Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Spiritual Complacency Series

Contributed by Klaus Mehrl on Jul 12, 2005

This Sermon contrasts the spiritual choices made by Lot, whose family was destroyed and Abraham. A serious Father’s Day message.

On this Father’s Day, and as we continue our series called "A Series of Unfortunate Behaviors", I want us to take a look, as it relates especially to fathers – who are the God ordained heads of their households – to look at the subject of Spiritual Complacency." And I want this to be a message that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-29

Denomination: Lutheran

A Genuine Miracle Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 16, 2004

Sermon contrasts the characteristics of this miracle with magical phenomena in much of the popular media of today such as "Harry Potter" "Crossing Over" etc...

A Genuine Miracle Fortifying the Foundations # 26 John 11:38-54 1-4-04 At the beginning of the service we read our text in John 11:38-54[1]. It is the story of Jesus’ last great miracle before his crucifixion: The resurrection of Lazarus. Miracles play a central role in John’s gospel. In ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, John 11:38-54

Denomination: Charismatic

A New Heart Or A Wicked Heart

Contributed by William Sessums, Jr. on Apr 28, 2001

Contrasts and compares a new heart given by God to the old sinful heart with Scriptures from Jeremiah, King David, and Paul.

"A New Heart or a Wicked Heart" Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9-"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" Being well aware of where you are this morning, you may be wondering what this scripture has to say to you. After all aren’t we all Christians? Won’t ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:9, Psalm 51:10

Denomination: Church Of God

I Know The Ways Of God! Series

Contributed by A. Todd Coget on May 24, 2001

This sermon contrasts the ways of God and the ways of this world and how to tell the difference when we encounter them in our lives.

What Do You Know? I Know the Ways of God! 1 John 5:1-12 May 20, 2001 Intro: A. [Unhappiness at Home and Work, Citation: Sally Pook, London Daily Telegraph (10-16-00); submitted by Alan Wilson, Nyon, Switzerland] Ten percent of the British people believe they would be better off dead, according to ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

Sermon contrasts religious form with spiritual substance with reference made to decline and need for revival that occurred in Israel’s history.

The Real Deal James 1:25-27 5-25-08 Our story opens this morning in 2 Samuel 6:12-15 “Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25-27

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is Christianity All About

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

This is a book sermon to introduce the major themes of the book of Ephesians. It is built on a series of contrasts between secular faith and Biblical christianity.

What Is Christianity All About? Book Sermon in Ephesians Discussion: What is Christianity all about? Living dead “You were dead in your transgressions and sins … 1) It’s not about what we’ve been … It’s about what we are. “God, who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ.” (Eph 2:1a, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thanksgiving Or Complaining

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Nov 15, 2007

Thanksgiving or complaining -- these words express two contrasting attitudes found in God’s children in regard to His dealings with them.

THE SIN OF COMPLAINING - THE OPPOSITE OF THANKSGIVING Lamentations 3:39 Thanksgiving or complaining -- these words express two contrasting attitudes found in God’s children in regard to His dealings with them. The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:39, Lamentations 3:39-40

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness: A Culture Or A Lifestyle?

Contributed by Steve Greene on Jan 14, 2008

This message looks at eight characteristics we often find in holiness culture and then contrasts them with the characteristics of an authentic holy life.

Holiness: A Culture or a Lifestyle? Christianity has an image problem in America today. Many, who are outside the church, are convinced that lifestyle does not line up with beliefs for the average churchgoer. As a result, Christians have acquired a hypocritical image. The perception of those ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Denomination: Nazarene

Do You Know God? Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Sep 10, 2007

The contrast between God’s love for us and the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. a grave warning against syncretism and coming judgment.

Hosea 3.1-4.12 How well do you know God? I remember seeing a programme on television once where an old man through tear stained eyes spoke of his love for his wife. What became apparent over time was that she had left him on many occasions and led a quite decadent and immoral life. Yet each time ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Faith And Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The practical faith of Rahab stands in contrast to the platitudes of the person who sent the hungry empty away, and failed to clothe the naked.

FAITH AND WORKS. James 2:14-26. A person is making what seems to be a credible claim to “faith” - but (as yet) there is no evidence in their lives of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. They seem to have all the right words, but (so far) “works” are lacking. James 2:14. What is the profit in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Freedom

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 3, 2006

Independence Day sermon using a Monopoly Board to contrast what we call freedom with what the Bible declares is freedom.

What makes you feel really free? --Just over 643,000 American soldiers have given their lives in various wars since the birth of our nation in the pursuit and defense of freedom. --Patrick Henry was a famous statesman and orator of colonial Virginia. In 1764 he was elected to the House of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Grumbling Before A Gracious God Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 27, 2011

Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace.

Title: Grumbling Before a Gracious God Text: Exodus 17:1-7 Thesis: Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace. Lenten Series: Reflecting, Repenting and Returning to God The Lenten Season is a time for reflection, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Woman, Your Faith Has Saved You Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 13, 2013

We can learn much about faith by contrasting the behavior of the woman with the ointment and the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner.

What did faith do to save this woman? Why did she go in peace? We can learn much by contrasting her behavior, as Jesus did, with that of the Pharisee. First, she recognized her sin, whatever it was. And, second she did not discount the sin; she took responsibility for it. The Pharisee did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Catholic

Parable Of A Father's Love

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

The awesome love and forgiveness of a Father for his wandering son and the contrast between a repentant sinner and a self-righteous older brother.

TITLE: Parable of a Father's Love TEXT: Luke 15:11-32 INTRO: The Bible is full of wonderful stories. There are stories of Adventure, Romance, Tragedy and Triumph. Today, we look at one of the best known stories in the entire Bible. It has been called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," but it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Going To Follow God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2022

King Ahaz provides a surprising contrast to the kingdom of Israel as we see a dramatic example of the limits of our traditional morality.

IT'S OBVIOUS, RIGHT? “Good people” are more likely to follow God. - We have a traditional morality with “good people.” The respectable citizens are more likely to follow God. TWO EXAMPLES: 1. KING AHAZ HAD A GOOD HERITAGE BUT TERRIBLE BEHAVIOR. - 2 Chronicles 28:1-4, 16-25. - Came from a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 28:1-27

Denomination: Baptist