Sermons on Story Parables:

The Root Of The Problem Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Aug 2, 2007

Why Jesus spoke in parables, and a look at the Parable of the Sower

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM Series: Pursuing Meaning Most of us remember Aesop’s Fables... --The wolf in sheep’s clothing teaches us that appearances can be deceiving. -The town mouse and country mouse teach us that it’s better to eat beans and bacon in safety than cakes and ale in fear. -The goose ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Smallville Of Nazareth Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Aug 31, 2007

Everything that Superman aspires to be in imaginary tales, Jesus is in reality—and so much more. The story of Superman is really a modern day parable for the story of Jesus Christ. This is the first in a series of youth lessons title: Jesus Is My Superher

The Smallville of Nazareth Between the child rocketed from the doomed planet Krypton and the symbol of truth and justice Superman is destined to become, lies a vitally important aspect of Superman mythology—Smallville. Catching fire upon entering Earth’s atmosphere, the baby Kal-El’s spaceship ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-20

Denomination: Christian Church

"a Heavenly Party:" The Parable Of Lost Things

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 6, 2023

In today’s “Parables to Live By,” we’ll be looking at what causes heaven to have a party, and the heavenly party God’s got planned along with His guest list in the parable that Jesus taught on lost things.

Parables to Live By A Heavenly Party: “The Parable of Lost Things” Luke 15 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI54z3N0B2g&t=1s How many of you have lost something that was precious or important to you? For myself, this seems to be the norm. I’ve lost just about everything, ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

"making The Smart Investment:" The Parable Of The Rich Fool

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 16, 2023

We live in a society pulverized by wrong priorities, crushed by debt, and pinned down by materialism, thus blocking our vision causing us to miss the life God has so graciously given. Today’s parable looks at where we’re investing our future.

Parables to Live By “Making the Smart Investment:” The Parable of the Rich Fool Luke 12:13-21 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Et2cYUA6wQ Parables to Live By “Making the Smart Investment” Luke 12:13-21 We live in a society that is pulverized under the weight of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Foursquare

Principles From A Parable We Don't Like Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Oct 25, 2023

It matters that we wisely and shrewdly leverage our money, time, energy, talents, skills, and buildings, for Jesus.

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE Principles from a Parable We Don’t Like LUKE 16:1-13 #justJesus INTRODUCTION… Shrewd Sailor-King (source unknown) Once upon a time there was a sailor who was washed ashore on a remote Pacific Island. The natives he met made him king over the island. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do Not Be Deceived - God Is Not Mocked Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 18, 2008

This message focuses on the true nature of sowing and reaping taken from the view of a farmer.

Do Not Be Deceived – God Is Not Mocked Part 1 Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Introduction This message if the first of my new series titled “Do Not Be Deceived – God Is Not Mocked.” This morning I will focus primarily on the seeds that are being planted within us and what we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good Soil

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jan 3, 2011

Preaching outline on the Parable of the Good Soil, with intro & application.

Good Soil Full text: Mark 4:1-20 Main foci: Mark 4:3-9, 15-20 Preaching Outline, by Sterling C. Franklin Introduction – Some people are more fertile than others...in receiving the Word. In Mark 4:1-20, Jesus presents four different types of soils, or audiences to the Word of God, with only ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Bff @ Midnight Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 3, 2009

This parable is clearly about prayer but exactly what is Jesus teaching us about prayer. Because of interpretative translations, it may not be what you think.

The Parables of Jesus My BFF @ Midnight Luke 11:1-13 August 2, 2009 This parable is clearly a parable about prayer. Luke has positioned it after Jesus teaches “The Lord’s Prayer,” and has included the saying about prayer that uses the “ask, seek, and knock,” which Matthew has as part of the Sermon ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

The Unjust Judge Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Aug 10, 2009

This parable is about persistence in praying but not about praying the same prayer persistently to get what we want. It is about sticking with prayer and with God no matter what!

The Parables of Jesus The Unjust Judge Luke 18:1-8 August 9, 2009 Here we have another parable with a theme of prayer. Like the parable of the BFF @ midnight, this parable is NOT praying the persistently the same prayer badgering God to get what we desire. In fact, NO WHERE in scripture is this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Wheat And Weeds

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus tells a parable that helps us understand. It’s a parable that answers this very question, If the kingdom of God is here, why is there still evil?

Wheat and Weeds 6/01/08 AM Text: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-42 Introduction Turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew. Do you know what Matthew is trying to get across in this gospel? Do you know the truth he was trying to share? Matthew wrote this book because he wants us to know this one basic truth: Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Does Heaven Look Like?

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Jul 26, 2008

This is what heaven looks like: - Heavenly hope is growing like a mustard seed even against our gardening esthetics - Heaven is as powerful as yeast and as sinful and dirty as well - Heaven is as valuable as a hidden treasure - and we should long to ge

Matt 13:31-33, 44-52 - Have you understood all this? Sure I understood: The mustard seed is about growth - This pictures teaches us that Heaven is growing in our midst and that we can grow as well - Like the Ugly Duckling or Phoenix from the Ashes - Little things can achieve a lot - like a word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-52

Denomination: Congregational

The Pharisee And The Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jun 26, 2015

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector shows us two different approaches to God.

Scripture When someone comes to the Session in order to be interviewed for communicant membership, we always ask the following two questions, which we have borrowed from Dr. D. James Kennedy and Evangelism Explosion. First, we ask, “Suppose you were to die today, are you sure that you would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Spiritual Farming

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jun 29, 2022

Jesus's parable of the four soils is filled with rich principles of how we can become fruitful Christians that we sometimes miss because they take work on our part.

Mark 4:3-9 (William Barclay) "Listen! Look! The sower went out to sow. As he was sowing, some seed fell along the roadside; and the birds came and devoured it. Some fell upon rocky ground where it did not have much earth; and it sprang up immediately, because it had no depth of earth, but, ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of Leaven Series

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Nov 2, 2024

In this message, Dr. Vorce explains the parable of the leaven encouraging us to let the gospel message spread far and wide for global revival.

Matthew 13:33 - Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Introduction • Review of the previous parable: The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Mt 13:31-32) • Highlights remarkable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:33, Luke 12:1, Matthew 16:5-12, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Mark 16:15-16, Romans 10:17-18, Romans 16:25-26, Colossians 1:6, Colossians 1:23, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Timothy 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Three Ways To Hinder Your Spiritual Growth Series

Contributed by Hal Seed on Oct 3, 2008

The Parable of the Soils describes four ways to respond to God. Three of them hinder spiritual growth. In this parable Jesus is saying, "You must take responsiblity for your personal spiritual growth."

[This sermon is contributed by Hal Seed of New Song Church in Oceanside, California and of www.PastorMentor.com. Hal is the author of numerous books including The God Questions and The Bible Questions. If you are interested in The Bible Questions Church-wide Campaign, please visit and watch Hal’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist