Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Love Mercy

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 25, 2023

To be on the mission of mercy is to love being merciful. Some key ideas that come to mind when I think about this...

THE MISSION OF MERCY Introduction Back in March I sent an email to our elders that has remained on my mind ever since. In part, it read: "I've been contemplating what Forsythe has become over the past couple of years. Our church has really embraced a mission of mercy to the hurting ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:8, Luke 18:13, Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Kind Of Church Does God Want This Church To Be?

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

I want to talk to you about God’s church. Folks have some strange ideas about the church.

Illus: Did you hear about Cowboy Joe, who went to church for the first time? Cowboy Joe was telling his friend Charlie about his first visit to the big-city church. • He said, "When I got there, they had me park my old truck in the corral," Charlie said, "You mean the parking ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Perfect Or Finished?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 26, 2023

"Perfect" is a single word with a huge load of meaning. Do we have the right idea about the word?

Perfect or Finished? I have to admit my thoughts and feelings when I first heard the Biblical injunction from Jesus, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48) I felt horrible; I thought I was doomed. Hell was to be my ultimate destination. Perfect is a single word with a huge ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:48, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Psalm 146:6-10, Zephaniah 3:12-13, Zephaniah 2:3, 1 Timothy 2:4, John 19:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Essence Of Obedience

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Mar 31, 2024

We have our own idea of what the essence of obedience is. But, according to Jesus, just what is it?

“Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ’If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Heaven Comes To Earth Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

The main idea is that the kingdom of God is available to everyone, regardless of their status or background, and it is about heaven coming to earth and transforming lives.

Today, we're gonna talk about Christmas! But not just any Christmas story, we're gonna dive into the real meaning behind it and how it's all about heaven coming to earth. So, let's get started! Here’s what I want you to walk away with: Christmas is about God's kingdom breaking into our world. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Topics: Divine Kingdom, Spiritual Availability, God's Reign, Universal Salvation

Unhindered Gospel Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

The main idea is that the gospel is for everyone, and as followers of Christ, we are called to share it without hindrance to all nations, tribes, and tongues.

Today, we're gonna talk about the gospel. That's the good news about Jesus and how He came to save us all. But here's the cool part - this gospel is for everyone, no matter who you are or where you're from. It's like a light that shines in the darkness, and we get to share it with others. So let's ...read more

Topics: Evangelism, Spiritual Freedom, Gospel Message, Unhindered Faith

A Prayer Of Thanks Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Nov 13, 2024

The main idea is to learn to be grateful for what we have and find contentment in it, rather than constantly wanting more.

Hey guys, let's talk about something we all struggle with - always wanting more. You know, that new phone, the latest sneakers, or even more followers on Instagram. It's like we're stuck on a treadmill, always chasing after the next big thing. But have you ever stopped to think about what you ...read more

Topics: Materialism, Consumer Culture, Mindful Living, Simplicity

Praising The Real Jesus

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 4, 2006

Big Idea: The People and Events around Palm Sunday and what we call the Triumphal Entry call us to praise Jesus for the King he really us and not for who we want.

Political parties and their “parties” confetti, hoopla, nice nice, we are for things, until they affect us in a way we don’t want i saw Bob Dole in Bloomington IL. Hoopla surrounding him. Shake his (good) hand. He is revered and revealed as King of Israel AND the World, even if some are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Love

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

Love is a very popular idea in today’s world, it’s on everyone’s lips. Songs are sung, books are written, and films are made all about love. But, we often forget that love is a truly Christian idea. It is seen in its fullness only in Christ. Love origin

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army Love is a very popular idea in today’s world, it’s on everyone’s lips. Songs are sung, books are written, and films are made all about love. But, we often forget that love is a truly Christian idea. It is seen in its fullness only in Christ. Love ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

Beautiful In God's Sight

Contributed by Tim Diack on May 9, 2011

The world in which we live isn't shy about telling us what a beautiful woman looks like but is this the beauty that God would have us chase after? God's idea of beauty differs vastly from society's idea of beauty - but which beauty are we running after?

Beautiful in God’s Sight - 2 Timothy 1:3-10 - May 8, 2011 Mother’s Day Well I think it is pretty safe to say that “beauty” is big business these days, isn’t it? Would you women agree with that statement? When you take into account everything from hair care, to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-10

Denomination: *other

God And Children

Contributed by William Mouser on Sep 24, 2006

In contrast to the ambition to acquire the applause and approval of men, Jesus turns his disciples toward the powerless -- toward children -- as exemplars of Himself, His Father, and the ones his disciples should seek to serve.

Psalm 54, Wisdom 1:16 - 2:22, James 3:16-4:6, Mark 9:30-37 Apostles, Christians, and Children Sometimes, the disciples of Jesus don’t come off very well in the gospels, and today’s Gospel lesson is one of those times. Jesus tells them again, as he is doing more and more often at this point in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Living The Life Of The Privileged Series

Contributed by J. Richard Lord, Jr. on Feb 16, 2002

Most of us do not have any idea of how the privileged in our society live. Jesus, in this Beatitude tells us that we can live the life of the privileged.

(Sermon #3 of Sermon On the Mount Series) Parkview Church of the Nazarene J. Richard Lord, Jr. Living The Life Of The Privileged Matthew 5:3 Intro I don’t think I know anybody that has been born into privilege. There might be some of you that has met someone in your life that you could say has ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Holiness

Give Your Life

Contributed by Jeremiah Parker on Mar 6, 2008

Our society identifies with the expression "Live your life!". However, the message of Christ to his disciples is "Give your life!". (A contrast between heathen and Christian power)

Give Your Life The world might identify with the expression, “Live your life!” Text: Mark 10:42-45 I. Heathen government a. Power corrupts i. “Nothing, indeed, but the possession of some power can with any certainty discover what at the bottom is the true character of any man.” ii. Delilah’s ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Enoch Or Eve?"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Jun 5, 2007

With this message I want to contrast the difference between living a life away from the presence of the Lord, and living a life in the abiding presence of the Lord as illustrated in the lives of Enoch and Eve.

Title: “Enoch and Eve” Can you imagine the dinner conversation that Adam and Eve must have had the day that she taken of the forbidden. Adam must have asked Eve about the Devil. What is he like? What Eve might have said to her husband? Satan is So Wonderful? (Gen 3:6 KJV) And when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist