertainty.

Sermon: The Anchor of the Soul Text: Hebrews 6:17-20 I want you to imagine for a moment a small vessel upon the great and mighty sea. The sun is bright, the water is like glass, and the journey is pleasant. But as any mariner will tell you, the sea is a fickle master. Without warning, the sky can ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

Stepping Into The New Year

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Dec 30, 2025

The literal suggestion to "refresh yourself" can be viewed as a metaphor for our spiritual life. Often, we seek refreshment and rejuvenation in worldly comforts or recognition, which may momentarily satisfy but do not truly fulfill the deeper needs of our soul.

1. REFRESH YOUR HEART 1 Kings 13:7 "The king said to the man of God, ‘Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.’" In this narrative, King Jeroboam attempts to entice the man of God, who has just challenged the idolatrous practices at Bethel, with hospitality ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:7, Psalm 51:10, Isaiah 43:18-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational