Sermons on Contrast:

The Devil Made Me Do It!

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 19, 2015

The devil is part of earthly wisdom, and James contrasts earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. People’s lives reflect the source of their wisdom.

I want to take you (especially those of you who are among the older members of this congregation) on a trip down memory lane for a minute. Some of you may remember a famous comedian named Flip Wilson. He had a TV show in the 1970s, and on this show he had such famous characters as Geraldine Jones ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

In The Beginning Series

Contributed by Delwyn Campbell on Dec 25, 2019

The prologue of "According to John" is beautiful to hear, in English or in Greek. It is an interesting contrast to what has become a most depressing season.

In the Beginning... In the Beginning... Rev. Delwyn and Sis. Lenita Campbell / General (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching) Christmas Christmas is a depressing time for most people. An article written by a director of the California Department of Mental Hygiene warns: “The Christmas season is ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Freedom To Worship

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 10, 2021

This is a sermon outline I am using for a podcast on GodNAmerica.com. This lesson contrasts the deadly outcomes of idolatry with the life-giving God.

Daniel 3:17-18 (ESV) 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 1. One ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:17-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Passionate Lord

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Mar 15, 2016

The contrast between lamb and lion in John 2. Do not try to domesticate Christ. Jesus can be angry. Jesus is passionate. Jesus is powerful.

OUR PASSIONATE LORD John 2:13-22, 24-25; 12:37 1 Cor. 1:18-25 Mark 3:5 Rev. 6:15-17 Ps 69 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is Book 3 of “The Chronicles of Narnia”. At the end of this wonderful story, C. S. Lewis describes an encounter between the two human heroes Edmund and ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Antidote To The ‘kindly Grandfather’ God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2024

This passage is a stark contrast to the "kindly grandfather" image of God that many had. What are the specific ways that shows up here?

JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE: Many people like to think of God as a kindly grandfather. - Ezekiel 5:1. - There is a popular conception of God as a kindly (and slightly senile) grandfather in the sky. He’s not going to rebuke you for anything you’re doing. He’s going to ask if everyone had a good time. And ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Peace Of Christmas PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 9, 2023

Explores the contrasting images of peace and conflict in Jesus' life and ministry, seeking understanding through God's word and guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be here with you today. We gather in this sacred space, hearts open, ready to receive God's word. We are here to find comfort, to find hope, to find peace. As we begin, let's turn our hearts and minds to the words of the prophet Isaiah. He wrote, "For to us ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 10:34-36, Luke 2:8-14

Topics: Prince Of Peace

Jesus Is No Turkey

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 26, 2000

For Christ the King Sunday: This message contrasts the one-time celebrations to which we "invite" the turkey to the full-time, all-seasons lordship of Jesus.

After Thanksgiving dinner, the men in the house retired to the family room to share in that most sacred of spiritual rituals – we worshipped at the shrine of the great god football. And it was not long before someone scored a touchdown and went into a liturgical dance in the end zone: high fives, ...read more

Scripture: John 19:10-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Emptiness Of The Potterworld & The Abundance Of Cana

Contributed by Sahaya Selvam on Sep 21, 2002

The sermon is a reflection to a European audience on John 2:1-11. The sermon makes a contrast between the emptiness of the contemporary world and the fullness of the presence of Jesus.

THE EMPTINESS OF THE POTTERWORLD & THE ABUNDANCE OF CANA St. Margaret’s Church Moshi, Tanzania 27.01.2002 Readings: 1Kings 17: 8-16 & John 2:1-11 Emptiness Of The Potterworld One of my New Year resolutions was to read Harry Potter - Book 1. I am proud to say that iit didn’t take me too long ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

Practicing Your Piety In Secret

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 2, 2002

The life of faith is low-profile. We minimize ourselves so that God can be magnified and glorified. Contrasts showy piety and quiet faith actions.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day in Lent, the season of the church year during which we focus our attention on our devotion to God before Easter. Ash Wednesday gives us an unusual opportunity to focus on our mortality and our sin. These are not popular topics, nor issues that we like to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6, Matthew 6:16-21

Denomination: Lutheran

A Servant Attitude: Key To Success In Relationships

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Mar 8, 2005

The key to success in most jobs and ministries is "Knowing how to get alone with people." 3rd John is a study in contrasts between Gaius and Diotrephes.

“A Servant Attitude: Key to Success in Relationships” Matthew 20:25-28 3 John 1-12 The Carnegie Foundation discovered that to be successful on the job, relational skills are far more important than knowledge. It’s research found that only 15 percent of a person’s success is determined by job ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-12

Denomination: Free Methodist

What Does It Mean To Be "In Christ"?

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Dec 21, 2006

This sermon seeks to contrast the difference in the persons life who is "in Christ" as opposed to one who is "in Adam" from the perspective of The Exchanged Life.

In those four verses what phrase is referred to three times? It’s the phrase “in Christ” or “in Him” meaning Christ. So my question and the subject of this sermon is: “What does it mean to be in Christ?” For a couple of weeks now, I’ve talked about what it means to be “in Adam.” In fact, 1 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: The Journey Of Life

Contributed by Brad Rigney on Dec 10, 2005

This sermon explores 4 characteristics you must have to succeed in our Journey of life for truth and life. It contrast these characteristics with Narnia, the Magi and ourselves.

Narnia: The Journey of Life Matthew 2:1-12 Intro.: A. How would you define life? Some perhaps might say that life is happiness, success, family, longevity, etc. But those are really Goals in life. What is life? - Ecc. 3:2; there is a time to be born and a time to die. - We know that there is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Adventist

Good New For Bad People Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Mar 13, 2003

This parable embody two contrasting views of how to approach God; one on the basis of supposed good works and the other on the basis of God’s grace.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 49 “Good News for Bad People” Luke 18:9-14 In verse nine Jesus begins another parable. Because this parable follows the parable of the persistent widow, where Jesus teaches us to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Good New For Bad People Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Mar 13, 2003

This parable embody two contrasting views of how to approach God; one on the basis of supposed good works and the other on the basis of God’s grace.

A Study of the Book of Luke Sermon # 49 “Good News for Bad People” Luke 18:9-14 In verse nine Jesus begins another parable. Because this parable follows the parable of the persistent widow, where Jesus teaches us to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

Superman Vs. Jesus

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Jan 9, 2011

Comparing and contrasting Superman and Jesus, concluding that -- Jesus is the superhero who delivers God’s justice to the world in God’s way.

Super heroes are popular these days. One of my favorite shows on TV is No Ordinary Family -- an ordinary enough family which somehow ends up with extraordinary super-powers -- and how they are struggle to figure out the best way to use their powers for good -- without imploding the family. NBC is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: *other