Sermons on Contrary Inclination:

The Greatest

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 12, 2013

The analogy of the child being the greatest in God’s Kingdom was completely contrary to the prevailing culture then and now. Imagine how His disciples must have reacted to Jesus then and how indifferent it is even today.

Opening illustration: If God was taking resumes, what would you put on yours? In other words, what makes a good Christian? What would really impress them when you arrive in heaven? Experience, qualifications, references, character traits … The reason I asked is because followers of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Are A Watchman

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 5, 2024

We have a responsibility as watchmen to sound the alarm of impending judgement for those living contrary to the Word of God. Are you telling those that you love about Christ and what an eternity without Him will be like?

You Are A Watchman Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-16; Luke 10:25-29; First Timothy 2:1-4 “(1) Again the word of the LORD came to me, saying, (2) ‘Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-16, Luke 10:25-29, 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Deceitfulness Of Sin. Series

Contributed by Christina Milanderb on May 18, 2024

The old sin nature was crucified and died with Christ. Anything contrary to who we are now in Christ Scripture calls 'deceit' and must be resisted only by Jesus's indwelling grace.

Awhile ago The Lord peeled back the causes of the internal struggles we face at times to live a godly life and it really opened my eyes, I pray it opens yours as well. In James 3, a clear distinction is made between a "Wisdom from above" and that is from God, and a "wisdom from ...read more

Scripture: James 4:7-8, James 3:14-16, Hebrews 3:13, Ephesians 4:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:10, Romans 6:6, 2 Peter 2:11  (view more)  (view less)

Two Masters Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 31, 2022

No one can serve two masters, particularly those whose orders are directly contrary to one another: otherwise, if they were the same or both agreed, both might be served, but this is rarely the case and seldom done.

Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6:24 (Two Masters) 24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. No one can serve two masters, particularly those whose orders are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Baptist

The Love Deal

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 18, 2009

Our society confuses LOVE and LUST. Unlike lust, God’s kind of love is directed toward others, not inward toward ourselves. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is natural to love them that love us, but it is supernatural to love th

Opening illustration: Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me." Dr. Crane suggested an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Connections Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 13, 2009

For some, Paul’s greetings at the end of Romans might seem boring and not relevant. To the contrary, Paul’s connections with other believers offers us a rich tapestry of life and service in the 1st century church.

Paul’s letter to the Romans was not merely a theological treatise on God’s plan to rescue mankind from evil. He wrote it to people he had (mostly) never met, in a city where he had never been. The purpose of his letter was that of introduction. “Hi, I’m Paul, and this is what I believe.” In ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

How To Find Gladness In Serving God

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Jan 2, 2013

There are misconceptions that if anyone decided to serve God, he should be prepared to live a boring life. On the contrary, a life spends in sinful pleasures of the world usually end up in misery. There are 5 elements to enjoy Christian service

HOW TO FIND GLADNESS IN SERVING GOD Psa 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. There are misconceptions that if anyone decided to serve God, he should be prepared to live a sad and boring life. Serving God is a great privilege and must be rendered with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Paradoxes

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 5, 2017

Webster's defines a paradox as: "A statement contrary to common belief. A statement that seems contradictory, unbelievable, or absurd, but that may actually be true." There are paradoxes when it comes to Christianity. Let's take a look at some of them.

CHRISTIAN PARADOXES Webster's defines a paradox as: "A statement contrary to common belief. A statement that seems contradictory, unbelievable, or absurd, but that may actually be true." A paradox is something that's not necessarily a contradiction; just a contradiction in terms. There are some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-25, Matthew 10:39, 1 Corinthians 1:18-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Neither Do I Condemn You"

Contributed by Sam Mccormick on Oct 30, 2017

The story of the woman caught in the act of adultery and Jesus' response to the scribes and Pharisees' query about the law is one of the most intriguing episodes in the bible. Why did Jesus act in a way that on the surface seemed contrary to the law?

Note: I developed a set of slides on PowerPoint for my use in delivering this sermon. If you are interested in having the slides, send an Email to sam@srmccormick.net with the word “Slides” in the subject line and “Neither Do I Condemn You” in either the subject line or the body of the message, and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:16-17, 2 Corinthians 3:7-9, Acts 17:30-31, Luke 7:31-32, John 8:3-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gospel: Spirit Led Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 23, 2015

We have two natures and they are diametrically opposed. The sinful nature verses the spiritual nature. Each nature desires what is contrary to the other. All Christians have this internal conflict. But living by the Spirit brings victory.

It can be a shocking discovery. It takes place in the slums of our big cities. It takes place in upscale suburban subdivisions. And it is taking place right now inside of your mouth. Maybe you have seen the mouthwash commercials that show the inside of a mouth magnified by one thousand ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Out Of The Pit, On To The Rock, Singing A Song

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 12, 2002

If you’re not inclined to believe what I’m telling you about pits, just ask 9 Pennsylvania coal miners. Breaking through into an older mine, a powerful current of water was released, and the miners ran for their lives. Unable to outrun the rising water, t

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: If you’re not inclined to believe what I’m telling you about pits, just ask 9 Pennsylvania coal miners. Breaking through into an older mine, a powerful current of water was released, and the miners ran for their lives. Unable to outrun the rising water, they had to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Shalom Shalom

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 23, 2015

To show that GOD already blessed us with the LORD JESUS CHRIST as Prince of Peace and giver of constact perfect peace for us. Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible) You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination an

I. EXORDIUM: Are you blessed of and by the LORD? Yes. James 1:25 James 1:25 (Amplified Bible) But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Measured Against The Plumb Line

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 22, 2021

We are tested every day by the Word of God. Are we continuing upright in the ways of the Lord? Are we inclined toward sin, or are we striving to be true to the Lord? The Word of God tests us, every time that we read it, every time we hear it.

Have you ever seen a plumb line? Simply, it’s a string with a heavy weight tied to one end of it. A bricklayer will hang a plumb line beside a wall that’s under construction, to see if the wall is being built vertical and true. If things are out of kilter, then he’ll be able to see it right away: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Amos 2:6-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christian Freedom In The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 27, 2009

The letter has changed emphasis from doctrine to practice. The first part of chapter 5 has promoted freedom from legalism. Since the restraints of the law are lifted I can now do what ever my inclinations, passions, & desires lead me to do. This is licen

GALATIANS 5: 13-15 CHRISTIAN FREEDOM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT [Romans 6:15-23] At the close of an important speech to congress on January 6, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt shared his vision of the kind of world he wanted to see after the war was over. He envisioned four basic freedoms enjoyed ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer (1) Gideon’s Prayer Regarding A Fleece

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 7, 2020

Most commentators criticise Gideon, feeling that his prayer demonstrates a lack of faith. But given how positively the New Testament views Gideon, we should be inclined to take a positive view of his prayer. It's a very sensible prayer, and a great example to us.

Today we’re starting a short series on prayer, and looking at a prayer which Gideon prayed. It’s in Judges 6:36-40. Introduction First, let’s look at the situation Gideon was in before we look at his prayer. We may think, ‘We pray, God answers. Simple.’ But when we look at what was going on at ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:36-40

Denomination: Baptist