Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

The Challenge To Love

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 10, 2024

The challenge to love is always present in the church. The differences among us can be a source of struggle, whether backgrounds, ideas, convictions, attitudes, and actions.

- Facing the Challenges - THE CHALLENGE TO LOVE 1 Corinthians 12-14 Introduction There are many challenges to living the Jesus Life. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reminds us that we serve a living Savior but we also have our human brokenness to deal with. This can bring many challenges. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Incarnation: The Divine Becoming Human Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 15, 2023

The idea of the Incarnation is significantly important in Christian theology. It stands for the essential conviction that Jesus Christ, who is the divine being, assumed human form.

Incarnation: The Divine Becoming Human The idea of the Incarnation is significantly important in Christian theology. It stands for the essential conviction that Jesus Christ, who is the divine being, assumed human form. The word ‘Incarnation’ comes from the Latin word ‘incarnatio,’ which means ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Other

Love Of Neighbor 2 (Deuteronomy 22)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 8, 2025

Does our idea of love of neighbor differ greatly from God's? Let's begin in Deuteronomy 22.

Does love of neighbor include such diverse things as their possessions, gender clarity, caring for birds, workplace safety, not mixing things, reminders and sexual relations? Do our ideas of loving our neighbor differ greatly from God's? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 22. Does the love of our ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

"soar Like An Eagle!"

Contributed by David Henderson on Jan 24, 2025

Vision is defined as the ability to think about or place the future, plan the future with imagination and wisdom. It is also defined as an idea or a mental image of something.

Soar like an Eagle! Isaiah 40:28-31 This passage is one of two passages of scripture that I call my life verses. Now in case you don’t know what that means, life verses are verses God has used to speak directly to your heart, and they become a theme for your life. So, Denise and I are now entering ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

Denomination: Baptist

Dream. Dare. Do Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 21, 2025

Every great achievement in life begins with a dream. God plants ideas, visions, and aspirations in the hearts of men to lead them into their divine purpose.

DREAM. DARE. DO By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 37:5-11 Supporting Texts: Joel 2:28, Proverbs 16:3, Philippians 4:13, Joshua 1:9, Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 INTRODUCTION: Every great achievement in life begins with a dream. God plants ideas, visions, and aspirations in the hearts of men to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finish What You Started

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Dec 26, 2024

God’s BIG IDEA is for us to become disciples of the Lord, love Him wholeheartedly, and make our bodies a living sacrifice to Him.

Prayer: Father God, Lord Jesus, hallowed is your holy name. In times like these, Lord, help us follow Your way and truth. We understand that we cannot fight evil with evil, so we humble ourselves before Your mighty throne and ask for strength to rise to Your level of integrity and discipline as we ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22, John 14:15, Hebrews 13:21, Mark 12:30

Denomination: Other

The Role Of The Father In The Redemption

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 8, 2025

The plan to redeem mankind did not start with man—it began with the Father. It was His idea, His design, and His purpose to bring salvation.

THE ROLE OF THE FATHER IN THE REDEMPTION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:10, Romans 8:32, 2 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Understanding The Story Of Jesus Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Jan 8, 2024

The main idea is to understand the story of Jesus as told in the Bible, particularly in the Gospel of Mark, and to rethink our understanding of this story and our place in it.

Hey guys, let's dive into a cool story today. You know how we all love a good story, right? Well, the Bible is like the ultimate storybook. But sometimes, we get the story all mixed up. We're going to look at the first chapter of Mark's Gospel to help us get the story straight. Let's pray: "God, we ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-4, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 19:28-40

Topics: Miracles, Resurrection, Parables, Crucifixion

Murder Mystery Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

Anger is the impulse to strike out - either with words or with actions - at whatever threatens us, or threatens something we value. Anger is an impulse to destruction. Anger is in stark contrast to the commandment to love, which brings life.

Have you ever caught yourself looking at your reflection in a shop window? I have to confess that I sometimes do. I'll wager there's not one person in this room who doesn't take at least one good look at him or herself in the mirror every day. Maybe you don't care much. But you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Apprentice #2: Philip Series

Contributed by Gregg Svalstad on Nov 3, 2004

This is the second in a series of sermons on the disciples using Donald Trump’s "Apprentice" series in contrast to Jesus’ approach of selection. This message focuses on Philip and that God chooses practical minded people.(Drama also available)

Last week we began this brief series “I’ve entitled” The Apprentice: The Type of Person God Chooses. “The Apprentice” is of course the TV reality show centered around Donald Trump in which 18 candidates arrive on scene for a 15 week job interview. They are put through all kinds of challenges, ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-50

Denomination: Baptist

Better . . . Than Proverbs Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Apr 12, 2012

Wisdom can be presented by comparing one person or situation to another. A contrast is presented by the words better & than instead of “but.” There are 19 verses in Proverbs that use the “better . . . than” formula. These comparision statements challenge

Proverbs 12:9 BETTER . . . THAN PROVERBS People all over the world are constantly looking for a better item, whether buying fruit in a market or choosing a place to live. We examine, ponder, compare, and finally make a choice based on what we believe is better. I can’t imagine anyone saying, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:9, Proverbs 16:8-32

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On A Communion In Diversity

Contributed by William Meakin on May 9, 2025

A communion in diversity is said to represent an identity of different persons, groups, or even perspectives coming together from an assortment of cultural ideas or opinions while retaining individual character and personal contribution.

Benedictine Abbot Donato Ogliari, an Italian Catholic prelate once remarked: "The communion that the Holy Spirit builds in the community of believers is not the result of a flat and rigid uniformity. On the contrary, as the Apostle Paul describes using the metaphor of the body, the unity and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 3:28, 1 John 4:12, 1 Peter 3:8

How Do You Show Your Appreciation?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 10, 2002

Two individuals demonstrating two different reactions to Jesus Christ. It is a contrast between the attitudes of the self-righteous and the repentant sinful. Here we see demonstrations of gratitude and of ingratitude, of appreciation and of depreciation

In this passage of Scripture, we find two individuals demonstrating two different reactions to Jesus Christ. It is a contrast between the attitudes of the self-righteous and the repentant sinful. Here we see demonstrations of gratitude and of ingratitude, of appreciation and of depreciation. As ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Luke 7:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

Cause For Commendation Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 23, 2005

Expository sermon dealing with Paul’s commendation to these Christians for their (1)Service for the Lord (2)Receptivity to the Lord (3)Evangelistic Influence. Movie clip from "About Schmidt" as a contrast to these believers

Cause for Commendation 1Thessalonians 1:1-10[1] 10-10-04 Intro If God were writing a letter to us this morning, what do you think He would say? What would He commend and what would He correct? In the first few chapters of Revelation Jesus is walking among the candlesticks. His eyes are as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Charismatic

Responding To The Christmas Message

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 24, 2003

The revelation of Christ’s first advent invoked interesting and diverse responses. The responses of the Magi, of King Herod, and of the Priests and teachers in Jerusalem are examined and contrasted. They are rather typical of varied responses to Christ to

Responding to the Christmas Message 12-15-02 Intro: Text: Matt 2 2:1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23, Micah 5:2

Denomination: Charismatic