Sermons on Metaphors:

Diving Into Baptism

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jun 5, 2016

A look at the day John Baptized Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus It’s just confusing. We all know the story of John the Baptist, and we know the story of Jesus and we even know the point where the two stories intercept. And that’s where it gets confusing. There are two things we know that seem to muddy the water, so to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Gideon And His God Were Soon Forgotten By An Ungrateful Israel [judges 8.33-8.35] Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 18, 2019

It seems that as soon as Gideon was dead that they put off the worship of Jehovah God and turned to worship foreign gods; particularly, the local Baal gods.

Chapter 36 Gideon and his God Were Soon Forgotten By an Ungrateful Israel [Judges 8.33-8.35] Scripture 33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. 34 And the children of Israel ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:33-35

Denomination: Baptist

United In Christ Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Oct 7, 2024

Unity is not based on cultural, social, or political similarities but rather on our shared identity in Jesus—sinners saved by grace. We are called to elevate Jesus above our differences and work together as one body, reflecting God's love and bringing hope to a divided world.

### **Introduction** Video Ill.: May We Be One — Floodgate Productions David wrote in Psalm 133: 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23, Ephesians 2:11-22, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Fruitful Series

Contributed by Jonathan Giles on Jun 27, 2022

The divine design is for man to steward creation. Nothing's changed.

The Lord was not mistaken when he put man in the Garden of Eden and he said, 'tend and keep it'. The divine design of creation is perfect. For all the problems we have, the answer is to return to the Lord and His ways. The word says covetousness is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5) We ...read more

The Storm Before The Calm

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Apr 4, 2021

The storm before the calm. Normally we hear this said the other way around. Though there are times when there is the calm before the storm, in the case of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the storm came before the calm.

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM The storm before the calm. Normally we hear this said the other way around. Though there are times when there is the calm before the storm, in the case of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the storm came before the calm. 1) The crucifixion-the storm. The storm ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54, Psalm 83:14-16, John 20:10-20, John 14:27, Job 30:22, 1 Peter 1:3-7, 1 Corinthians 15:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The World System's Utopian Fantasies & The Resistance Awaiting A Better World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 5, 2021

One may browse through a hundred news articles a day or reflect on the situations facing humanity with great trembling. And one may reflect back upon history to consider how history repeats itself.

I'd like to arrange several elements which we'll reference during this reflection. We'll be referencing sources including Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, the novels 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, an obscure Walt Disney film from 1979 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:13

Denomination: Salvation Army

4th Sunday Of Easter, Year B. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2021

APRIL 21st, 2024.

Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18. (A) HEALING, RESURRECTION, AND SALVATION. Acts 4:5-12. There is a parallel between the persecution of Jesus upon the healing of a man ‘blind from birth’ (John 9:1), and the persecution of Peter and John upon the healing of a man ‘lame ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23:1-6, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

02 Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on May 5, 2025

The Spirit gives us a new identity, a new vitality, and a new destiny.

Have you ever gotten into your car, ready to roll, turned the key — or pressed the button — and all you get is *click*? Or maybe a weak turnover. Or maybe nothing at all. No engine. No movement. Just silence. This happened just a few weeks ago out in the church parking lot. I noticed a vehicle ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Protective Mother

Contributed by Troy Borst on May 7, 2025

We honor the women who have sheltered us. We thank the ones who clucked, and cried, and charged, and comforted.

A PROTECTIVE MOTHER Exodus 2:1-4 #MothersDay INTRODUCTION… Famous Mothers Today is Mother’s Day! It is a day to honor those women in our lives who have made an eternal difference. Maybe it was the woman who gave birth to you, but it also may be an aunt, a sister, or another dear woman who has ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Confidence And Indecision

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 23, 2025

Series on Philippians

Title: “Confidence and Indecision” Script: Phil. 1:19-26 Type: Expos. Series Where: GNBC 5-25-25 Intro: “Confidence and Indecision” go together about as well as “cats and dogs”. If the apostle was a fan of 1980’s rock music he probably would have said that strangely, “The Clash” most ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

To Be Or Not To Be Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 24, 2025

Paul tells the Colossians they were dead. But what did he mean by dead? And how do we know if we are spiritually dead?

The quality of mercy is not strain'd. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. That, of course, was from the Merchant of Venice, which I studied in grade 11. Do they still teach Shakespear in High ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-23, Colossians 2:13

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Makes Me Good Enough

Contributed by Lewis Martin on May 24, 2025

Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I good enough?” Good enough to be accepted. Good enough to belong. Good enough—for God.

"What Makes Me Good Enough?" Have you ever asked yourself, “Am I good enough?” Good enough to be accepted. Good enough to belong. Good enough—for God. Most of us try to answer that question by performing. We stay busy. We work hard. We try to do the right things, avoid the wrong ones, and ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:13-17, Galatians 2:11-21

Denomination: Nazarene

A Place Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 17, 2023

God created every person on purpose and put us in a place to live out His purposes.

Our perspective is important when seeking to understand something. I like the feature on Google Earth which provides a panoramic view, or the big picture of our world and then allows you to zoom in to the exact address you are looking for. The first chapter of Genesis, along with the first three ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

06 Joy In Pressing On Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 19, 2025

Bottomline: Joy flourishes when we press on for heaven’s hope, not earthly glory.

We’ve been walking through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, exploring what it means to have defiant joy—a joy that flourishes regardless of circumstances because it is anchored in Christ. Each week, we’ve uncovered different aspects of this joy: Week 1: Joy flourishes when we share in God’s ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Psalm 34:1-6 - Part 2 - Radiant Faces Have Looked To The Mighty God Of Deliverance Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 26, 2025

There is coming a day when in the Lord’s presence, a holy radiance will be upon His redeemed and their/our faces will shine with His radiance. Our faces can do that now. This message investigates that and many great aspects also from praise to fear. Deliverance and gratitude.

PSALM 34:1-6 - PART 2 - RADIANT FACES HAVE LOOKED TO THE MIGHTY GOD OF DELIVERANCE [1]. INTRODUCTION In the last message we spent time on the setting for this Psalm, set deep in David’s experience with Achish the king of Gath. The lives of God’s people spread out over the journey of a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:3-6, Psalm 120:1, Psalm 69:14, Psalm 22:20-21, 1 John 4:17-18, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Luke 9:26, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 25:23, 1 Corinthians 3:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational