Preaching Tips
Jesus is not a Metaphor, the Resurrection is not a Metaphor
The scriptures use metaphors to point to the awesomeness of God and the identity of Jesus. But the resurrection is not a metaphor. The resurrection is the most momentous event in the Christian faith. Jesus is not metaphorically raised. Jesus is really raised! He is risen not only in Word…
Holy Week Metaphors
Holy Week has such a plethora of metaphors to celebrate and lift up! It’s as though all of the metaphors set down in Genesis have now come to fruition! Light, Lamb, Tomb, Garden, Tree of Life, Olive, Fig, Stone, Curtain, Water, Feet, Serving Apron, White, Thorns, Perfume….. and many more.…
The Palms –Preaching Tip for 25 March 2018
Palm Sunday it’s easy to use metaphors! The palm is an evident one. However, be creative in the way you use this metaphor. Beside waving palm leaves, you can create artful bulletins using the palm. You can have members or kids make banners with palms. You can create a dance…
Standing Under –Preaching Tip for 18 March 2018
John Wesley noted in his Preface to Sermons on Several Occasions in 1746 that scriptures should be heard not controlled, as they are inspired and living documents…” then the writings whereby being dead, they yet speak.” The art of metaphor-image exegesis seeks to “stand under” the text allowing the living story…
Metaphors of Music — Preaching Tip for 11 March 2018
We usually think of metaphor and image as visual, but they can be auditory experiences too! In fact, many of the metaphors in scripture are primarily auditory in nature. Sometimes, a song can express what neither our mind nor our sight can comprehend. Music can be used within the sermon…
Gripping the Heart –Preaching Tip for 4 March 2018
Many preachers are used to appealing to the mind, to reason, or persuasion by argument or points. But these are forgotten as soon as the mind goes onto the next “good” thing. But stories that grip the heart –those are never forgotten. Remember this Lent to offer a heart-gripping story,…
The Interconnectedness of Scripture –Preaching Tip for 25 February 2018
Metaphors are the “signposts” of scripture, like neurons that interconnect in a web of beauty. Find one, and you’ll be sure to be able to follow it through a weave of interconnectedness that gives is depth and breadth…. and turns it into a kind of dazzling, multi-dimensional gemstone. These are the…
Metaphors of Love –Preaching Tip for 18 February 2018
The scriptures are filled with metaphors describing God’s unconditional and awesome love for us. One of the most prominent metaphors is the metaphor of the Bridegroom. Or the Bridegroom Son of the Father. The “wedding” of the Lamb or Bridegroom is always accompanied by a Feast. From the land of…
Preparing for Lent with the Ultimate Metaphor –Ashes
The metaphor of ashes is deeply steeped in Christian tradition. The imposition of ashes begins the “fasting” of Lent. Yet, Jesus was not known as a “faster” but a “feaster.” For when the Bridegroom is here, the Feast is near. Even people within our communities need the tradition and symbolism…
Use Your Windows
Is your church an original building with stained glass? Don’t forget that many of our Christian metaphors are forever engraved in the art of our stained glass windows. Help people identify those images and metaphors with scripture. Help people connect them in their traditions to the stories of Jesus. The…