Sermons on Parable Net:

Becoming Good Dirt

Contributed by Anne Benefield on Jul 14, 2008

The Parable of the Sower teaches us not only what not to be, but what we can be to become fertile soil for the seed of the Spirit.

Introduction: The first recorded parable of Jesus is “The Parable of the Sower.” It is the only parable which Jesus explains line by line. One of the important things for us to understand is that fields in biblical times were not like our fields today which have been prepared by modern ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Little Shady Accounting

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Dec 4, 2007

As long as there have been people in the world some have tried to cheat others. In the Parable of the Vineyard, that is exactly what happened.

Having served most of my ministry in rural east Texas, several of my church members have done some farming. And over those years I became at least somewhat familiar with sharecropping, particularly a form of it that they called farming on the halves. At first thought, I would never have imagined ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Methodist

The Heart Of A Father

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 16, 2008

Although the main focus of the Prodigal Son parable is the ungracious brother, the assumptions made about the Prodigal’s father are enlightening.

The Heart of a Father (Luke 15:11-32) 1. Father’s Day -- what can we say? 2. Sermon Central took a poll, and this would be mostly of pastors. The question and results are as follows: What do you expect for Father’s Day? A big deal 3% Simple card/gift 42% Nothing 35% Surprise ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Backward Economics Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Sep 27, 2007

God’s ways are not our ways. This truth is not more clearly demonstrated than in the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin

Luke 15:1-10 “Backward Economics” INTRODUCTION Jealousy is never a pleasant human emotion, either when we become aware of it in our own being, or when we see it displayed in the lives of others. Jealousy is a common human emotion, though, and it is one that you and have had to deal with in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Little Is Much When God Is In It Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 17, 2012

God delights in using small things for great purposes. How the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast apply to our lives.

INTRODUCTION Matthew 13 contains seven parables Jesus gives about the Kingdom of heaven. Most of His stories are based on agriculture, because all the people living in Galilee understood gardening. If you’re a gardener, these parables make more sense to you than to the non-gardeners. Let me ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Battle For The Vineyard (Matthew 21:33-40)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 6, 2007

Like so much of life, the parables of Jesus are often stories of violence. Here the violence is between a landlord and his tenants. ...

“We were told that this [operation] was against armed people and against people climbing on our armed vehicles. Our APCs (armed personnel carriers) were cruising 24 hours a day close to buildings (in Jenin), waiting for kids to climb on them, trying to dislodge the top -mounted MG (machine gun) and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Playing The World's Games By God's Rules

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Sep 4, 2007

In this parable, Jesus is teching those at the banquet how to play "musical chairs" using God’s rules not the rules of the world.

Playing the World’s Games by God’s Rules 22nd Sunday of Orinary Time, 2007 Children’s Sermon tie-in - Luke 14:11 - Using the game of "Chutes and Ladders" we discussed and how sometimes when you think you are going to lose you land on a ladder space and move forward and sometimes when you think ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Standing And Status Before God

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 24, 2019

This sermon looks at the parable of the Tax Collector and Pharisee, and answers the question, "How do I approach God?"

On the eve of those 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth in 1983, someone wrote, “In most big libraries, books by and about Martin Luther occupy more shelf room than those concerned with any other human being except Jesus of Nazareth.” In other words, next to Jesus Christ, Martin Luther is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-15

Denomination: Lutheran

A Symbolic Servant Ceremony” Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 23, 2016

Jesus' famous foot washing of His disciples is a love-parable of the way disciples should live and treat one another.

“A Symbolic Servant Ceremony” John 13:1-20 The cross is near for Jesus and the next 5 chapters cover Jesus’ farewell Passover meal and Jesus’ encouragement and prayers for His followers. We look at John 13:1 which is Jesus’ last supper where He washes His ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Dec 2, 2021

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – July 25, 2021

What Kind Of Soil Are You? Series: Parables - Small Stories, Big Truths Brad Bailey – July 25, 2021 Intro Today we are continuing our summer focus on the Parables of Jesus. As we’ve noted, parables are short stories or illustrations drawing upon what is familiar to capture great spiritual truth. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You Be Righteous, And Look Down On People? (Luke 18:1-14) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 3, 2022

Also, don't get discouraged, or stop praying. A look at two parables, with a trick to reading them better.

When it comes to the Bible, most of us have favorite parts. For some of you, it's maybe a book-- Psalms, or Matthew. For others, it's maybe a type of literature-- prophecy. We know the whole Bible is inspired. We know it's useful. We read it all. But some parts, we enjoy more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-14, Luke 5:27-32

The Persistent Friend Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 11, 2024

The main focus of this parable: It is about asking and receiving. “… how much more will your heavenly Father give” (v. 13).

A. INTRODUCTION (Luke 11:1, 5-13) After seeing Jesus in prayer, a disciple asked, “teach us to pray.” Jesus taught them what to pray (the Lord’s Prayer) then how to pray (the importunate/persist friend). Because a friend arrived late, a second friend tried to borrow bread from a third friend, yet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1, Luke 11:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Rapture Ready. Be Ready, Be Faithful, Be Fruitful - Matthew 25:14-46 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Oct 2, 2025

Parable of the Talents, Believers are called to be ready for Christ’s return, faithful with what He entrusts, and fruitful in love and service.

2025.10.05 Sermon Notes. RAPTURE READY. Be Ready, Be Faithful, Be Fruitful Matthew 25:14-46 William Akehurst, HSWC Scriptures: Matthew 25:14-46, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Colossians 3:23-24, James 2:17, Galatians 6:10, 1 John 3:18 BIG IDEA: Believers are called to be ready for Christ’s return, faithful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-46, 1 Corinthians 4:2, Colossians 3:23-24, James 2:17, Galatians 6:10, 1 John 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace Over Grumbling PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore God's extravagant generosity and grace, the dangers of grumbling, and the joy of living in His grace, as illustrated in the parable of the workers in the vineyard.

Good morning, church family! I trust you're all doing well today. We are here to dig into God's Word and unpack a profound truth from the Gospel of Matthew. As Philip Yancey once said, "Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part." Today's sermon is about God's extravagant generosity, the danger of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Topics: Grace, All

Messianic Banquet PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2023

To explore the parable of the Great Banquet, emphasizing the importance of accepting God's invitation to His kingdom and the severe consequences of rejecting it.

Good morning, Church family. Today, we will delve into the captivating parable of the Great Banquet as narrated in Matthew 22:1-14. Charles Spurgeon, a respected Christian author, once said, "When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Topics: Messiah, Wedding-Feast