Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Redefining Significance (How To Surprise Your Biggest Critics) Acts Part 7 Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Jan 15, 2005

contrasting God’s and the world’s understanding of a significant life...

Redefining significance: how to surprise your biggest critics Acts Series: ¡§Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian¡¨ Part 7 Pastor Jeff Christopherson - February 23, 2003 Acts 4:1-22 I. HOW OUR WORLD DEFINES SIGNIFICANCE: 1. Success. (People speak of my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To The Kingship Of Jesus

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Dec 28, 2008

Contrasting 3 different responses to Jesus... Herod, the Religious, and the Magi.

Introduction They say there are 3 kinds of people: Those who MAKE things happen. Those who WATCH what happens. And those who WONDER what happened. And in our Bible reading today there are 3 kinds of people. Those who HATED what happened. Those who MISSED what happened. And those who LOVED what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Weeping Prophet

Contributed by Colin Bain on Feb 24, 2007

Describes and contrasts the hearts of the Pastor, the People and God, leading to reconciliation.

Heart of the matter Have you ever tried to buy something in an electronics store recently? I don’t know which training program they are using, but it seem that they work on the principle that if the salesman talks long enough about stuff the customer doesn’t care about, then the customer buys ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:1-6

Denomination: Salvation Army

Four Faces Of Love

Contributed by Gary Kins on Feb 7, 2003

A sermon describing the charcateristics of biblical love in contrast to worldly love.

The Four Faces of Love Introduction: Valentine - an amatory or sentimental card, token or gift sent by one person to another on St. Valentine’s Day; a sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine’s Day; the object of one’s affection. St. Valentine - Valentinus -- Christian martyr, c270 A.D. -- ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Romans 5:1-11, 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Good Friday

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Mar 26, 2013

The image of the cross and skull bones compared and contrasted with Jesus on the cross.

Good Friday Text: Luke 23:33 Place: St. Peter, Medicine Hat Date: March 29, 2013 The procession ended at the “Place of the Skull”. Seems appropriate for what was going to happen there. Did you know that some crosses bear the sign of the skull and cross bones? The symbol of the skull ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

People Can Stifle God's Love Series

Contributed by Paul Shafit on Dec 1, 2009

The contrast between legalism and loving obedience of God’s Word

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it." He continued, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus’ Word To Those At The Top And The Bottom

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 15, 2014

This passage is a "sandwich," which leads to some significant parallels and contrasts.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING THIS PASSAGE: This story is a sandwich. - What does that mean? This is one of the multiple places in the Bible where a story is begun, then interrupted by another story, and then the first story is revisited and concluded. When that happens, there is always a great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Love Of Truth

Contributed by Louis J Locke on Sep 11, 2024

The ways of the wise - the love of truth: Contrasting dimensions of truth and lies

I. The Person & Source of Truth - (what is true in any matter under consideration) A. God 1. The Father: …the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father. ~John 15:26 2. The Son: Jesus said to Peter, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:17, Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 12:22

Denomination: Foursquare

From Victim To Victor: The Widows Mite

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 6, 2018

A contrast between acquisitive Scribes, and a gift given out of penury.

FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR: THE WIDOW’S MITE. Mark 12:38-44. In our previous reading, Jesus pronounced one Scribe, ‘Not far from the kingdom of God’ (Mark 12:34). Yet Jesus’ opinion of the Scribes in general was not unlike His opinion of the Pharisees (cf. Luke 11:43). ‘The Scribes and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Status Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 25, 2019

Our status as unique children of God – in contrast to unbelievers – carries with it a host of implications.

Status (I John 2:28-3:3) 1. A not-so-bright woman noticed that her coworker has a thermos, so she asks her what it's for. She responds, "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold." The not-so-bright woman immediately buys one for herself. The next day, she goes to work and proudly ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Tale Of Two Thieves

Contributed by Robbie Parsons on Apr 4, 2004

The Bible is full of contrasts. This message talks about the contrast in the two theives. They started out the same, but ended up very different. Explore the process and see how they ended up.

INTRO The Bible is an interesting book of contrasts. Among many, you have the following: Cain and Abel—the first two sons of Adam, one choosing a good path, the other choosing an evil path. Abraham and Lot—two relatives, one selflessly gives up everything for God, the other selfishly follows his ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

Have You Any Idea How Much God Has Paid To Set Us Free; Free To Do What?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 29, 2016

To whom to we go is a great answer to a very difficult question, it sounds almost defeatist, but it is really a revelation so strong that it will change your life so that we are no longer slaves to this word, belonging to another.

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, and St John’s in Girvan Ayrshire, Scotland on the 26th August 2012; both churches being Scottish Episcopal Churchs in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. The readings for today are: 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 Psalm ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Episcopal

Focus On The Finish Line -- Wait Vs Worry Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

2 CONTRASTING RESPONSES TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED: PEACEFULLY PERSEVERE VS. FRANTICALLY FRET

BIG IDEA: 2 CONTRASTING RESPONSES TO THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED: PEACEFULLY PERSEVERE VS. FRANTICALLY FRET Or put more simply: WAIT VS. WORRY INTRODUCTION: The middle of a race is no time to stop running and evaluate where you stand! THE APPARENT PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED SHOULD NEVER DISTRACT ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Contrasts Between People Who Do Things Right Vs People Who Focus On Doing The Best Things

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The following two lists seeks to contrasts the kinds of people who choose to just do "right things" as opposed to people who focus on choosing to do the "best things". Only through the leading of the Spirit of God and obedience to the will of God are we a

Perhaps one of the biggest limitations most Christians are facing today is to make the best choices over those which are merely good. The following two lists seeks to contrasts the kinds of people who choose to just do "right things" as opposed to people who focus on choosing to do the "best ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 4:21–29 - Message 16 – The Argument Of Contrasts: Which Woman Are You Following? Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jun 18, 2024

Two ways, two sons, two destinies, two mothers but one father – Hagar and Sarah being the two mothers. Paul develops this position of two systems, one under bondage and one according to promise and freedom. Christians can place themselves under bondage.

THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 4:21–29 - MESSAGE 16 – THE ARGUMENT OF CONTRASTS: WHICH WOMAN ARE YOU FOLLOWING? Part 1 – Galatians 4 verses 21 – 23 We come now to the latter part of chapter 3 and the continuing evidence why Christians are not under Law but walk by grace through the promises ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21, Isaiah 55:10-11, Galatians 3:1-3, Galatians 4:22-23, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Genesis 16:3, Genesis 16:4, Genesis 16:5, Genesis 17:19, Galatians 4:24-26, Hebrews 12:18-24, 1 Samuel 2:5, Galatians 4:27-28, Isaiah 54:1, Galatians 4:29, Genesis 21:8-10, Galatians 5:16-18, Galatians 4:30-31, Genesis 21:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational