Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

What To Do When The Brook Dries Up

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Nov 12, 2025

Somehow, we have the mistaken idea that the Christian life is like a fairy tale. That is, you accept the Lord as your Savior, and then then you live happily ever after! But there is no such life for any of us while we are here on earth.

It does not matter: • If a person is rich or poor • What country a person lives in? • What family a person belongs to? NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM THE SORROWS OF LIFE. Why is it important that we realize that!!! Illus: It is important because it makes me think of a young lady that was dating a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Extreme Makeover – Faith Edition

Contributed by Tim Vamosi on Jan 7, 2011

If you say you’ve encountered Jesus and there hasn’t been some kind of major redirection in your life – something that makes you stand in contrast to the world and culture in which we live – you haven’t really met him yet.

"Extreme Makeover -- Faith Edition" James 1:19-27 - start message wearing two different kinds of shoes. OPEN: How many people are familiar with the show Extreme Makeover? The most popular version of this show was actually a spin-off of the original version. The version most familiar is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Cool To God, Not So Cool To Us Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 10, 2003

God’s Idea of Cool Sometimes Surprises Us. Sometimes what is cool to God is not so cool to us. We must learn to understand God’s way of thinking and adjust our minds to tune in with His revealed will. Let’s note three qualities that are so essential t

Cool To God, Not So Cool to Us (Luke 18:1-14, Matt. 20:1-16) INTRO 1. It amazes me how little has changed in the teen world since I was a teen. I reached the age of 20 in the Fall of 1976, by the way. 2. The music doesn’t sound much different, except for rap---which is not new; it is simply old ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-14, Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Motivates You?

Contributed by Dana Visneskie on Jun 14, 2004

I ask the question, what motivates you as a Christian? What makes you do the things you do? I then make a contrast between David and Saul and ask, what motivated David to weep for a man who wanted to kill him, and what motivated Saul to pursue David.

Title: What Motivates You? Text: I Sam 18:1-12; 19:9-11; 24:1-7; 26:5-12; 31:6; II Sam 1:11-12 Pray!!! Read Text - (II Sam 1:11-12) Introduction: - A question that has been frequently asked by Christians is “If you knew the Lord was coming in 2 weeks what would you do?” - Many have said, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Sermon On The Mount (Part One) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 4, 2019

Beatitudes mean declarations of blessedness. If we were asked ‘what does it mean to be blessed’, our answers would not be what we find here in this list. But we know our way of thinking contrasts God’s way. The beatitudes reveal what our attitude should be.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part one) Read intro in study bible. Beatitudes mean declarations of blessedness. Blessed means more than just happy, since happiness is dependent on circumstances. Blessedness refers to the ultimate well being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who are saved. In all ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-5, Matthew 18:1-4, Isaiah 57:15, Luke 18:9-14, Matthew 11:28-30, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Failure Of Human Leadership Series

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 20, 2019

Can human political systems save us? We elect national leaders, and are quickly disappointed. Let’s learn that only God’s government can truly bless humanity. Let’s contrast human governments and Christ’s government in Luke 23:33-43.

Can human political systems save us? We elect national leaders, and are quickly disappointed. Let’s learn that only God’s government can truly bless humanity. Let’s contrast human governments and Christ’s government in Luke 23:33-43. Forgive Them Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:33-43

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 9, 2015

The 1) Contrast (Ephesians 5:8) , 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 5:9–10), 3) Command (Ephesians 5:11a) 4) Commission (Ephesians 5:11b–13) and 5) Call (Ephesians 5: 14) of Christians as God’s own children of light.

For anyone who remembers the days when just one Spider-Man movie seemed impossible, it is an astonishing how comic book superheroes now dominate popular entertainment. There is a precise schedule of superhero movies to be released over the next six years. Even with such a variety of movies there is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Other

We Must Obey God Rather Than Men

Contributed by Timm Meyer on May 2, 2006

Easter 2(C) - We must obey God rather than men since mankind tries to silence God’s Easter message and because, as believers, we are set free to testify to God’s truth.

WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN April 23, 2006 - EASTER 2 - Acts 5:17-32 * * * * * * * * * * Dearest Fellow-Redeemed and Saints in the Lord: As we heard these words, they probably sounded familiar to us. Maybe we even noticed two contrasting ideas that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:17-32

Denomination: Lutheran

"what Child Is This?"

Contributed by Christopher Arch on Dec 16, 2021

This is a Christmas message on the Incarnation of Christ.

Title: “What Child is This”– Incarnation of Christ Script: Jn. 1:1-5, 9-13 Type: Series – Christmas Where: GNBC 12-4-11/RW 12-20-15 Intro: “What Child is This?” is probably the most popular of the Christmas carols written by William Dix. The music, set to the English folk tune, “Greensleeves” ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Defining Our Purpose

Contributed by Rickey Broach on Dec 29, 2002

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH WORLD TODAY WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH REALLY IS IF WE ARE GOING TO SEE A REVIVAL OF LOST SOULS BEFORE JESUS COMES THE CHURCH IS GOING TO HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ITS PURPOSE AND BE MOTAVATED BY THAT PUR

DEFINING OUR PURPOSE ACTS 26:16 – 18 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:16-18

Denomination: Church Of God

The Art Of Grace

Contributed by Wann Fanwar on Mar 6, 2003

This sermon is based on the story of the woman caught in adultery recorded in John’s Gospel. The idea behind the sermon is that the way Jesus handled that situation illustrates how grace works and sets the tone for how believers ought to treat one another

THE ART OF GRACE John 7:53-8:11 At a meeting of church professionals, several issues were discussed, especially as these issues impinged upon the church’s ability to govern itself. One of the issues concerned gender relations and the propriety or impropriety of sexual relationships. A pastor in ...read more

Denomination: Adventist

Why Was Jesus Born?

Contributed by Jerry Lewis on Dec 13, 2003

The Purpose and Reason for the Coming of the Christ Child to the Earth. Why did he Come into the World? Why was He Born a Baby in the Little Town of Bethlehem? There are Many Ideas and Philosophical Answers that men propose but God Clearly tells us i

WHY WAS JESUS BORN? John 1:1-4, 14, 18 Christians Rejoice at Christmas. Rejoicing at Christmas, though, has nothing to do with Bells ringing, Snow on the ground, Presents under the tree, or Visits by Santa. The True Joy of Christmas is found in knowing that Jesus is Born, and Brings A Message ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-4, John 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Have It Your Way?

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 13, 2002

Many times we seek to understand and manipulate God by our human ideas. We need to get rid of our preconceptions about what God is doing in our lives and let Him direct how we think and pray.

Do you ever watch one of those martial arts movies – pick one, any one, it doesn’t matter – how about "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon?" There is always a scene, at least one, where the hero or heroine is taking on a whole group of bad guys or gals. Two of them square off in the middle – and when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-45

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

What Is Holistic? Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jul 15, 2008

What is does holistic mean? Following Jesus in Holistic Community. What does it mean for community to be holistic? What does this mean for you and I? Is this some type of New Age impetus? No. Holism is a very powerful biblical idea.

Following Jesus in Holistic Community What Is Holistic? 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 July 13, 2008 What is does holistic mean? Following Jesus in Holistic Community. What does it mean for community to be holistic? What does this mean for you and I? Is this some type of New Age impetus? No, not really. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Denomination: Church Of God

Cheerful Givers Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Mar 4, 2009

Sermon #4 of 6 sermons in a series entitled "I’m in!" which focuses on the ways members of a local congregation will participate in the life of the church. This one deals with stewardship issues. Ideas borrowed from Southeast Christian Church, Louisville,

CHEERFUL GIVERS II Corinthians 9:6-15 CHCC: January 25, 2009 INTRODUCTION: So far in this series we have addressed the issues of worshipping together, studying the Bible together, and serving together. The assumption is that if “I’m in” as a member of CHCC these are the things I will do on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ