Sermons on Contrasts:

Freedom

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 3, 2006

Independence Day sermon using a Monopoly Board to contrast what we call freedom with what the Bible declares is freedom.

What makes you feel really free? --Just over 643,000 American soldiers have given their lives in various wars since the birth of our nation in the pursuit and defense of freedom. --Patrick Henry was a famous statesman and orator of colonial Virginia. In 1764 he was elected to the House of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:16

Denomination: Wesleyan

Interacting With Sinners Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 21, 2005

Sermon contrasts Jesus’ interaction with the woman caught in adultry with the Pharisees interaction with her. How should the church deal with sinners?

Interacting with Sinners John 8:1-11 11-9-03 Intro This morning we are going to minister from the first 11 verses of John 8. How many of you have a New International Version? If you do, you will find a comment inserted by the translators concerning this passage that says, “The earlier ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Charismatic

Do You Know God? Series

Contributed by Alan Mccann on Sep 10, 2007

The contrast between God’s love for us and the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. a grave warning against syncretism and coming judgment.

Hosea 3.1-4.12 How well do you know God? I remember seeing a programme on television once where an old man through tear stained eyes spoke of his love for his wife. What became apparent over time was that she had left him on many occasions and led a quite decadent and immoral life. Yet each time ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Holiness: A Culture Or A Lifestyle?

Contributed by Steve Greene on Jan 14, 2008

This message looks at eight characteristics we often find in holiness culture and then contrasts them with the characteristics of an authentic holy life.

Holiness: A Culture or a Lifestyle? Christianity has an image problem in America today. Many, who are outside the church, are convinced that lifestyle does not line up with beliefs for the average churchgoer. As a result, Christians have acquired a hypocritical image. The perception of those ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:14

Denomination: Nazarene

What Is Christianity All About

Contributed by Steven Chapman on Feb 6, 2007

This is a book sermon to introduce the major themes of the book of Ephesians. It is built on a series of contrasts between secular faith and Biblical christianity.

What Is Christianity All About? Book Sermon in Ephesians Discussion: What is Christianity all about? Living dead “You were dead in your transgressions and sins … 1) It’s not about what we’ve been … It’s about what we are. “God, who is rich in mercy made us alive in Christ.” (Eph 2:1a, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Isaiah's Vision Of Mount Zion Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Nov 13, 2007

This sermon explores the vision of Mount Zion as it contrasted the Mount Sinai experience. Isaiah saw our experience with the presence of the LORD.

ISAIAH’S VISION OF MOUNT ZION There is nothing in all creation that is as majestic and mighty as a mountain. Sharon and I had the privilege of seeing Greece in all its mountainous glory. We had no idea that this nation was so full of mountains. Often we would see the clouds scraping the peaks of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5

Denomination: Mennonite

Thanksgiving Or Complaining

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Nov 15, 2007

Thanksgiving or complaining -- these words express two contrasting attitudes found in God’s children in regard to His dealings with them.

THE SIN OF COMPLAINING - THE OPPOSITE OF THANKSGIVING Lamentations 3:39 Thanksgiving or complaining -- these words express two contrasting attitudes found in God’s children in regard to His dealings with them. The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:39, Lamentations 3:39-40

Denomination: Baptist

Grumbling Before A Gracious God Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 27, 2011

Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace.

Title: Grumbling Before a Gracious God Text: Exodus 17:1-7 Thesis: Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace. Lenten Series: Reflecting, Repenting and Returning to God The Lenten Season is a time for reflection, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of Two Cities Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Dec 20, 2010

This passage provides a clear contrast between the citizens of Mount Zion and the citizens of Babylon in their citizenship requirements, lifestyle and final destiny.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair… So ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Deal Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2009

Sermon contrasts religious form with spiritual substance with reference made to decline and need for revival that occurred in Israel’s history.

The Real Deal James 1:25-27 5-25-08 Our story opens this morning in 2 Samuel 6:12-15 “Now it was told King David, saying, "The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God." So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom ...read more

Scripture: James 1:25-27

Denomination: Charismatic

Woman, Your Faith Has Saved You Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 13, 2013

We can learn much about faith by contrasting the behavior of the woman with the ointment and the Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner.

What did faith do to save this woman? Why did she go in peace? We can learn much by contrasting her behavior, as Jesus did, with that of the Pharisee. First, she recognized her sin, whatever it was. And, second she did not discount the sin; she took responsibility for it. The Pharisee did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Catholic

Parable Of A Father's Love

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on May 26, 2016

The awesome love and forgiveness of a Father for his wandering son and the contrast between a repentant sinner and a self-righteous older brother.

TITLE: Parable of a Father's Love TEXT: Luke 15:11-32 INTRO: The Bible is full of wonderful stories. There are stories of Adventure, Romance, Tragedy and Triumph. Today, we look at one of the best known stories in the entire Bible. It has been called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," but it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The practical faith of Rahab stands in contrast to the platitudes of the person who sent the hungry empty away, and failed to clothe the naked.

FAITH AND WORKS. James 2:14-26. A person is making what seems to be a credible claim to “faith” - but (as yet) there is no evidence in their lives of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. They seem to have all the right words, but (so far) “works” are lacking. James 2:14. What is the profit in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our King's Glad Face Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

Palm Sunday is a day of great paradox, for it was a day of such contrasting emotions. Jesus was such a glad king; such a sad king, and such a mad king.

The final week of the life of Abraham Lincoln has an amazing parallel to that of the final week of Jesus. From Palm Sunday to Good Friday is only 5 days, yet in that 5 days we go from the scene of the triumphal entry of the King to the scene of the tragic exit of the King on the cross. Listen to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

How God Evaluates Worship

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Mar 28, 2021

This sermon compares and contrasts man's view of Sunday worship to God's view of Sunday worship.

SERMON OUTLINE 1. OPENING ILLUSTRATION – Blended Families 2. THE CHURCH IS A BLENDED FAMILY - Jesus desired that the church be a blended family (ONE) - But it can lead to challenges in worship setting - As they all bring expectations of worship (music, communion, Bible version, etc.) 3. HOW ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20, Luke 18:9-14, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Denomination: Christian Church