Sermons on Metaphors:

Five Insights The ‘bride Of Christ’ Analogy Gives

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2019

The "bride of Christ" analogy is one that can be difficult. Looking at several of the New Testament passages referencing that, this sermon unpacks five ideas about the church being the "bride of Christ."

- Beautiful but opaque analogy of the church as the bride of Christ. What does that mean? - That nature and frequency of analogies in the Bible. - The Bible often uses similar analogies as word pictures of who we are. A few examples: a. The branch. - In John 15 Jesus refers to Himself as the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus Grumpy?

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jul 3, 2019

Those who wanted to follow Christ were told to follow him and not even burry their dead. This sermon explores how Jesus called to deeper discipleship.

Grumpy Jesus: Feelings and Focus Have you ever been grumpy? I don't mean mere frustration; I mean, have you ever been in a place where no one could do anything right? Maybe you haven’t, but I bet you can notice it in other people. That sounds a lot like Jesus in Today's Gospel reading. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Episcopal

The Day Of Pentecost: Unified Diversity

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Jul 3, 2019

The Holy Spirit can heal the factions among us and bring us into unity with God and others. Then our mission is liberated because our focus is on Jesus's great commission​.

Pentecost: Unified Diversity Sermon by The Rev. Rian Adams Pentecost is a strange day on the church calendar because we want to celebrate, but the Acts reading about speaking in tongues and erratic spiritual experiences is a little unsettling. I’ve learned that if we talk too often about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

Come In Faith, Believing

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 17, 2018

What four words would Jesus use to describe you?

William (Bill) E. Gordon, Baptist pastor and author has this to say about the breadth of faith: “Atheists have faith — faith that there is no God, no place of everlasting punishment in the hereafter. Animals possess faith; they display the utmost faith in their masters, as do children in their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Other

Jesus Is God's Answer Sermon Viii: Staying Connected To Jesus For Purposeful Living Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jan 6, 2020

No one can honestly say he is a Christian "just because". Becoming and being a Christian require a reason and a response: Sinners in need of a Savior who is Christ the Lord must accept Him as such and stay connected to Him.

STAYING CONNECTED TO JESUS FOR PURPOSEFUL LIVING The best time of year to visit Palestine is when fig trees, olive trees, and grape vines are at the height of their new growth. Everywhere you go, you see beautiful landscapes - orchards in the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Encouraged To Endure Sermon Iii: Enduring In Anti-Christian Environments Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 7, 2020

In these days when anti-Christian rhetoric and actions have become viral, Christians are encouraged to remain faithful and true to godly principles and lifestyles - whether it be in the sacred or secular realms of responsibility.

Enduring As Christians in Anti-Christian Environments Christian woman flies out of Sudan, meets Pope . . . (Headline July 24, 2014): “A Sudanese woman sentenced to death for converting from Islam to Christianity walked off the plane cradling her ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-21

Answer Time Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on May 16, 2020

an exposition of 1 Peter 13 preached during the Corona Virus Lockdown on 2020

[A number of members of the congregation give some mini-testimonies of why Jesus, church and prayer are important to them] Fr Mund: Today’s passage is a really beautiful one - and a really difficult one. It is so rich, so full of so many themes, so much depth, that is really hard to pick out what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Anglican

Sunny Side Sermon Vi: How We Wish It Were Not So, But It Is Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Jul 1, 2020

In our fallen world, Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour - which means that mature disciples of Christ must of necessity have a battle plan for dealing with the threats Satan constantly hurls at us.

HOW WE WISH IT WERE NOT SO, BUT IT IS! When tragedy strikes, whether personal as when a loved one loses his life in an accident, or national as was the horrific massacre in Las Vegas, how we wish it were not so! As ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

God's Call (Part 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 18, 2021

What is our call to? What does the call of some early disciples teach us about our call from God? We will learn that our call is first and foremost to a change of heart, to believe. We will look at the call of Simon, Andrew, James and John in Mark 1:14-20.

Prelude: What is our call to? What does the call of some early disciples teach us about our call from God? Purpose: We will learn that our call is first and foremost to a change of heart, to believe. Plan: We will look at the call of Simon, Andrew, James and John in Mark 1:14-20. The Gospel Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Baptist

Get Out Of The Boat: Finding Faith In Fearful Times

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Sep 14, 2020

When Peter stepped out of the boat in faith

Get out of the boat: Finding Faith in Fearful Times Proper 14 This story is one of those few times in the Gospels, where the disciples are not with Jesus. Matthew says that Jesus told the disciples to get in a boat and go to the other side of the sea of Galilee while he went to pray and rest. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Episcopal

Are You Properly Attired? - Sermon For Proper 23 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Oct 6, 2020

This sermon seeks to explore what it means to wear the wedding garments, and how choosing to wear them requires commitment regardless of what is happening in our lives.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Over the past few weeks, we have been working through a number of challenging parables in Matthews Gospel, and we are again faced with another this morning. There are definitely two parts to this parable, the first mirrors the concepts of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Anglican

Alleluia!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 18, 2020

Now begins the rejoicing. The good news for a grieving world is near. Revelation 19 begins with praise for God and joy that this world’s corrupt ways, symbolically referred to as Babylon and the beast, have finally ended.

Now begins the rejoicing. The good news for a grieving world is near. Revelation 19 begins with praise for God and joy that this world’s corrupt ways, symbolically referred to as Babylon and the beast, have finally ended. Revelation 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The River Of Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Apr 9, 2022

The river of life is said to represent God's life-giving presence.

Jeffrey R. Anderson, author of ”The Nature Of Things - Navigating Everyday Life With Grace.” once remarked: "The river is one of my favourite metaphors, the symbol of the great flow of Life Itself. The river begins at Source, and returns to Source, unerringly.” Revelation 22:1 confirms: ...read more

Scripture: John 7:38-39, Ezekiel 47:9, Isaiah 44:3, Revelation 7:17

The Branch Of Motherhood (Mother's Day, May 14, 2017).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Motherhood is a stewardship that leaves its mark.

THE BRANCH OF MOTHERHOOD Text: John 15:1-8 How can we relate Mother’s Day to today’s text, John 15:1 – 8? We can relate Motherhood to today’s text by thinking of Motherhood as a branch on the Vine that Jesus is talking about. A vine in the words of Jesus serves as a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: United Methodist

The Crying Of The Wolf At Midnight

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 30, 2021

There is a crying in the night. A quiet lament of the soul. You can sense it at three in the morning, and the hour of the wolf is upon you. All the thoughts of life and the daily parade rumble through like a freight train.

There is a crying in the night. A quiet lament of the soul. You can sense it at three in the morning, and the hour of the wolf is upon you. All the thoughts of life and the daily parade rumble through like a freight train. Looking out the window, all is dark. But something compels you to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Salvation Army