Sermons on Contrasting Ideas:

The Traveller’s Psalm Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 17, 2022

Life can feel like a challenging or dangerous journey, with no clear idea of what is over the hill in front of you. At times we all need help getting over the hills or mountains.

The Traveller’s Psalm Travelling far from home involves some degree of risk, Psalm 121 can be used as a prayer to give comfort when travelling: I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the One ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living A Questionable Life - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 29, 2024

People have a preconceived idea of what a Christian is supposed to be or act like. They also have their understanding of what a local church is all about. How do we change the negative stereotype?

Questionable Living – Part 2 (Col 4:2-6) Intro: A. When a person hears the word “Christian” they immediately conjure up something in their head – good or bad, they have a preconceived thought of what it means for a person to claim to be a Christian. People call some Christians “hypocrites” for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Transformed By Truth: Proclaiming Christ In A Confused Culture (Acts 17) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 26, 2024

Acts 17 is a chapter that reveals the Apostle Paul proclaiming the message of Christ in a world filled with competing ideas and idols. Our world, much like Paul’s, is confused and in need of truth

Transformed by Truth: Proclaiming Christ in a Confused Culture Text: Acts 17 (NLT) Introduction: Today we explore Acts 17 — a chapter that reveals the Apostle Paul proclaiming the message of Christ in a world filled with competing ideas and idols. Our world, much like Paul’s, is confused and in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-9, Acts 17:10-12, Acts 17:16-34, Acts 17:32-34, 2 Timothy 2:15, Galatians 6:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Is Holiness? (Leviticus 19-20) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Aug 27, 2024

Holiness is a common, fuzzy word. But basically it comes to the idea of "dedication." God is dedicated to his people; God expects them to mirror Him, and be dedicated to Him the same way.

Today, we are going to rabbit trail for just a week, and talk about holiness. One of the hardest things to explain in the entire Bible, in my opinion, is the idea of holiness. The Bible often tells us that God is holy, and when the Bible tells us this, it tends to be in very serious, weighty ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:22, Romans 12:1, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Hebrews 12:14, Isaiah 6:1-5, Leviticus 19:1-37, Leviticus 20:1-26  (view more)  (view less)

James Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 9, 2022

Even after more than two years of miracles, James is a skeptic. It would, after all, be rather hard to swallow the idea that the brother you had grown up with was the Son of God.

Jesus came from a big family. Matthew 13:55-56 names Jesus' brothers: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas and mentions sisters (plural), so He had at least six siblings. James is consistently named first when Jesus' brothers are listed, which in his day likely meant that he was the eldest of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Place: Finding God’s Presence Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 10, 2025

The secret place is not a mystical idea—it is the real, living presence of God that we can experience daily. It is where our spirits are nourished, our minds are renewed, and our hearts are transformed.

THE SECRET PLACE: FINDING GOD’S PRESENCE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 91:1 Supporting Texts: Matthew 6:6, Exodus 33:7-11, Psalm 27:5, Luke 5:16, Isaiah 26:3 INTRODUCTION: The "secret place" is not merely a physical location—it is a spiritual dimension where divine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1, Matthew 6:6, Exodus 33:7-11, Psalm 27:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus' Base Of Operations - Capernaum Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2016

Although Jerusalem was the center of worship for Israel, Capernaum was the center of Jesus' ministry. This 4th of my talks on my trip to Israel focuses on the contrast between what Jesus did in Jerusalem and what He did in Capernaum for His 1st two yrs

(Opened with a video of me singing “Amazing Grace” at St. Anne Cathedral in Jerusalem) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3adHtDj6tA4 What we’re going to do tonight is visit two cities in Israel – Jerusalem and Capernaum. What you just saw was my singing “Amazing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Among Secular Gods, Part 4 - Killing The Imago Dei: Answering The Questions Of Relativism & Secular Humanism Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Nov 4, 2019

Part 4 based on the book by Ravi Zacharias and Vince Vitale: Secular humanism believes we can look to human advancement for justice, peace, and the end of suffering. In sharp contrast, Christianity teaches that the only way for us to truly live is to remove ourselves from the equation.

Humanism (also known as progressivism) is based on relativism and the idea that human advancement is the solution to injustice, war, and suffering. Like most worldly reasoning or false teachings in the church, there some truth in this reasoning. The Christian and Biblical world-view that God uses ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 1:21-25

Denomination: Brethren

Healthy Independence-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 7, 2020

1 of ? The prophet Jeremiah contrasted two major aspects of Independence—Independence from God versus independence from the world. Dependence upon YHWH brings independence from worldly influence. How can I be independent of worldly influence? A Healthy Independence Engages...

HEALTHY INDEPENDENCE-I—Jeremiah 17:1-14 Attention: Play Ball! A father introduced his 5-year-old son to the game of baseball by taking him to several games. The Star-Spangled Banner was sung before the start of each game, & the little fellow got to where he had memorized the patriotic ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:1-4, Jeremiah 17:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

From Proud Towers To Humble Alters

Contributed by Greg Nance on Oct 19, 2013

After Noah and his family began to populate the earth again, people once again left God's way and tried to do things their own way. Bad idea. God's way requires humble obedience, not proud power. Jesus told Paul,

Genesis 9-12 lead us from Great Towers to Humble Alters. God’s way of blessing is often counter intuitive. God choses the humble, the weak, the despised, the things that are nothing to bless and through whom to accomplish His purposes of redemption for all mankind. The Lord told Paul, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Healthy Independence-9

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 27, 2020

9 of ? The prophet Jeremiah contrasted two major aspects of Independence—Independence from God versus independence from the world. Dependence upon YHWH brings independence from worldly influence. How can I be independent of worldly influence? A Healthy Independence Engages...

HEALTHY INDEPENDENCE-IX—Jeremiah 17:11(:1-14) Attention: The following was written by a pastor describing one of his experiences... I love children. I love being around them & watching them play. Once in a while, I get it into my head to give a children's sermon. Even though I know I ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:11, Jeremiah 17:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"God Is Not Our Cosmic Bell Hop"

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Oct 15, 2010

A sermon dealing with "the persistent widow", and thus our "requests" (as noted by C.S. Lewis and quoted by Dallas Willard in Divine Conspiracy. Jesus uses "contrast" to teach us about God's character and desire to answer our prayers and change our "worl

In Jesus Holy Name October 17, 2010 Text: Luke 18:1-8 Pentecost XXI - Redeemer “God is Not Our Cosmic Bellhop” Jesus told his disciples a parable. In our journey though the Gospel of Luke we have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

The Law Versus The Promise Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on May 6, 2005

Let’s avoid the mistakes the Judaizers made and focus our thoughts on Paul’s history lesson in Galatians 3:15-22. We will observe the solid, historical fact of justification by faith alone in contrast to the perilous fiction of justification by works.

Scripture Allen Dale Golding tells the story about when he and his wife were missionaries in the Philippines. They vacationed in Baguio City in the mountains of Northern Luzon. While there, they visited the St. Louis Silver School, where silversmiths are trained. They admired exquisite workmanship ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Serious Call To A Holy Life

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Jul 7, 2003

This sermon is a serious call to the believer to live a holy life .It shows clearly the importance of holiness emphasising the following truths 1.CALLING 2.COMMANDMENTS 3.CASE-STUDIES 4.CONTRAST 5.COMFORTER 6.CHOICE 7.COVENANT

A SERIOUS CALL TO A HOLY LIFE ------------------------------------------------- OUTLINE 1.CALLING 2.COMMANDMENTS 3.CASE-STUDIES 4.CONTRAST 5.COMFORTER 6.CHOICE 7.COVENANT THE MESSAGE A SERIOUS CALL TO A HOLY LIFE --------------------------------------------------- 1.CALLING I Peter ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

What's Your Perspective?

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

Contrasting Job with the Rich Young Ruler forces us to consider the priorities in our own life. Our ability to face the inevitable losses and tragedy in life is determined by our perspective on life. By setting our sights on things above, we are better

Whenever the phone rings at 2 o’clock in the morning, you hope that it’s a wrong number, that nothing’s really wrong, and that you can go back to sleep. Middle-of-the-night phone calls are rarely good, as the caller must think it’s pretty important in order to wake you from your sleep. Melody’s a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16

Denomination: Nazarene