Sermons on Movie Metaphors:

When You Pray Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 30, 2016

This series is based on the movie, War Room. This lesson is a reminder of God's Expectation of our prayers. It is not, "If" but "When" we pray.

1. A few weeks ago I attended a conference put on by "Strategic Renewal." While I was there I purchased a T-shirt with the slogan, "Make the Church Great Again." Perhaps one of the ways God will make the church great again is through the prayers of His people. 2. We know that God is anxious to hear ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The River Leading To The Tree Of Life

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Mar 26, 2021

Sometimes I feel like we are a generation endlessly staring at the screen, watching movies and tv shows, and series, applauding at the entertainment.

"The Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard, tells a parable of a theater where a variety show is proceeding. Each show is more fantastic than the last, and is applauded by the audience. Suddenly the manager comes forward. He apologizes for the interruption, but the theater is on fire, and he begs ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-6

Denomination: Salvation Army

Seventeenth Sunday In Ordinary Time: Buried Treasure And Pearls

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 28, 2023

The main character spends the rest of the movie frantically trying to figure out what Curly meant. What IS that “just one thing?

In 1905, the world’s largest diamond, a 3,106-Carat Diamond called the Cullinan diamond, weighing over a pound and worth $2 Billion dollars, was found at the Thomas Cullinan Premier Diamond Mining Company in South Africa. Diamonds are forever, but, if you don’t own one, don’t feel bad; consider ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-12, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Catholic

The Wicked Tenants

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Oct 12, 2002

The Biblical metaphor of Jesus being the cornerstone which the builders rejected conveys the understanding that without Jesus we can do nothing (John 15:5).

THE WICKED TENANTS Text: Matthew 21:33-46 In modern day, we tend to think of a cornerstone as a stone that is inscribed and placed in the corner of the foundation of a building that marks the beginning of the building. The way that the Bible uses the word cornerstone means much more than ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: United Methodist

From Empty To Eagle

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2004

Funeral sermon for Henry L. Stewart, local resident, known as an amateur artist. The images of the four living creatures in Revelation become metaphors for the stages of life.

Some look at the earth, but never see the sky. Some see the sky, but never fly. But to some it is given to see and to fly. To some it is given to be an eagle, soaring with strength and power. But I must ask – do you know how empty the eagle is before he flies? From empty to eagle; do you know ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Living At Four Corners

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 16, 2009

Rewritten for Montgomery Hills Baptist Church: a Silver Spring intersection is a metaphor for priorities in giving, teaching young people, engaging in healing, and sharing the Gospel with all.

To be a Christian is to live in tension with the world around you. You cannot live out your spiritual life in a cocoon; you live it out in the real world, in a community. Some, it is true, go to convents or monasteries; but that’s not an option for most of us, is it? To be a Christian, living ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

And It Was Night

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 30, 2019

Metaphorically speaking, the clock is ticking away in the background. The countdown has begun. Gethsemane lies ahead: as does our Lord’s betrayal, trial and death.

AND IT WAS NIGHT. John 13:21-32. As the Lord’s ‘hour’ drew near that He should depart out of this world, He turned His attention more and more to ‘His own’ (John 13:1). After the foot-washing and the teaching which immediately followed it, Jesus “was troubled in spirit” (John 13:21). ...read more

Scripture: John 13:21-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Run To Get The Prize Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Oct 7, 2024

Paul was using a race metaphor the people of Corinth would immediately understand. Corinth was the home of the Isthmian Games – the city was full of athletes who were training.

Church in the City – 1st Corinthians 9 Run to Get the Prize October 6, 2024 Paul was using a race metaphor the people of Corinth would immediately understand. Corinth was the home of the Isthmian Games – the city was full of athletes who were training. 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV “Do you not know that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24, 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 3:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Growth And Learning Is A Life-Long Adventure

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Dec 6, 2022

The crops determine when the harvest will occur. If the crop is a metaphor for spiritual growth the harvest must never happen. Thus, spiritual growth can never stop.

Spiritual Growth and Learning is a Life-Long Adventure Mark 4:26-29 26 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who casts seed upon the soil; 27 and he goes to bed at night and gets up by day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know. 28 "The soil ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29

Denomination: United Methodist

Unity In Diversity: The Church As One Body SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Paul uses the metaphor of the human body to explain how the church is designed to function. Despite our differences, we are all part of one body in Christ.

If you take a dollar bill out of your wallet or a coin from your pocket, you may notice the Latin words "E Pluribus Unum." This motto, found on the Great Seal of the United States, was chosen by Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. It means "out of many, one" and represents ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Topics: Unity, Diversity, Church

Sermon On A Living Flame

Contributed by William Meakin on May 13, 2025

A "living flame" metaphorically represents a strong, vibrant, and sustained energy or passion, often associated with love, devotion, or a burning desire to do something.

Karel Capek, a Czechoslovakia-born writer and playwright once remarked: “You still stand watch, O human star, burning without a flicker, perfect flame, bright and resourceful spirit. Each of your rays a great idea - O torch which passes from hand to hand, from age to age, world without end.” ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:5, Hebrews 12:29, Revelation 1:14, Jeremiah 20:9

Yeast: How The Leaven Was Used To Show Good & Evil PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 3, 2023

Explore the metaphorical significance of leaven in the Bible, emphasizing its power as an influence, the dangers of negative influence (bad leaven), and the blessings of positive influence (good leaven).

Good morning, family. I want to talk with y'all today about something we encounter every day, yet we often overlook its deeper meaning: leaven. Yes, I'm talking about that stuff we use in bread. But beyond the kitchen, leaven, in the Bible, is a powerful metaphor. It can stand for influence, both ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35

Topics: Leaven

Walk From Grief To Joy PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 8, 2024

This sermon explores navigating unexpected events, understanding God's newness, and growing in redemption, using the disciples' journey to Emmaus as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. Key

Good morning, family of God. It's a joy to be with you today, gathered in the presence of our Lord, ready to encounter His word afresh. We all have our own stories, our own experiences, our own heartaches and triumphs. Each of us carries a unique narrative, woven together by the hand of God. Yet, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Topics: Redemption, Life Transformed

The Truth Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon introduction uses the metaphor of sinkholes to illustrate the importance of building one's life on the solid foundation of Jesus's teachings, as per Matthew 7:24-27.

In May of 1981, Muffin was barking ferociously in the yard. Mae Rose Williams thought she was chasing a squirrel and came out to quiet her down. She didn’t see a squirrel. Instead she found a sinkhole opening up in the front yard of her Winter Park, Florida, home. It kept opening until it swallowed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27

Topics: Sinkholes, Faith Foundations, Hearing God's Word

Sermon Series: The Easter Challenge

A Christmas Story Series

Contributed by Chris Santasiere on Dec 13, 2002

Looking at the classic movie "A Christmas Story", we look at the perfect gifts of the Magi and the perfect gifts God has given us.

“Christmas Classics” A CHRISTMAS STORY Matthew 2:9-11 Introduction When I was a little kid, from about the age of 8 until the age of 10 my Granny would keep a jar for me in her kitchen cabinet. Whenever she had an extra dollar or a little extra change, she would put it in that jar for me. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ