Sermons on Story Parables:

Grace - The Untold Story

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Mar 31, 2017

There are those who falsely teach that God's grace, through Christ Jesus, secures salvation without any change in character and lifestyle. Such a view ignores passages which explicitly state that grace demands a transformation.

Grace is a constant theme in the Bible, and it culminates in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (John 1:17). By His mercy, God accepted Christ's sufferings and death as the punishment for sin that we all deserved. By His grace (unmerited favor), God extended to those who put their trust ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Purpose Of The Creation Story

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 3, 2018

Is Genesis theistic evolution, day-age theory, a gap, literal 6 days, a polemic, an allegory, majestic prose, intelligent design or something else? If Christians can’t agree on the timing of creation, can we agree on the purposes of the creation story?

Prelude Berasheet bara' Elohim et hashamayim ve'et ha'aretz In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. What are the secrets behind the creation stories in Genesis? Is Genesis literal, allegory, or majestic prose? What are the forgotten purposes of the creation stories? Purpose: ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Tell Your Story Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 19, 2018

In today's world, a well told story will be heard regardless of the content. Luke tells Paul's conversion story, giving us a framework in which to share ours. Consider these thoughts from Scott Jewell, our Family Minister.

Read Acts 9:1-31. Pray. What is the most memorable sermon illustration you’ve ever heard? I’m pretty confident that the first thing that came to mind was a story. I’ll take it one step further- I’ll bet it was a personal story the preacher told on himself. If I’m wrong, you can collect an extra ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ruth & Naomi's Story Series

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Aug 3, 2016

The relationship of Ruth and Naomi show us a glowing example of covenant love.

For the past four weeks, we’ve been putting women in their place! Over these four weeks we’ve discovered Sarah’s faithfulness. Natalie Johnson showed us how God used an unnamed Samaritan woman to become a powerful example of evangelism, and last week we saw how Mary of Bethany ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18

Denomination: Methodist

Telling Your Story Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 17, 2016

God wants to use your story to give someone else’s story a happy ending.

Telling Your Story Text: Acts 26:1ff Introduction 1. Illustration: In his book, Just Walk Across The Room, Bill Hybels says, "Our affinity for stories begins at an early age, as little kids begging weary parents, "read it again, read it again.!" As we become mature, contributing members of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-32

Denomination: Methodist

Scariest Story Of All

Contributed by Larry Turner on Oct 28, 2016

With all the horror stories played out at Halloween, the scariest story of all is found in the Bible.

Did you enjoy the music that was playing when you came in? Were you looking over your shoulders for Jason or Michael Myers? Was Freddy Krugger stalking you? All of these of course were characters from famous horror films. We love to be frightened. Last week we went to Scarowinds on Friday night. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31

Denomination: Foursquare

What's Your Story? Series

Contributed by Scott Jewell on Nov 16, 2016

We all have our stories. Let's look at Saul's story to learn how to better tell our own for the sake of the gospel.

The compilation “One Thousand and One Nights” tells the story of a Persian King who caught his wife caught wife being unfaithful. He had her executed then proceeded to go through a number of “wives”, executing them after spending a night together. The Vizier’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

My Story Is Not Over

Contributed by Donavon Hill on Sep 21, 2017

This is a sermon for anyone who's followed God half-heartedly or been partially obedient. It's a message of hope from the life of Abram/Abraham. He made so many mistakes but God brought him into every promise He had ever made.

Please stand for the reading of the Word Genesis 12 1 Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Halloween, A Ghost Story Series

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Nov 1, 2017

The Book of 1 Samuel shares a ghost story that needs to be considered during this time of the year.

A Ghost Story The Book of 1 Samuel shares a ghost story that needs to be considered during this time of the year. The prophet Samuel is dead. King Saul was inquiring of the Lord and God was not answering Saul through dreams, nor Urim, nor prophets. So Saul surrenders to self-will and sins by ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:3-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Greatest Rescue Story

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on May 8, 2020

Despite our natural inclination to sin, God loves us unconditionally. So much so that He sent Jesus to rescue us.

THE GREATEST RESCUE STORY "Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them." Genesis 3:21. Unbelievable! These guys had just rebelled against God. Instead of leaving them to bear the consequences of their rebellion, He clothed them. God looked down on Adam ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:1, Luke 15:22-24, John 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Rest Of The Story: Peace!

Contributed by Dr. David Hallum on Sep 13, 2019

Jesus Can Offer Peace The World Cannot Give!

Introduction: The word “peace” only occurs five times in the Gospel of John. Two times before the resurrection of Jesus and three times after the resurrection of Jesus. I find it incredibly interesting that there are 88 occurrences of this word in the NT. The only NT book that does NOT contain ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Baptist

Habakkuk: A Story Of Trust

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Jun 18, 2019

TO STAND FAST AND TRUST IN GOD WHEN WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS IS VERY SCARY. HABAKKUK IS A STORY OF TRUST THAT WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM.

HABAKKUK: A STORY OF TRUST HABAKKUK 2:1-20 THE SMALL BOOK OF HABAKKUK IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US AS WE CAN FIND OURSELVES IN THE SAME POSITION AS THE PROPHET, BUT TREMBLE WHEN IT COMES TO STANDING LIKE HE DID. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE DON’T UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF GOD. HE DOESN’T ACT THE WAY WE ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Must Be Told

Contributed by John Petty on Dec 12, 2011

Jesus came to set the captive free and heal the broken hearted but how will they know unless someone tells the story...

On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their 5th attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight. Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

A Story About Light

Contributed by Troy Borst on Dec 19, 2011

Christmas Eve Sermon that uses a candle being lit and blown out alternately to tell a story about Jesus being Light.

[SANCTUARY OR OTHER ROOM BEGINS AS DARK AS POSSIBLE] SET UP: A LARGER CANDLE AT CENTER STAGE A PERSON READING OR TELLING THE STORY A HELPER TO LIGHT AND BLOW OUT THE CANDLE ** = INDICATES WHEN TO LIGHT THE CANDLE *** = INDICATES WHEN TO BLOW THE CANDLE OUT This Christmas Eve, I would like to ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missing The Big Story

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 4, 2012

Over Christmas we often preachg on the stable in Bethlehem, the Shpeherds who foudn Jesus and the Wise Men who followed the Star - but what about those who missed the birth of Christ? And are we in danger of doing the same?

Missing the Big Story On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first flight in an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. The flight lasted 59 seconds and travelled 850 ft. Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message home WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 59 SECONDS - WE WILL ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Anglican