Sermons on Contrast:

Learning What Counts (Part 2) Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 22, 2018

In contrast to the works righteousness that Paul had been striving for before he became a Christian, Paul embraced the faith righteousness that comes through the grace of God by faith in Jesus.

Introduction: A. When life goes well for people who do not know the Lord they feel elated. 1. When hard times come they sink into despair. 2. But true joy enables us to rise above the rolling waves of circumstance. 3. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. 4. When our lives ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Jan 9, 2012

In today's lesson we learn that, because of its enduring quality, love is God's greatest gift. It contrast to love's permanence, spiritual gifts are temporary, partial, and elementary.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the issue of spiritual gifts. Let’s learn about more about that in a message I am calling, “Love – ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 20, 2022

Paul defended the resurrection of the body with two illustrations from nature and creation and used two contrasts of the old and new body, and the first and last Adam to make his point.

1 Cor 15:35-49 The Resurrection Life Do you believe in the resurrection? Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? • Do you believe that there will be a bodily resurrection and not some kind of spiritual existence with us floating around as spirits? • Or for the non-Christians, believing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Treasures In Heaven (Or Earth) Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 22, 2022

The focus on this sermon is the contrast between storing up treasures in heaven vs storing up treasures on earth and the shaping influence each has on a person's heart.

We are going through the series called Learning to Live Like Jesus. The series is focused on the extended passage of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount. It basically is contained in three chapters in the book of Matthew, 5, 6, and 7. We have gone through chapter 5 where Jesus gave us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Christian Church

The Witness Of Poverty

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 30, 2019

In an era when the contrast between the rich and the poor is most pronounced–our own time–like Francis, we are all called to follow the example of Christ in simplicity and poverty.

Tuesday of the 4th Week in Lent 2019 San Francisco di Paola One of the dominant themes of both the OT and the NT stories is what we have to look forward to in the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom, when we are confirmed as its citizens after our life on this earth, is a reign of plenty, a restoration ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 5:1-16

Denomination: Catholic

The Spiritual Saga Of Ishmael And Isaac

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Mar 21, 2001

Paul uses the story of Ishmael and Isaac and their mothers to demonstrate that the Galatian believers were in danger of abandoning the Gospel of grace in Jesus, with fascinating contrasts historically and allegorically, ever relevant for today.

THE SPIRITUAL SAGA OF ISHMAEL AND ISAAC The most casual reader of the Bible will notice that the Scriptures consist of 2 sections - the Old and New Testaments. But have you ever thought how are they related to each other? Someone made the interesting comment about the 2 Testaments that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of True Happiness

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The psalmist uses the contrasting illustrations of a tree and chaff to share the Secret of True Happiness, telling us what it is, where it’s to be found and why we need it.

THE SECRET OF TRUE HAPPINESS If the mythical man or woman in the street was asked what he or she longed for most, I expect the answer, in many cases, would be “happiness”. Jesus had something to say about this in His great Sermon on the Mount when He said: “happy”: "Blessed are ... the poor in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Nights Of Miracles

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2008

A Communion meditation that compares and contrasts the night of the Lord’s birth with the night of His betrayal and the night on which He shall return. Designed to be spoken in sections during the Communion service.

A night of miracles?! Yes, it was. A night of miracles, more than one. A miracle that the child of promise should finally be born, a miracle that a virgin should conceive and bear a son and we would call His name Immanuel, a miracle that from lowly shepherds to lofty wise men to angelic choirs ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Call To Maturity

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Mar 24, 2008

We will consider maturity in terms of various aspects of our Christian lives (Jesus, Cross, The Word, Suffering, Eternity) and how we contrast these from immature and mature points of view.

Introduction: The year of increase will happen as the church grows both qualitatively and quantitatively. The existing members are called to mature so that they can take care of the new members. We consider maturity today in terms of various aspects of our Christian lives (Jesus, Cross, The ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1

Denomination: Charismatic

A Comparison Of Adam And Christ Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Mar 5, 2008

This sermon communicates the truth that Christ has completely overturned the effects of Adam’s sin by comparing and contrasting Adam’s death-dealing sin and Jesus Life-giving gift.

The context of the message today has to do with your justification by faith in which you’ve benefited by receiving peace with God, access to God’s grace, rejoicing in God’s glory which means God will reveal Himself in you for who He really is thereby enabling you to become all that He intended you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

A Command For The Compulsive

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 27, 2009

Sabbath rest addresses our compulsive need to be busy by giving us a day for authentic enjoyment, by providing a vivid contrast with other days, and by giving us a glimpse of eternal rest.

God rested. Well, why not? After all, He had had a busy week, almost as busy as ours! Some of us have had weeks like that, when we’ve had to build the moon and the stars, separate the waters from the dry land, and bring forth swarms of living creatures, all in one week. Every parent knows what ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Not A Hanyman

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 23, 2010

Handymen have many unfinished jobs which take money and time by a professional to fix. In contrast God, who begins the work in us, will bring it to completion. There is no project to big for God.

I can relate to people who are handy-men. And I fully understand the motivations that drive a handyman • Certainly there is the motivation to save money. Why pay someone when you can do the job yourself? • Then there is also the satisfaction which comes when you step back from your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Spirit Fire Or Hell Fire

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on May 5, 2016

Pentecost Sunday - Contrasting the Fires of Hell and the Fire of the Holy Spirit. The Fires of Hell point to a Failure, An agony of Remembrance and are Eternal. The Fire of the Holy Spirit brings a Fullness, Renewal and are Everlasting!

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Genesis 11:1-9 and Luke 16:19-31 Theme: Holy Spirit Fire or Hell Fire Proposition: One of the greatest images of Pentecost is the image of Fire. Today we can choose between the Fire of Hell or the Fire of Heaven. 1. The Fire of Hell points to a Failure while the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Robes And Rags Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on Oct 28, 2013

The Pharisee and tax collector praying in the Temple--what a contrast, but the one in the robes was not the one favored by God. How good do you have to be? This lesson in humility may be startling.

Message Robes and Rags October 27, 2013 The following are true stories from Associated Press, San Jose Mercury News and UPI. Robert Puelo, 32, was apparently being disorderly in a St. Louis market, when a clerk threatened to call police. Puelo grabbed a hotdog, shoved it in his mouth and walked ...read more

Denomination: *other