Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

The Witness Of Poverty

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 30, 2019

In an era when the contrast between the rich and the poor is most pronounced–our own time–like Francis, we are all called to follow the example of Christ in simplicity and poverty.

Tuesday of the 4th Week in Lent 2019 San Francisco di Paola One of the dominant themes of both the OT and the NT stories is what we have to look forward to in the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom, when we are confirmed as its citizens after our life on this earth, is a reign of plenty, a restoration ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 5:1-16

Denomination: Catholic

Treasures In Heaven (Or Earth) Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 22, 2022

The focus on this sermon is the contrast between storing up treasures in heaven vs storing up treasures on earth and the shaping influence each has on a person's heart.

We are going through the series called Learning to Live Like Jesus. The series is focused on the extended passage of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount. It basically is contained in three chapters in the book of Matthew, 5, 6, and 7. We have gone through chapter 5 where Jesus gave us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Christian Church

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 20, 2022

Paul defended the resurrection of the body with two illustrations from nature and creation and used two contrasts of the old and new body, and the first and last Adam to make his point.

1 Cor 15:35-49 The Resurrection Life Do you believe in the resurrection? Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? • Do you believe that there will be a bodily resurrection and not some kind of spiritual existence with us floating around as spirits? • Or for the non-Christians, believing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

Fire Inside Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 16, 2005

6th and last in series on what Pentecost means. This contrasts Acts 2 with Exodus 19, showing that even though the fire was once only for Moses, it’s for all believers today.

Acts 2:1-4 – Fire Inside Three ladies had a bible study and were talking about being refined by the fire. They did not understand about being refined in the fire like silver. One volunteered to go to the silversmith and see what that meant. When she went she did not tell the silversmith why ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Now A Word From John

Contributed by Ed Wood on Nov 17, 2006

How do you communicate an idea to another person? John gives us an example through his preaching about Jesus.

NOW A WORD FROM JOHN John 1:1-18 INTRO: Suppose you have an idea. You want others to know about this idea. How do you communicate that idea to another person? Simple. You convey an idea from your mind to another person’s mind by the medium of words. John began the Fourth Gospel with an ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Chosen Series

Contributed by Dan Cale on Aug 4, 2004

This first in a letter study series deals with the idea of being chosen by God. What does it mean and what are we chosen for?

Chosen Ephesians 1:3-14 Over the next few weeks we are going to be taking an intense look at the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. This is really only loosely intended to be a series of teachings as the lessons are connected only by two things ¡V 1) the letter itself and 2) that this letter ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: *other

Does Satan Have A Better Plan? Series

Contributed by Bud Ross on Jan 29, 2005

The wilderness temptation was about Satan offering Jesus 3 opportunities to reject God’s idea of what the Messiah should be.

The dad was trying to teach his 6-year old son how to shoot a basketball. The boy would push the ball as hard as he could toward the basket but always the ball would fall short. The dad would effortlessly toss the ball toward the basket and say, "Just do it like this, son. It’s easy." The boy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Harvest Of Hope

Contributed by John Gullick on May 1, 2002

A harvest sermon that uses harvest imagary in relation to the Christian life. (some ideas taken from other Sermon Central sermons.)

Hope A Harvest is the result of many things - it is the result of hard work - it is the result of good weather and careful care by the Farmer or gardener. But underlying all of these things is hope. Without hope there would never be a harvest. In the Christian world too there is of course a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

That My House May Be Full

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Aug 2, 2002

It is not a pride thing to have a full house, a packed out church (It’s a God thing- A full house is his idea.

“A FULL HOUSE” Lu. 14:16 –24 Many have disqualified themselves from their place of priveledge and blessings. By unconcern. Indifference. (self interests.) They began to excuse themselves. Excuse (to beg off) i.e. depreicate, decline, shun: refuse, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-24

Denomination: Pentecostal

Witnessing 101: The Next Step Series

Contributed by Dan Cale on Jun 11, 2005

This is the third in a 5 part series on becoming a witness for Christ. This message investigates the idea of getting intentional about our witness in the world.

You Shall Be My Witnesses Pt 3 – The Next Step – Getting Intentional Acts 1:8; 3 - 4:4 In Acts chapter 1:8 Jesus says to His disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ...read more

Denomination: *other

Your First Family: Minister Well To Them Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Jan 11, 2006

Speaks to the idea that our family at home is the second most important relationship we have, following, of course, our relationship with God.

AM Sermon preached at Syria Christian Church January 9, 2005 "Your First Family: Minister Well To Them" [TITLE SLIDE] When Americans hear the words first family---their thoughts typically race to the occupants of the White House---the president and his family. And some of you reading the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Message We Don't Like

Contributed by Paul Stokes on Dec 20, 2005

Carol Service sermon focussing on the ’offensiveness’ of God’s Christmas present to us - the idea that we need ’saving’ from sin!

Someone sent me three facts that prove Jesus was a Mexican! His first name was Jesus; he was bilingual, and he was always being harassed by the authorities. Then again, you can prove he was black - he called everybody "brother", he liked Gospel and he couldn’t get a fair trial. Or maybe he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed