Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blessings Of Following Christ #5 - We Get Access To God And His Blessings Series

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 20, 2008

Seventh and final message in this series, discussing the idea that because of Christ, we are giving all we need for enjoyment of God and life.

Blessings of Following Christ #5 – We Get Access to God and His Blessings Various Scriptures November 25, 2007 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." Introduction How many here would turn down a call from the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:18

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Real Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 30, 2008

Many of your ideas about the Holy Spirit are wrong. What is the real role and purpose of Jesus representative on earth in your life?

The Holy Spirit is the best kept secret in Christianity mostly because His purpose and role have been misunderstood. The Holy Spirit is not a grand show master who makes it possible for you to do really cool stuff, or at least appear really cool so people are impressed. The Holy Spirit actually ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Experiencing God: What's Love Got To Do With It?

Contributed by James Choung on Aug 29, 2008

Main idea: God’s love is so big that each person is worth more than God’s life itself!

This sermon is by James Choung of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. You are also invited to visit James’ blog at http://www.jameschoung.net/. __________________________________________________ What are you worth? What is your value? I tried to find out for myself, so I went to the most reliable ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Vineyard

The Old Man & The New Man- Old Nature & New Nature

Contributed by William D. Brown on Nov 8, 2008

Until the old man is saved the natural man has no idea what the new man is, and what is meant by the old nature.

EPH. 2: 1-3 5-10-08 THE OLD MAN & THE NEW MAN- OLD NATURE & NEW NATURE Today I want to bring a few thoughts on the subject of “the old man & the new man, the old nature & ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist