Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Abundant Life Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of abundant life in Jesus, contrasting worldly views with spiritual fulfillment, and ties it to the hope and promise of Easter.

Welcome church! Today we’re continuing through our series, Sunday is Coming, where we look at Easter and its long-lasting effects for those who believe. Last week we looked back to the empty tomb and remembered that it is full of hope for those who believe. The death and resurrection of Jesus are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10, Revelation 21:15-21

Topics: Abundant Life, Easter, Earthly Idols

Sermon Series: Sunday's Coming

Superman Vs. Jesus

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Jan 9, 2011

Comparing and contrasting Superman and Jesus, concluding that -- Jesus is the superhero who delivers God’s justice to the world in God’s way.

Super heroes are popular these days. One of my favorite shows on TV is No Ordinary Family -- an ordinary enough family which somehow ends up with extraordinary super-powers -- and how they are struggle to figure out the best way to use their powers for good -- without imploding the family. NBC is ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: *other

Our Passionate Lord

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on Mar 15, 2016

The contrast between lamb and lion in John 2. Do not try to domesticate Christ. Jesus can be angry. Jesus is passionate. Jesus is powerful.

OUR PASSIONATE LORD John 2:13-22, 24-25; 12:37 1 Cor. 1:18-25 Mark 3:5 Rev. 6:15-17 Ps 69 The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is Book 3 of “The Chronicles of Narnia”. At the end of this wonderful story, C. S. Lewis describes an encounter between the two human heroes Edmund and ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

True Love In A Nutshell

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Jan 12, 2003

Four practical words built around the idea that true love manifests itself in action.

- - - - - - - - - Unless otherwise noted all scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation of the Bible. - - - - - - - - - Bud was a factory worker with more than a slight resemblance to Archie Bunker. Every single day he’d come home sweaty and dirty. He’d go in the back door, grab a beer ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24, 1 John 3:11-21

Denomination: *other

Let Us Rejoice, For He Has Come Series

Contributed by Scott Sharpes on Dec 18, 2001

A worship sermon for Christmas emphasizing the idea of "O Come Let Us Adore Him."

Title: Let Us Rejoice, For He Has Come 12/23/01 West Side Text: Luke 2:8-14 A.M. Service Purpose: Christmas Sunday sermon dealing with the idea of worship. ************************************************************* Introduction: Christmas Robert Fulghum in It Was On Fire ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Should We Invest In Humanity?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jan 10, 2001

This is a follow-up message to Vacation Bible School. It is the idea of investing our lives in people.

SHOULD WE INVEST IN HUMANITY? Mark 10:13-16 INTRO.- Since we just finished VBS this last week I want to begin by sharing a few more children’s stories. ILL.- A lady said, “As we drove home from church one afternoon, we were talking about a friend who was baptized that day. We spoke of how proud ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Wine Runs Out

Contributed by Ernest Flores on Oct 18, 2000

There are several interesting ideas in this text, one of which is how this is an example of Jesus’ family relationships.

There are several interesting ideas in this text, one of which is how this is an example of Jesus’ family relationships. Jesus’ mother tried to tell her son what to do concerning his earthly ministry, and Jesus gave a response that seems to have been less than respectful. He says in verse 4, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Why There Are Tears In Heaven

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 22, 2004

This sermon looks at the popular (but biblically inaccurate) idea that there are no tears in heaven right now.

Often at funerals you will hear the pastor say: “There are no tears in heaven.” - This is one of those statements we make without any biblical justification because we are not careful with biblical promises. - This takes a biblical promise out of its historical context and applies it ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Baptist