Sermons on Parables:

The Tenants

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 5, 2005

This parable of Jesus tells the story of the world and its rebellion against God. Jesus was also predicting his own death.

The Tenants Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus tells this very interesting and provocative story about a landowner and some farmers to whom he rented his land. In Jesus’ story, the landowner does all the work in the beginning. The land is his, and he plants a vineyard. He digs a winepress where the grapes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Methodist

Ready Or Not

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 11, 2005

The parable of the 10 women waiting for the bridegroom to appear enlightens us as to how we should await the coming of Christ Jesus.

Ready Or Not – Matthew 25: 1 - 12 Intro: A young man applied for a job as a farm hand. When asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." --- This puzzled the farmer, but he took a liking to the young man and hired him. --- A few days later, the farmer and his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Behind The Fanfare Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 9, 2007

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem is a living parable that carries a powerful message of what God’s kingdom and the Christian life is like

Luke 19:28-30 “Behind the Fanfare” INTRODUCTION Everyone likes a parade. We love the pomp, the colorful costumes, the loud music, the disciplined marching, the imaginative floats, and of course the smiles and the waves. Some parades are greater productions than others. Though I’ve never been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-38

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Team Is Vital Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jan 1, 2005

Fourth message in a series using NASCAR prinicples as a series of parables to encourage people to follow God’s pattern for life.

Bible Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2 Series: NASCAR Comes To Church Title: The Team is Vital Topic: Christian Living / Relationships Theme: Christian Living in Relationships Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to respect others and to develop pure ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Godly Father

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jun 10, 2007

A Father’s Day message using the parable of the lost son in Luke 15. Audio will be placed at www.sermonlist.com

Fathers are very special people. I personally think we are special partly because we are men. Of course, only men will agree with that. Here are a few examples of why I say that. If you are a man, ... You’ll never waste time asking for directions ... You can finish all phone calls in less ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20-32

Denomination: *other

The Mysteries Of The Kingdom Series

Contributed by John Mccaherty on Nov 19, 2004

7 parables called the “mysteries of the kingdom” We will start a series of Sunday morning messages entitled “The Mysteries of the Kingdom”

The Mysteries of the Kingdom Part 1 “The Sower” Matthew 13:3-8 7 parables called the “mysteries of the kingdom” We will start a series of Sunday morning messages entitled “The Mysteries of the Kingdom” “Mystery” in scripture is a previously hidden truth, now divinely revealed, but in which a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

Your Kingdom Come Series

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Feb 22, 2009

Jesus described the coming kingdom of God through the windows of the parables. This sermon unpacks something of the meaning to the people then and to us now.

22.2.09 YOUR KINGDOM COME – Luke 8:4-14 INTRO News headlines today – THE TIMES 22nd February 2009 PARENTS TOLD: AVOID MORALITY IN SEX LESSONS PARENTS should avoid trying to convince their teenage children of the difference between right and wrong when talking to them about sex, a new government ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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