Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

Dangers And Deliverance Of The Godly

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Most modern day believers feel that to brave the hazards of the road on Sunday morning is all the danger they are willing to put up with. In contrast, Paul consistently forged ahead on his path toward greater Godliness despite continuous accusations, enda

One fact that many Christians would prefer to forget is that "All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Tim. 3:12) Most modern day believers feel that to brave the hazards of the road on Sunday morning is all the danger they are willing to put up with. In contrast, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:27-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Any Other Gospel Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 3, 2011

Without attention and energy, we humans will default back to our flesh pleasing ways even after coming to Jesus. That's where the lie of legalism is so pervasive. Paul begins his battle against legalism by contrasting human achievement with grace.

We humans love to accomplish things. It’s so we can tell whether we are a success or not. This is also true when it comes to pleasing God. “Lord, I prayed and read your Word for an hour today.” “Father, I refrained from clobbering that guy who cut in front of me.” We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Ie3a: The Imperfection Of The Earthly Sanctuary Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 29, 2020

Our subject is the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ who is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Presented to us are two ministries which are in sharp contrast. The Levitical service, the ministry of the Aaronic priesthood, was carried out in an earthly Tabernacle down here.

4/21/20 Tom Lowe Lesson IE3a: The Imperfection of the Earthly Sanctuary (Heb. 9:1-10) Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10 (NIV) 1Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

If You've Seen Me Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 19, 2022

What do you picture when you picture God: A heavenly tyrant and scrupulous bookkeeper? "Every idea and assumption, says Trevor Hudson, must be measured against the person of Jesus."

Last Sunday I asked you to mentally or physically draw a picture of what you think God looks like. It may have sounded silly or trite, but I was very, very serious. As preacher, author, and lecturer Trevor Hudson so powerfully and succinctly put it: “In each of our hearts and minds there is ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Strength Beyond Self: Receiving The Power Of God

Contributed by Jessica Linde on Sep 29, 2025

In contrast to the self-reliant grit our culture so often advocates, this sermon’s ultimate goal is to highlight that true and lasting strength comes from allowing God's "power" to work in and through our human fragility.

Over the past several Sundays, we have been working through a sermon series on Paul’s letter to the early church in Philippi—a now ruined city in north east Greece. As we’ve worked through this series (which we are concluding today), we’ve seen how this little letter is overflowing with faith, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-13, 2 Corinthians 4:6-10

Presenting Jesus In A Tolerant-Pluralistic Oriented Society

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 10, 2003

Too often people in the world perceive Christianity as an exclusivist religion whose people are intolerant bigots. In contrast many Americans want to appear to be inclusivists, pluralists and accepting of people. Actually, when we have the right attitude

Presenting Jesus As Lord, Savior and Shepherd (Luke 19:10) For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save those which are lost. (Luke 19:10) Too often people in the world perceive Christianity as an exclusivist religion whose people are intolerant bigots. In contrast many Americans want to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loving And Serving One Another

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2003

This sermon examines common quotes from those who do not serve others in contrast to quotes from those who do serve. Everyone has an excuse, but hose who choose to serve are empowered to do so.

Loving & Serving One Another 5-5-02 Intro: Text: Gal. 5:13 (Ampl) “For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness] but through love you should serve one another.” 1. Like no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-31, Galatians 5:13

Denomination: Charismatic

The Apprentice #1: Andrew Series

Contributed by Gregg Svalstad on Nov 3, 2004

This is the first 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 Andrew and that God chooses very ordinary people like us. (Drama also available)

Last season’s new TV reality show “The Apprentice” centering around Donald Trump was a big hit. The 58 year old Trump commands an empire of over 100 companies, billions of dollars, and some of the most illustrious buildings in the world. The newest addition to the Trump kingdom is a massive ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-42

Denomination: Baptist

Altar Of Incense Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 19, 2008

How do you smell to God? This altar inside the Tabernacle proper is beautifully contrasted to the brazen altar out in the courtyard. The symbolic aromas in the air cannot be ignored. Link inc. to formatted text, audio, PowerPoint.

Altar of Incense ‘How Do You Smell?’ Exodus 30:1-10 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/AltarOfIncense.html It has been a wonderful study of the Tabernacle so far, and the best is yet to come as we enter the Holy of Holies next time. But as of now, we have looked at the first 5 articles of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 30:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Zechariah And Mary, And Spiritual Shock Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 4, 2004

Can we be walking with the Lord, be strong in some areas and horribly weak in others, or does spiritual maturity mean we have grown evenly?Let’s contrast the responses of Zechariah the priest and Mary and then return to this question.

Zechariah and Mary, and Spiritual Shock (Luke 1) Here is a bulletin insert I wrote to add to the sermon, which follows: Zechariah the Priest and Father of John the Baptist The Christmas narrative really begins by setting the stage for Jesus’ coming through explaining how his forerunner, John the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-60

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Our Destinations Series

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Aug 11, 2012

This sermon contrasts the two different destinations for the Christian and the lost. Everyone has eternal life some will spend it in heaven with our heavenly father and some will spend it in hell. Christians have to help the lost get into a relationship w

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Our Destinations Some of the differences that I have talked about between Christians and the world have been very important and life changing. I have tried to express to yall that there should be and needs to be very clear and distinct ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

When A Seat Of Mercy Becomes A Throne Of Grace

Contributed by Everett Mccoy on Jul 13, 2008

Contrasts God’s relationship with man in the Old and New Covenants. When God set up residence on earth, He called his throne the Mercy Seat. But at Calvary both the name and the location changed - to the Throne of Grace.

17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof… … 22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:17-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Parables Of The Mustard Seed And Leaven Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 26, 2017

The mustard seed was often planted by farmers in Palestine. Matthew and Mark point to the seed’s small size and contrast this with the size of the full-grown tree (a mustard seed can produce a tree 30 feet tall).

Probably Perea Lesson: Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven Luke 13:18-21 When ever Jesus wanted to explain what something was like, to people who didn’t know anything about it, He used parables in which He would compare it to something they did know about. So Christ undertakes here to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

The New World Order

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 18, 2017

Sermon explores God's program for bringing in His kingdom (the New World Order), beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. In this Easter message, God's program for a new world is contrasted with the world's efforts to do so without God.

1 Cor. 15:20-24 3/26/16 Today I want to talk with you about the New World Order. When it is fully established there will be no more war or bloodshed. Terrorism will be a thing of the past. Poverty will be unheard of. No one will ever hunger or thirst again in this new economy. All the problems ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-24, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:16-25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Genesis 11:4, Revelation 13:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

[ic3] Servant Vs. Son Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 23, 2020

The author contrasts Jesus and Moses. The Jews perceived Moses to be a great man, great prophet, great leader, and great lawgiver. Yet Jesus fulfilled all those roles as well―to a greater degree than Moses.

8/15/19 Tom Lowe Lesson #11 [IC3]: SERVANT VS. SON (HEBREWS 3:5-6a) Introduction: The author has already briefly contrasted Jesus with the Old Testament prophets (1:1, 2) and more explicitly with the angels (1:3-2:18). Here he begins a contrast between Jesus and Moses. The Jews perceived Moses ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:5-6

Denomination: Baptist