Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

God Our Protector; Not Our Bully Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of God as our protector who meets us in our current state, leads us on a journey of transformation and healing, and never shames us, contrasting this with the shaming behavior of the Pharisees.

Hello Church! I want to ask you a question today. Have you ever had an earworm? I’m willing to bet almost all of us have had an earworm at one time or another, and most likely many of us get multiple earworms every year. I know I do! Do you know what an earworm is? If you ever get an earworm, the ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-10

Topics: God's Protection, Spiritual Healing, Conviction Vs Shame

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

Is It Worth It?

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jun 25, 2001

An inductive message using the biblical narrative and contrast to lead individuals to the conclusion that no matter what problems may arise it is always worth the effort to be a church where God can change lives.

Intro: His mother called him "rude," his wife referred to him as "arrogant" and his caddie said he was "impatient." That is until he turned to Christ. The Gospel changed Payne Stewart’s life. "There used to be a void in my life," Stewart told Sports Illustrated, ’The peace I have now is so ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Secret Of True Happiness

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The psalmist uses the contrasting illustrations of a tree and chaff to share the Secret of True Happiness, telling us what it is, where it’s to be found and why we need it.

THE SECRET OF TRUE HAPPINESS If the mythical man or woman in the street was asked what he or she longed for most, I expect the answer, in many cases, would be “happiness”. Jesus had something to say about this in His great Sermon on the Mount when He said: “happy”: "Blessed are ... the poor in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 1 "Two Paths, Two Destinations"

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

Psalm 1 tells the tale of two lives being lived in stark contrast of one another. It is the tale of life of the "God-Centered" or the Godly Life and the life of the "Self-Centered" or the Ungodly Life.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: [Music Video - Two sets of Jones’] Transition: We live in a world that is filled with contrasts . . . Rich and Poor; Big and Little; Good and Bad; Black and White; Day and Night; Light and Darkness. Just as this music presentation sets before us two paths, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

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

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

Chameleon - Do Not Conform Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the idea of not conforming to the negative patterns of the world, but instead intentionally transforming ourselves into healthier, fuller lives as God's children, as instructed by Paul in the book of Romans.

A young, 16-year-old Salvation Army soldier was walking to the church from his house for a Bible study one day. In those days, soldiers wore uniforms to every church function. On route to the church, there were 12 or 15 of his peers hanging outside the pool hall that he had to pass. His classmates ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Topics: Transformation, Unhealthy Patterns, Full Life

Sermon Series: Chameleon

When You're The Problem: The Fallout Of A Self-Centered Existence Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

Our aim this morning is to sniff out the barnacles of pride inside of each us. Today’s Big Idea: Pride causes division; humility draws the gaze of God.

Paul writes to the church at Corinth to help genuine believers solve their divisions. When you read today’s words from Paul to the church at Corinth, you need to prepare for the knife. Paul writes as one who is taking a scalpel in hand to perform surgery on the church he founded by the grace of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

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

Don't You Know Who I Am?

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 24, 2006

Rather than demand His rights as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus expected no special treatment - in fact, He turned the idea of service upside down.

Don’t You Know Who I Am? TCF Maundy Thursday sermon April 13, 2006 You may have heard on the news the past few weeks about the congresswoman from Georgia, who tried to walk past Capitol security without proper identification. When the security officer tried to stop her, she struck him. Though ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Shall We Sin That Grace Might Abound?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 13, 2020

Can we add to the grace we have already received?

Should We Sin that Grace Might Abound? Romans 6:1-11 The problem of sin in the Christian life has been the source of much unrest of soul. We realize from the beginning of the 5th chapter of Romans that the believer “is” at peace with the Lord Jesus Christ. We look at our sins and failures and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do You See This Woman?

Contributed by Kreigh Hurst on May 5, 2001

The customs of the day allowed this woman to show her total devotion to Jesus and is in contrast to Simon’s refusal of Him. Hers is an example of how we should approach the master.

Introduction: Mother Teresa is a woman whose name has become synonymous with greatness. This correlation may have resulted from her philosophy of greatness. She simply believes, "We can do no great things; only small things with great love." Such words are reminiscent of our Lord’s immortal words ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Holiness