Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Spiritual Versus Ordinary Human Sight

Contributed by Ray Searan on Apr 16, 2005

This is a sermon comparing and contrasting spiritual vision and ordinary human sight.

Text: Numbers 13:1-3, 25-33; Numbers 14:1-12, 36-38 Proverbs 29:18 Introduction: Briefly: there are two ways of looking at any of the circumstances in our life. We can look at it with ordinary human sight–which is based on what can be done only through human power. Alternatively, we can look at ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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

Humility

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on Jan 21, 2005

Apparently trying to humble the Corinthians, Paul makes a series of contrasts.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: A well-known Christian businessman who was visiting a church was asked to give his testimony. He said, "I have a fine family, a large house, a successful business, and a good reputation. I have plenty of money so I can support some Christian ministries very generously. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:6-13

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

God's Response To Our Sinfulness

Contributed by Ken Mowery on Dec 22, 2006

Explores the work of salvation accomplished by God in contrast to the sinfulness of mankind.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out upon us richly through ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

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

Search Diligently For The Child

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jan 5, 2008

This sermon contrasts the response of the Magi and the people of Jerusalem to the birth of Christ.

Matthew 2: 1 – 12 / Searching Diligently For The Child Intro: 2 kids decided to “play” Christmas. They wrapped the cat in “swaddling clothes” and put it in a doll cradle. The cat wasn’t into being the baby Jesus and split. The children searched the house saying, “Jesus, get back in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 29, 2007

Contrast the attitudes of the Magi and the "Good and the Great" to Jesus, the Son of God

HB & GD 30-12-07 Epiphany Mt 2: 1-23 I’d like to look at the Epiphany story this morning Story: The Readers’ Digest once asked this question: Have you ever imagined what would have happened if there had been three wise women instead of three wise men at the Epiphany? They suggested that if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: Anglican

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

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

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

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

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

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