Sermons on Parables:

Counting The Cost Of Discipleship Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Mar 4, 2002

Jesus told these stories in Luke’s Gospel to teach us to count what it would cost us to fully follow Jesus and what it would cost us if we choose a different path.

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme Opening Statement: I came across a story this week that all the farmers will appreciate, especially Marvin Abplanalp. A hen and a pig approached a church and read the advertised sermon topic: “What can we do to help the poor?” Immediately the hen suggested they feed ...read more

Blocking The Door To Heaven

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 10, 2002

In religious leaders’ refusal to accept God’s way not only did they not go through the door but also blocked the door to heaven for others.

In Matthew 23:13 Christ pronounced judgment upon the scribes and Pharisees when He said, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Christ condemned ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

One Plus One Plus One Equals One

Contributed by Tim Zingale on May 24, 2001

A sermon for the 7th Sunday of Easter

7th Sunday of Easter John 17: 20-26 One Plus One Plus One = One   We have a wonderful mystery to contemplate this morning, and it is summarized in a strange formula. It’s not really all that complicated, but it is worthy of reflection for it has implications for our lives together. Here is the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Tax Collector And The Pharisee

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 21, 2002

Self righteousness and a critical, judgmental spirit usually go together. Why? Because self righteousness is a zero-sum game.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at some of the parables of our Lord. A parable is a fictional story told to illustrate a spiritual reality. Jesus told many of them. As a preacher, He knew that what people often remember best about a sermon are the illustrations. He understood that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Peace With My Enemies Series

Contributed by Eric Snyder on Apr 29, 2002

Part 3 of a series called live @ peace

Peace with my enemies, Luke 6:27-36 Live @ Peace series Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ April 21, 2002 A knight and his men return to their castle after a long hard day of fighting. "How are we faring?" asks the king. "Sire," replies the knight, "I have been robbing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Discovering Jesus: The Treaure And The Pearl Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 6, 2002

Jesus used the metaphors of treasure and a pearl to indicate the value of the Kingdom and lifestyle that He came to implement. If the Kingdom is everything that he said it was, we should not stop until we know what it is and how we can find it.

INTRODUCTION Sermonic Theme Opening Statement: Today, we all have our search. If you are a normal human being, you are engaged in some kind search or quest this morning. It may be a place, a person, a purchase, a dream, an experience, a position, an achievement, or your first million, but it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Field Of Dreams Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

Part 3 of 4 of the series, Secrets of the Kingdom of God, Revealed! From the parable of the field and the parable of the pearl we learn that the kingdom of God is valuable and costly. But the question is, "What makes the kingdom so attractive and desirab

FIELD OF DREAMS Matthew 13:44-46 Read at beginning of service: Matthew 19:16-26 (NIV) 16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17 "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26, Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Unmerciful Servant

Contributed by Alan Perkins on May 26, 2002

Those who appreciate the depth of sin that God has forgiven in them will forgive others as well.

This morning, we continue our journey through the parables of Christ. Parables, as I’ve noted before, are short and simple. They don’t have complex plots, or dozens of characters, like a Russian novel. You don’t need a Ph.D. in theology or Hebrew literature to understand them. And yet, despite ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Business

Contributed by Michael Stover on May 26, 2002

Kingdom Business is what we are to be about.

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God. Everything else comes in second, and it comes in a far second. I. See the Reality of the Kingdom A. Tangible Evidence B. Walk by faith and not by sight II. Seek the Rule of the Kingdom A. ‘Kingdom’ means rule, authority B. Your heart is a throne and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Baptist

Hidden Treasure

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 2, 2002

No act of faith or obedience, whether great or small, whether seen or unseen, will go unrewarded.

This morning, I’d like to address a simple question: Is it worth it? Is the payoff worth the cost, is the potential reward worth the risk? We face that question all the time, for the simple reason that everything has a cost. Nothing is free. Even gifts usually come with some kind of strings ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Baptist

"The Gospel Is God's Favorite "Joke,” To Tell Humankind.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jul 6, 2002

July 14, 2002 -- EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --Proper 10 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Color: Green Matthew 13: 1-23 Title: “The Gospel is God’s favorite “joke,” to tell humankind.”

July 14, 2002 -- EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --Proper 10 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Color: Green Matthew 13: 1-23 Title: “The Gospel is God’s favorite “joke,” to tell humankind.” The Parable of the Sower 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2Such great crowds gathered ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Romans 8:1

Denomination: Lutheran

"Wearing Out The Judge" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 10, 2002

Variety in how we pray can help us to be consistent and persistent

“Wearing Out The Judge” Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts When the subject of prayer comes up, it raises some questions. First of all, since God already knows our needs, why even pray? Obviously God doesn’t need a briefing—He doesn’t need to be informed ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Congregational

The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 18, 2007

1- The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner 2- The kingdom of heaven is like men working 3- The kingdom of heaven is like getting paid

INTRO.- The kingdom of heaven is a kingdom. It is a country, a domain, an empire. It is similar to our country and yet it is not similar. Heaven is not America and America is not heavenly! ILL.- When Edward Everett Hale was Chaplain of the Senate, someone asked him, “Do you pray for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Gospel, A Two Edged Sword"

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jan 22, 2007

A sermon for the 4th Sunday after the epiphany

4th Sunday after the Epiphany Luke 4:21-30 "The Gospel, A Two Edged Sword" 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 22 And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Born Again

Contributed by Joanna Beveridge on Jan 27, 2007

To be born again means trusting God enough to leave the safety of our old life

“Very truly, I tell you, no-one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Jesus always chose the words he used very carefully. To appreciate that this is true you only have to think about the stories he told to illustrate the message he was trying to get across. Think about the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican