Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

The Marks Of A Spiritual Person Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jun 4, 2024

Abram settled his tents in the place that God had called him. From beginning to the end of this story, though he failed many times, he always built and alter to the Lord.

As we spoke about Genesis 12 last week, we saw that there was a famine in the land and Abram took a natural, commonsensical path and made his way down to Egypt. While in Egypt, we didn’t see Abram erect monuments to or call upon his God - instead he took what he felt was the smartest, most ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Foundations - Escaping Hell's Fury Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 18, 2002

Why did Jesus preach about Hell, and how can we be sure to avoid this terrible place?

OPENING: Looking over the rim of the volcano’s crater, the American tourist remarked, "Reminds one of Hell, doesn’t it?" The guide threw up his hands and exclaimed, "These Americans, they’ve been everywhere." APPLICATION: The tourist was noting that the volcano’s pit was not a comfortable place. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

One Small Boy's Lunch

Contributed by C Jordan on Sep 8, 2008

Jesus has called all believers to follow His example and serve all of those around us. Serving is one of the best ways to grow spiritually, and overcome boredom in the church.

ONE SMALL BOY’S LUNCH THE BIG IDEA: Jesus has called all believers to follow His example and serve all of those around us. Serving is one of the best ways to grow spiritually, and overcome boredom in the church. KEY TEXT: “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: *other

Freedom From Religion

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 4, 2006

Following Christ is a relationship not a religion.

Sunday Morning 8/12/01-Col. 2-Freedom From Religion Key idea: Following X is a relationship not a religion. Video Clip: Matrix 1:37:20-1:38:19 Neo confused about his identity, doesn’t understand who he really is, we as xians suffer from the same problem. Don’t know or understand who we are. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8-13

Denomination: *other

Adopted Series

Contributed by Jim Kilson on Apr 22, 2014

Part 3 of 5 in a series on our identity in Christ based on the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8.

INTRODUCTION: Early one summer morning a baby was born to a 15 year old drug addict, a young girl who was woefully unprepared to be a parent. She tried to walk the line that runs between being a teen and an adult, but the teenager in her won out, because she was still just that, a teenager. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-17

Denomination: Christian Church

Living The A.d. Life Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Dec 9, 2009

God is calling us to leave the B.C. life and live the A.D. life. Life without God is no life at all! His plan for us is to come alive in Christ Jesus and get close to Him.

Living the A.D. Life Ephesians 2:1-10 Intro: In Eph. 1 we talked about the benefits of being in Christ. Today we will see that this theme continues through chapter 2 as well. We weren’t always in Christ. In fact, the only way a person can be in Christ is to call on Him in faith, believing that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Cowboy Postcard

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 30, 2013

In the old silent movies you could tell the good guys by their white hats and the villains by their black hats. There are two "good guys" and one "bad guy" in this short postcard. This Bible study examines them and their character.

The Cowboy Postcard Series: New Testament Postcards Chuck Sligh January 27, 2013 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to 3 John INTRODUCTION We have a tendency to look at the past through rose-tinted glasses. Have you ever heard anyone talk about “the good old days”? Well, the good old ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Voice Of Abundant Life

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on May 7, 2017

Which life are you living: one of abundance or one of achievement? What keeps you from living the abundant life Jesus intends?

Cattle rustling is a major problem in Uganda. Every day the Ugandan army tries to reunite cattle with their owners. The biggest difficulty lies in proving ownership. BBC News reported how one elderly lady settled the issue: The BBC's Nathan Etungu witnessed the process beginning in a village north ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-18

Denomination: Other

Jesus, Our Priest And Peer Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 19, 2016

Life’s problems may overwhelm us, but we have the ultimate Friend in high places, Jesus, who is both our High Priest and Peer.

Jesus, Our Priest and Peer (Hebrews 4:14-16) 1. There I was is sitting at the malt counter, looking at my malted shake when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my malt and drinks it down "Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears. "Come on, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 18, 2019

Although many of our struggles as followers of Jesus are with the world, the flesh, and the devil, sometimes they are about monitoring our inner affections and deep seated thoughts.

Our Subjective Spiritual Struggles: They Matter (I John 3:19-24, 4:7-21) 1. Today I begin my message with some comments about modern art. It’s easy to understand modern art. If it hangs on a wall, it’s a painting. If you can walk around it, it’s a sculpture. How many surrealists does it take to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Becoming Whole - From Shadow To Light Series

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Apr 19, 2024

What if the second half of the Psalm happened there in the darkest valley? The 23rd Psalm teaches us that God is with us, no matter what.

When I was young, one of the early movies I saw was called Pollyanna which was released in 1960 by Disney. I mentioned on Easter that I used to watch the Wonderful World of Disney with my family on Sunday night, and it was there that I saw the movie. For those who have never actually seen the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Magnificent Meekness

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on May 18, 2024

Biblical meekness is having the power to act yet holding back until we are led to act by the Holy Spirit. This is magnificent meekness and it is different than potential. God grants us the power of His meekness today and fully equips us to do whatever He is calling us to do.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 ESV) What does it mean to be meek in a biblical sense? Dr. Richard Tow describes it well in his book, “Beatitudes of Christ.” On page 65, he says, “Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is a manifestation of spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5, Judges 21:25, Ephesians 6:10, Psalm 23:3

The Great Longing Of God

Contributed by Matthew Grise on Dec 29, 2008

God longs for the full devotion of his people.

INTRODUCTION We now return to our study of the book of James entitled: Living the Real Life: Cultivating a Faith that Works. Remember as we were working through the letter we were identifying the different ways James says that true, genuine, saving faith reveals itself. We have seen everything from ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Your King Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 8, 2022

Zechariah 9:9 predicts the First Advent of Christ and specifically his Triumphant Entry on the first Palm Sunday. Message expounds this promise and its fulfillment in the New Testament.

Intro Our previous study concluded in Zechariah 9:8 with God supernaturally protecting Jerusalem from a brutal attack by Alexander the Great. Now in verse 9 Zechariah declares the coming of Messiah and the manner in which he will come. His manner contrasts dramatically with that of Alexander. Like ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, John 12:12-19, Psalm 132:11, Genesis 3:15, Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Get Around The Law

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 8, 2019

A study in the book of Esther 8: 1 – 17

Esther 8: 1 – 17 How to get around the law 1 On that day King Ahasuerus gave Queen Esther the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews. And Mordecai came before the king, for Esther had told how he was related to her. 2 So the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it ...read more

Scripture: Esther 8:8

Denomination: Calvary Chapel