Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

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

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

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

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

The Wise, The Unwise, And The Otherwise Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 4, 2021

In James chapter 3, James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. The fruits that result from these two kinds of wisdom couldn't be any more different from each other.

A. Let’s start our sermon this morning with a quote: “Life is hard and it’s harder when you’re stupid.” 1. We chuckle at that because we all know it’s true. 2. Some people attribute that quote to John Wayne. 3. I don’t know if the Duke did or didn’t say those words. 4. The line doesn’t appear in ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-18, Proverbs 4:5-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[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

Casual Christians Will Become Casualties

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 25, 2023

Barna research contrasted captive & casual believers, which we can see in Abraham & Lot. We'll see how their faith, or lack of it, guided their choices, and see the outcome of their choices.

CASUAL CHRISTIANS WILL BECOME CASUALTIES Gen. 13:1-18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: BAD-MOUTHING TO THE WRONG PERSON. An elderly woman came into church. An usher asked her where she’d like to sit. She said, “I’d like to sit down front.” The usher said, “No, you don’t want to sit down there; our pastor is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Some Trust In Chariots Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Oct 4, 2025

This sermon contrasts the world's reliance on human solutions, symbolized as "chariots and horses," with the believer's call to place ultimate trust in the name of God during the "day of trouble".

Introduction: The Day of Trouble There is not a soul in this sanctuary today who is a stranger to trouble. The Bible calls it, in the beautiful and stark language of the King James, "the day of trouble." It is that day when the doctor's report is not what you had hoped. It is that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Two Revealing Prayers Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 28, 2022

This passage records two prayers, in which are shown two kinds of hearts, whose contrast is not only seen in the way they make their requests, but also in the way they approach God. Some people trust in themselves; others trust in God.

This evening’s sermon is entitled “Two Revealing Prayers,” and it’s taken from what is commonly called “The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.” Darrell Bock, in The NIV Application Commentary, says, “This parable is really the parable of the two prayers. In those prayers appear two ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing You're Missing: A Call To Listen To The God Who Longs For You Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 18, 2025

This psalm contrasts the joyful worship God commands with His own sorrowful plea, revealing the heart of a loving Father who laments the victory and provision His people miss when they stubbornly refuse to listen to His voice.

Introduction: The Sound of Celebration Good morning. We Filipinos know how to celebrate. Think of the sounds of a vibrant local fiesta—the loud music, the joyful shouts, the sense of community and celebration. It’s a wonderful part of our culture. Psalm 81 begins with this exact atmosphere of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 8 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 28, 2018

Jesus told the chief priests and scribes that it would be a good idea if they would read the scripture so that they would understand why the children were praising Him with shouts of ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’ (Matthew 21:19).

Thursday, February 10, 2014 Tom Lowe Psalm 8—Repair of man comes through man. Title: To the chief Musician upon Gittith. A psalm of David. Theme: A messianic psalm emphasizing the humanity of Christ and His ultimate victory as man. 1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Listening With Love

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Dec 22, 2019

Sermon for Advent 4, Year A. Sermon contrasts how Joseph could have treated Mary and how he actually acted toward her. Mary has a story (and thus Jesus) because Joseph listened with love and showed mercy.

Preparing for 2020: Listening with Love I feel for Joseph. Not only because he’s often overlooked, but in some ways I understand what it’s like to be Joseph. In 1994 I found a new level of solidarity with Joseph. The children’s director concluded that the pastor’s grandson didn’t need a “speaking” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Episcopal

Beloved, Try The Spirits

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Apr 28, 2002

In Ch.1 John established that we have fellowship with the Father through the Son, and we demonstrate the reality of that fellowship: to the world; and to our self (assurance) - by living a holy life. In ch.2 & 3 we enlarged on the idea of the assurance of

A habit of devout fellowship with God is the spring of all our life, and the strength of it. <Henry Edward Manning, British Cardinal, 1808-1892> + That should be the goal of our Christian walk + And that was our stated reason for starting this series from 1 John + [1:3] = Horizontal AND vertical ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Living In The Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 21, 2020

1) Contrast (Ephesians 5:8) , 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 5:9–10), 3) Command (Ephesians 5:11a) 4) Commission (Ephesians 5:11b–13) and 5) Call (Ephesians 5: 14).

Ephesians 5:8-14 [8] for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light [9] (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), [10]and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. [11] Take no part in the unfruitful works of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14

Denomination: Other