Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Church Leaders Serving The People

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 16, 2023

In the foot-washing story, Jesus exemplifies servant leadership. Our church leaders should be exercising this idea.

Church Leaders Serving the People John 13:1-11 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 During ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-11

Denomination: United Methodist

The Work Of Christ Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 5, 2008

In Romans 5:12-21 the apostle Paul contrasts the work of Adam with the work of Christ. This sermon examines the effectiveness, extent, efficacy, essence, and energy of the work of Christ.

Scripture In Romans 5:12-21 the apostle Paul presents Adam and Christ as two “representative figures” whose acts determine the destiny of all who belong to them. Last week we examined “The Work of Adam” in Romans 5:12-14. And today, we shall explore “The Work of Christ” in Romans 5:15-21. Let’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Few Small Coins Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jan 5, 2012

Do you struggle with the idea that your giving makes no difference? What difference does our giving make in the Grand scheme of things.

Have you seen the Television show, Storage Wars? Storage Wars is a reality television series that began on the A&E Network premiering in 2010. The show features two auctioneers and 5 auction hunters -- Dave Hester, Darrell Sheets, Barry Weiss, and Jarrod Schulz and Brandi Passante. (If you watch ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Guarding Your Mind: Having It Open But Not At Both Ends Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 16, 2024

In a world flooded with competing ideas, philosophies, and beliefs: "Having an open mind doesn’t mean having it open at both ends."

Guarding Your Mind: Having It Open but Not at Both Ends Proverbs 4:23, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8 (NLT) Introduction: Today, we are addressing a critical topic for Christians in a world flooded with competing ideas, philosophies, and beliefs: "Having an open mind doesn’t mean having ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Romans 12:2, Psalm 119:105, 1 John 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Light The Way Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon explores the idea that the meek, broken-hearted, hungry, peacemakers, merciful, and persecuted are the salt and light of the world, tasked with guiding others towards Christ.

Have you ever been lost? What did you do? How did you find your way again? Share about a time when you were lost. Where were you and what was happening? How did you find your way again? Did you ask someone for help? Did you get out a map? Did you ask Siri for directions? Make the point that you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-20

Topics: Salt And Light, Kingdom Blessings, Spiritual Guidance

You Had To Act

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 21, 2015

Many who encountered Jesus found it impossible to remain neutral about Him. Today everyone has their own idea about Jesus. Some of these ideas are based on what others have said and some of them are their own thoughts. What is your public stand on Jesus?

Opening illustration: A US congressman, John Lewis, was 23 years old when he participated in the historic 1963 civil rights “March on Washington” led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Half a century later, journalist Bill Moyers asked Lewis how he was affected by Dr. King’s ‘I ...read more

Scripture: John 7:40-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Noah's Ark: A Symbol Of God's Sovereignty

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 2, 2023

The idea for the design and building of the Ark did not originate in the mind of Noah. The Ark was God's idea and preconceived plan of rescue for anyone who would enter to escape the wrath to come. God has everything under control and will bring everything to a conclusion on His terms.

The Bible says that Noah built the Ark, but did not come up with the idea. The Ark was from the mind and heart of God. If God had not spoken to Noah, he would have died in the flood along with his pagan neighbors. Genesis 6:8 says that Noah "found grace in the eyes of the LORD". This ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:8, John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 5:20, Ephesians 4:30, John 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Lost & Found Department

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 13, 2016

Luke 15 could aptly be called the Lost & Found chapter of the Gospels. Looking at the similarities & contrasts of these 3 stories – the Lost Sheep, the lost Coin and the lost Son.

GOD’S LOST & FOUND DEPARTMENT Luke 15:1-32 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CAUGHT IN THE ACT 1. There are times when we start to look down on someone else, and we find that we ourselves are guilty of the same things. 2. A third-grade teacher had three boys named William in her class. Because she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Evidence Of Faith

Contributed by Kevin Malone on Aug 26, 2007

This is an expository sermon from James explaining that good works are the result of God-given faith, and contrasting this true faith from God with a false faith of man.

Sermon on James and Faith In the English language, there are many different applications of the word “work”. My children just finished some lovely artwork. I like hamburgers with “the works”. It’s almost the 4th of July, and I’m looking foreword to both a day of from work, and also lighting off ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shady Deal Series

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Feb 14, 2005

The story of the shrewd manager presents contrasts in persons, amount, stewardship, and ownership to show the responisiility we have to use God’s gifts in His service.

THE PARABLE OF THE SHADY DEAL LUKE 16:1-12 INTRO.: Where did the expression "shady deal" come from? Maybe because it is a business deal consummated in the shadows. Maybe because wrong is black and right is white and a shady deal is something between. For whatever reason, we call a questionable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Control Series

Contributed by Alan Tison on Jun 19, 2006

This is the first of six sermons dealing with general Christian principles. The idea for the message came from the keys of the computer keyboard; Escape, Control, End, just to name 3

Introduction Several years ago, there was a slogan put out by one of the shoe manufactures, which simply said – LIFE IS DIFFICULT - PLAY HARD! There was a lot of truth in that slogan – LIFE IS HARD…Every age group has its unique set of challenges. From the teenager navigating high school to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Which Gospel

Contributed by Mike Parry on Jun 16, 2006

This was part of our Da Vinci Code sermon series. We examined the Gnostic gospels, using primary sources and the early church fathers and contrasted them with the New Testament Gospels.

“Which Gospel” Truth Behind the Da Vinci Code FCC – May 28, 2006 Introduction: Today we are wrapping up our 4 week sermon series on the Da Vinci Code. Why have we been talking about a book of fiction? Do you know that a week ago, the movie’s opening weekend brought in $77 million…that is second ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Heaven Like? Part 1 - Kingdom Come Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Feb 11, 2008

What is Heaven Like? This is a question that is not easily answered as there are a large variety of ideas in history/Scripture. First we examine the relationship between heaven and the Kingdom.

The Burning Question What Is Heaven Like? Part 1 – Kingdom Come February 10, 2008 Various Scriptures Our first question is “What is heaven like?” A pretty tough question and one frankly that has been wrestled with and even debated by Christians and other religions for centuries. We will look at ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:3

Denomination: Church Of God

Fighting The Self-Centered Tendencies Of Facebook, Twitter, And Youtube Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2013

A look at the self-centeredness that is encouraged by Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The message then details what the Biblical idea of servanthood and how that leads to a life of impact.

THE MOST COMMON "PRODUCT" OF FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND YOUTUBE: We are self-centered, endlessly focusing attention on ourselves. - Philippians 2:3-4. - Let me acknowledge first that I am not saying that Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are intrinsically evil. They’re not. I use each and there ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Supremacy And Sufficiency Of Christ

Contributed by Michael Bird on Jan 15, 2002

This sermon outlines the main ideas of Col 1:15-20 emphasising the pre-emminence of Christ over the cosmos.

Col 1:15-20 (Part 1) Intro [Illustration] When I was in the Army me and a few mates were tasked with piqueting a truck laden with ammunition on a Friday night. Well, as you can imagine most young men had other things planned rather than guarding a truck on a Friday night. So we sat around ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational