Sermons on Contrast:

Red Sticks - Blue Sticks

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 7, 2009

Ordinary Proper 14 - St. Paul draws a contrast between the follower of God and the person who doesn’t know of his love in Christ. He encourages us to guard our identity in Christ by illustrating what life in Christ "looks like".

Recently I was remembering the very first sermon that I preached. It was in the mid 70s at a Baptist Church. I was a young sailor recently married. My new bride had been raised in a Baptist church and I was a freshly catechized Lutheran. We tried the local Lutheran Church – but it was not an ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

At The House Of Caiaphas

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 19, 2015

We’re stopping at the house of Caiaphas, & what we see there is rank hypocrisy. So let’s to look at it. But after we do, we’ll also look at the genuineness of Jesus, & point out the contrast between the two.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK When people are invited to attend church, an excuse we sometimes hear is this: “I don’t go to church because there are so many hypocrites there.” Have you ever heard that excuse? It’s been around a long time. Those who love the church have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jairus’ Daughter Raised And A Woman With A Hemorrhage Healed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 8, 2017

You can see here the contrast of light and darkness. The little girl is twelve years old and the light is passing out of her life. The woman has suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years, but now she is passing from darkness into light.

-AD 28- East Shore of Galilee Lesson: Jairus’ Daughter Raised and a Woman with a Hemorrhage Healed Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56 Matthew- 18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Promised Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 25, 2017

Jesus is talking about His second coming, when He will come in glory to judge the world. This is a great contrast to His first coming when He was abused and despised by the people. But at his second coming we will see the Captain of our salvation coming

-AD 29- Caesarae Philippi Title: Kingdom Promised Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:26-27) -Matthew- For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27) Jesus is talking about His second coming, when He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

Any Other Gospel Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 3, 2011

Without attention and energy, we humans will default back to our flesh pleasing ways even after coming to Jesus. That's where the lie of legalism is so pervasive. Paul begins his battle against legalism by contrasting human achievement with grace.

We humans love to accomplish things. It’s so we can tell whether we are a success or not. This is also true when it comes to pleasing God. “Lord, I prayed and read your Word for an hour today.” “Father, I refrained from clobbering that guy who cut in front of me.” We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Listening With Love

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Dec 22, 2019

Sermon for Advent 4, Year A. Sermon contrasts how Joseph could have treated Mary and how he actually acted toward her. Mary has a story (and thus Jesus) because Joseph listened with love and showed mercy.

Preparing for 2020: Listening with Love I feel for Joseph. Not only because he’s often overlooked, but in some ways I understand what it’s like to be Joseph. In 1994 I found a new level of solidarity with Joseph. The children’s director concluded that the pastor’s grandson didn’t need a “speaking” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Episcopal

Jephthah = Rejection – Victory – And Disaster - All In The One Cup - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 6, 2022

The story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, continues and takes us through deceit, stupidity, betrayal, victory, defeat. It reveals the honour of a daughter contrasted with the utter and complete disgrace of her father. Jephthah, a flawed man had to "battle his demons".

JEPHTHAH = REJECTION – VICTORY – AND DISASTER - ALL IN THE ONE CUP - PART 2 Read PART 1 before reading this second part. It will then make a lot more sense. MAN’S EVIL LAID BARE – GOING BACK TO FIRST BASE {{Judges 11:7 Then Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:7, Judges 11:8-9, Judges 11:10, Judges 11:12-28, Judges 11:29, John 14:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 Peter 4:7, Judges 11:30-31, Judges 11:34-35, Judges 12:1-3, Judges 11:36-40, Judges 12:7, Hebrews 11:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

After God’s Own Heart

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 21, 2022

David was a man after God’s own heart, because of his integrity. Through an overview of David's life, we explore what it is to have the heart of God, by contrasting “Saul’s heart of defiance” with “David’s heart of obedience.”

Baptist Men’s Day, on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar, is observed on January 24, 2021 (which, of course, we are a week late). I have written this morning’s sermon to recognize the men of our congregation, and we’re going to be looking at living a life of integrity before God. Our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Kingdom Economy Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Ruben L. Broadnax Jr. on Oct 25, 2024

"This sermon introduces God's Kingdom economy, contrasting worldly financial systems with Kingdom principles. It emphasizes financial victory through alignment with God’s Word and explores how Kingdom living leads to freedom and provision."

In a world dominated by financial stress, economic uncertainty, and the unending pursuit of more, God's people are invited to embrace a different reality—God’s Kingdom economy, which operates on principles that are higher and more stable than the world's systems. Jesus makes this clear when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Other

The Rich Young Ruler Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 3, 2023

When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus, we have a living example before the eyes of the disciples of the contrast. Here is someone willing to pay the price of spiritual discipline, yet someone who could not with childlike faith give his all to Christ.

What are some of the qualities that our present-day culture put’s value on? Our society values youth. The beauty industry capitalizes on the quest for the eternal youthfulness. They sell skin creams, facial packs, hair color and offer cosmetic surgery. It is all because people value ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-27, Matthew 19:16-30, Luke 18:18-30

Denomination: Baptist

Are You A Stoner?

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 20, 2005

The Gospel of John is a gospel devoted to life in Christ. 36 times the greek word Zoe is used in the book. It makes it that much more sad that in Ch 8 we see pharisees brining a woman to the life and light to have her condemend. Contrasts the stoners s

Intro: The Gospel of John is a book about life. You say what? I thought is a book showing Jesus in all His glorious power as the Son of God. But what do we find the purpose of the book to be? John 20.31 “These have been written (miracles and signs) so that you may believe that Jesus is the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Difference Between The Good Gal And The Bad Guy Series

Contributed by Donald Carpenter on May 7, 2003

. In Esther chapter 5, God has preserved for us a look at the contrast between the bad guy, Haman, and the good gal, Esther. As we discover these character qualities, or the lack thereof, examine your own life to see what you need to work on.

The Differences Between The Good Gal And The Bad Guy Esther 5:1-14 Preached Wednesday May 7, 2003 Introduction: One of the fascinating things about the book of Esther is its rich character development. There is much to learn about the people in this story. So far we have seen how God’s ...read more

Scripture: Esther 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Strengthening Our Weaknesses”

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 17, 2002

This chapter comes on the very heels (less than a week) of one of the most tremendous victories of David’s life. What a contrast! Here he nearly took a life long plunge to the bottom in a moment of weakness. We all have our weaknesses. But admittin

Dr. Dennis Deese “STRENGTHENING OUR WEAKNESSES” (The Leader’s Weakness) I SAMUEL 25:1-44 This chapter comes on the very heels (less than a week) of one of the most tremendous victories of David’s life. What a contrast! Here he nearly took a life long plunge to the bottom in a moment of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:1-44

The Two Adams

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 29, 2009

There is a amazing contrast presented in God’s Word between two Adams — the first Adam of the Garden of Eden, and the second Adam of Bethlehem’s manger. You are either in the family of the 1st or 2nd Adam. Which family you are in determines your destiny.

THE TWO ADAMS 1 CORINTHIANS 15:45-49 Introduction: There is a amazing contrast presented in 1 Corinthians 15 between two Adams — the first Adam created in the Garden of Eden, and the second Adam born in Bethlehem. Every person listening to this message to-day is either in the family of the first ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Denomination: Baptist

Realationships Series

Contributed by Jerry Mckee on Sep 18, 2008

It’s tough to be a teenager today. I wrote this series of messages for our new 7th graders graduating into teenage life. Teenagers today are very relational. In this lesson we take a contrast what the Bible and the World have to say about relationships

Opening thoughts: Relationship websites, everyone wants to be in a relationship I. Introduction a. God made us to be relational people i. Our relationships should honor God ii. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God 23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Denomination: *other