Sermons on Contrast:

Small But Significant Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 9, 2013

Each animal represents a contrast which refers to wisdom triumphing over weakness, or lack of worldly significance or strength. We should not think that size means defeat or insignificance. Size does not count nearly as much as wisdom. Within each creatur

PROVERBS 30: 24-28 SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT Ants, badgers, locust, and lizards....Sounds like we're on a nature walk - or an advertisement for a new animated movie. Well, we will be letting these animals of God's Creation teach us, and I hope they help our message tonight come alive. Man can draw ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 30:24-28

Denomination: Baptist

"Prayers The God Hears:" The Pharisee And Tax Collector

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Sep 3, 2023

In the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, we’ll be looking at those prayers God hears. However, is all speech skyward prayer, and are they the prayers God hears and answers. In a study of contrast, Jesus’s looks at prayer and the type of prayers God hears.

Parables to Live By “Prayers the God Hears: The Pharisee and Tax Collector” Luke 18:9-14 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlUjYOQFsro Over the years, I’ve seen and heard quite a few prayers, and what others consider being the type of prayers that God hears. Now, almost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Foursquare

Jews And Christians Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 3, 2021

The Savior of all men was a Jew, and this alone exalts the name of Jew to the highest degree. No other race can boast of a greater honor. In the flesh Jesus was a Jew, but in contrast Paul says that in the Spirit Jesus was God, who is over all blessed forever.

David Lefkowitz in explaining why he is a Jew tells the story of Nathan the Wise. A Sulton had just heard a Christian and a Mohammedan give their testimony as to the excellencies of their respected beliefs. It was Nathan's turn to tell why he was a Jew. Instead, he asked the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:4-5

Meeting A Need On The Way To Meeting A Need Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 20, 2019

Jesus showed what a difference it makes to believe in and trust Him. Stark contrast between mourners with no hope and sojourners whose hope is in Christ! "Christ took her by the hand and said, ''Arise!'" Christians, Arise!

GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK Study of the Gospel According to Mark As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry of Jesus – a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

Children: A Gift From God

Contributed by Akindele Opoola on Jul 13, 2025

Beloved in Christ, we live in a time where the value of children is often misunderstood or minimized. Psalm 127:3 offers a divine perspective that stands in contrast to the cultural noise around us. It reminds us of a fundamental truth: Children are not burdens; they are blessings.

Sermon Title: "Children: A Gift from God" Text: Psalm 127:3 — “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Introduction: Beloved in Christ, we live in a time where the value of children is often misunderstood or minimized. Psalm 127:3 offers a divine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:3, James 1:17, Genesis 33:5, Proverbs 22:6, Luke 18:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Superheroes Vs. Christians

Contributed by Warren Curry on Sep 22, 2004

So what about Christians? How do they compare or contrast with these superheroes we have been looking at. We’ll look at three principles to examine the superheroes and the Christians, but instead of trying to impress the pop culture, we will seek God’s

Superheroes vs. Christians Introduction: Throughout the last century, superheroes have played a major part of our American culture. Comic books, cartoons & science fiction have all played a part of making superheroes a major icon in our society. We can look way back in our history to see that ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

The Law Of Christ

Contributed by Phil Smith on Feb 23, 2009

Sometimes in all the Christian rhetoric, we forget the simplicity of what following Christ looks like. "Good Works" has been given a bad name because they are viewed as a contrast to faith and grace. However, once you get past the elementary teaching of

The Law of Christ I. Introduction Lately, the ladies of our church have had a couple of opportunities to help some folks. If you are not already aware, some of our ladies are cooking meals for Peter and Theda Kempenar on a regular basis. Also, they supplied a good bunch of sandwiches for Teri ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2

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

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

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

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