Sermons on Metaphors:

Lesson 9: Preach A Children's Sermon Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 11, 2018

Children's sermons

Lesson Goal The purpose of this sermon is to encourage the use of quality children's sermons. Lesson Intro Jesus' ministry is famous for his allowing little children to come to him (Matthew 19:14; Luke 18:17), mentioning specifically the advantage children have over adults in receiving the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 17: Expound A Chapter Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2018

Expound a Bible Chapter

Lesson Goal In this lesson I want to encourage the exposition of a whole chapter or a similar larger passage of Scripture. Lesson Intro Sometimes stepping back and getting a broader view of things, provides perspective and insight that getting lost in details does not. Lesson Plan In this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Equipped For Battle

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 4, 2017

Message interprets Paul’s instruction for spiritual warfare in the light of what he has already said in the first five chapters of the epistle. Sermon believers see the practical application of how to take the full armor of God and live victoriously.

Equipped for Battle Ephesian 6:10-20 (NKJV) Life Church 11-01-15 This is not a full manuscript but gives highlights of the sermon. The message is an expository verse-by-verse discussion. Vs 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Begins with word ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Are You Afraid?

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jul 5, 2017

Do you feel God’s presence and love in the midst of the storms in your life?

Storm-tossed waters are a frequently used metaphor for the turmoil of living. In 1975, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald went down, and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot recorded a haunting ballad in honor of and as a tribute to the ship and the men who lost their lives. He called it “The Wreck of the Edmund ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Other

It Is Good For Us To Be Here!

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 2, 2019

On the Mount of Transfiguration Peter said "It is good for us to be here". He misunderstood, but he was so right!

It Is Good For Us To Be Here Matthew 17:1-8 Introduction Long ago David rejoiced to worship God. “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. (Psalm 122:1, KJV). Thom Rainer asked ministers in a poll what excuses they had heard from people who choose not to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sixth Sunday In Ordinary Time - 6th Sunday, Year A-- The Fence

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 20, 2020

Jesus builds a shield around the law or Commandments in order to create more space and distance so that we won’t even bump up against the fence or sit on the fence, but rather keep a healthy distance.

There was a large group of people. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side of the group stood Satan. Separating them, running through the group, was a fence. The scene was set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one - each having made up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-37

Denomination: Catholic

Encouraged To Endure Sermon Vii: Focus On The Wonder Of It All Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

When feeling discouraged about schemes of the wicked in a world of disappointments and discombobulation, focus on God's Grand Scheme for His people --- and the wonder of it all will be therapeutic and elicit praise.

The Wonder of It All Is Worthy of Praise by All! Widely known as the leading theologian of the 20th Century, Karl Barth was asked to summarize years of research and volumes of writings, and he responded: “Jesus loves me, this I know, ...read more

The Choice To Follow God - More Than A Political Ad

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Feb 21, 2020

God gives us a promise - that we have the right to choose. But the choice isn't simple, we can choose life or choose death.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 NRSV 30:15 See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. 30:16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the LORD your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

After God's Own Heart

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 24, 2020

Let’s think about King David and why he is called ‘a man after God’s own heart”. What qualities of David led to that designation? How can we be more like David when he was at his best - and avoid the dangers of being like him at his worst?

How to Be a Person After God’s Own Heart Introduction The human heart weighs less than a pound. It beats 100,000 times a day. Without your heart your body would quickly cease to work. Jesus spoke a great deal about the heart. The heart is a metaphor for the inner life. It is the seat of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral Message

Contributed by Brian Bill on Dec 17, 2022

Our earthly life will end. Eternal life will be never-ending.

On Saturday, Michael spent most of the night praying for Margo when she was struggling. She couldn’t really talk but would mouth the words, “I love you” to him. Early in the morning, Michael reached for his Bible and the passage that came up on the screen was from 2 Corinthians 5:1-5. He read it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Abide In Me, Living The Resurrection Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on May 1, 2021

We are practicing this abiding in Christ as we worship together with the hope that it will continue after the benediction is pronounced and the postlude ends.

Like the good shepherd of last week’s text, this week’s image of the vine is another extended metaphor, which also borrows from and adapts Old Testament imagery for Israel. Whereas the Synoptic parable of the vineyard is a story of violence and greed (Mark 12:1-12), this image of the vine is one ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

Rebellion And Rest

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2024

The psalmist looks back at Israel’s history. He tells us that He wants us to hearken to His voice. Specifically, we must not harden our hearts.

The Rebellion in the Desert, and in Our Hearts The New Year 2024 is just a few days old, but one thing is pretty clear to me. Although we live on the juncture between two cities that each have noise and anti-fireworks ordinances, everyone agrees that the fireworks explosions heard as the old year ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9, Hebrews 4:8-10

Denomination: Catholic

You Need A Hospital, Not A Welcome Center

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jan 13, 2024

Zechariah 8:23 gives a prophecy of people from every nation seeking after God's People to find out about the Lord. This image gives a wonderful picture of what the church needs to be, a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints.

You Need a Hospital, Not a Welcome Center Good Morning. This morning, we are looking at the idea of what the church is supposed to be. Is it an organization which shows unconditional affirmation to everyone, now matter what they believe or want to do, or is it a people who, despite our weakness, ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:23, Mark 1:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Pebble In The Shoe

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 15, 2024

Our kickoff of 2024 theme of "Spiritual Conversation." What the point is and how to have a Spiritual Conversation.

Pebble In Their Shoe (2 Tim. 4:1-5) Intro: A. I had a wonderful time with Gidel, the preacher from Hanover is past week. We met in my office to talk, have some coffee, pray and share. It was great. He taught me something about vision and prayer. He told me he wanted to get more chairs for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:16-21, John 6:60-71, 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Treasure & The Loving Guard

Contributed by Ken Henson on Jun 12, 2019

A combination of two Devotionals on Proverbs 2:1-8. Wisdom calls out like a lover inviting her beloved, and God, our Lover, promises to protect us, to guard us from harm, through His wisdom.

Proverbs Chapter 2 1. My son, if you accept my words and treat my commands as treasures 2. So that you pay attention with your ear to wisdom and bend your heart to understanding 3. If you say “YES!” to discernment, and call out with your voice for understanding 4. If you seek her like silver and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 2:1-8

Denomination: *other