Sermons on Contrasts:

Everything New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 21, 2018

The study contrasts Heaven with our present situation. What can we expect in Heaven? For many of us, we need to change our perception of what shall be.

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Witness Of Poverty

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 30, 2019

In an era when the contrast between the rich and the poor is most pronounced–our own time–like Francis, we are all called to follow the example of Christ in simplicity and poverty.

Tuesday of the 4th Week in Lent 2019 San Francisco di Paola One of the dominant themes of both the OT and the NT stories is what we have to look forward to in the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom, when we are confirmed as its citizens after our life on this earth, is a reign of plenty, a restoration ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12, John 5:1-16

Denomination: Catholic

The Story #16 Good King - Bad King

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jan 20, 2014

This lesson is a contrast between a good king (Hezekiah) and an evil king (Manasseh) who ruled Israel. It should be noted that even the evil king was blessed upon his repentance.

1. Colonial Attitudes toward God and Kings a. In 1774, a report went to the King of England from the Governor of Massachusetts in Boston which read, "If you ask an American who is his Master, he will tell you he has none, or any governor but Jesus Christ." b. Prewar Colonial Committee of ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Learning What Counts (Part 2) Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 22, 2018

In contrast to the works righteousness that Paul had been striving for before he became a Christian, Paul embraced the faith righteousness that comes through the grace of God by faith in Jesus.

Introduction: A. When life goes well for people who do not know the Lord they feel elated. 1. When hard times come they sink into despair. 2. But true joy enables us to rise above the rolling waves of circumstance. 3. Joy comes from a consistent relationship with Jesus Christ. 4. When our lives ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God’s Lost & Found Department

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 13, 2016

Luke 15 could aptly be called the Lost & Found chapter of the Gospels. Looking at the similarities & contrasts of these 3 stories – the Lost Sheep, the lost Coin and the lost Son.

GOD’S LOST & FOUND DEPARTMENT Luke 15:1-32 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CAUGHT IN THE ACT 1. There are times when we start to look down on someone else, and we find that we ourselves are guilty of the same things. 2. A third-grade teacher had three boys named William in her class. Because she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God’s Spirit~ Alive And Well!

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 29, 2016

Today’s text reveals that there are only two ways to live life. Paul draws several contrasts between existence ruled by the flesh and the new life of the Spirit.

God’s Spirit~ Alive and Well! Romans 8:1-11NASB The late baseball legend Gil Hodges told this story. Once, when he was managing the Washington Senators, he discovered four of his players had broken curfew the previous night. Immediately, he called a team meeting and said, "I know who you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Goals Vs Satan's Goals

Contributed by David Wilson on Sep 16, 2013

This sermon is a contrast between God's goals for the believer and the church and Satan's goals for individuals. God wants to make us like Christ, Satan wants to slowly destroy us.

The Two Goals of the Church: 1) Reach people for Christ. 2) Grow people in Christ. Biblical basis: Matthew 28:18-20 (called the Great Commission) God's goal for You: To work in all things for our good in order to conform us to the image of his Son, Jesus Christ, Biblical basis: Romans ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Resurrection Life Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Nov 20, 2022

Paul defended the resurrection of the body with two illustrations from nature and creation and used two contrasts of the old and new body, and the first and last Adam to make his point.

1 Cor 15:35-49 The Resurrection Life Do you believe in the resurrection? Do you believe in the resurrection of the dead? • Do you believe that there will be a bodily resurrection and not some kind of spiritual existence with us floating around as spirits? • Or for the non-Christians, believing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Religion Vs. Relationship

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 9, 2022

This message contrasts religion and relationship, showing that religion is not to be desired. However, a relationship with Jesus is to be highly treasured. Why? Religion brings about death, but relationship brings about life.

Whenever you hear of the word “religion,” what comes to mind? Perhaps attending a church service, someone worshipping a Buddha statue, a baptismal service, someone reciting a chant or prayer, someone fasting, people praying to the east every hour, someone making an animal sacrifice, or someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-28

Denomination: Baptist

Treasures In Heaven (Or Earth) Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 22, 2022

The focus on this sermon is the contrast between storing up treasures in heaven vs storing up treasures on earth and the shaping influence each has on a person's heart.

We are going through the series called Learning to Live Like Jesus. The series is focused on the extended passage of Jesus known as the Sermon on the Mount. It basically is contained in three chapters in the book of Matthew, 5, 6, and 7. We have gone through chapter 5 where Jesus gave us a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24, Matthew 6:24

Denomination: Christian Church

The Spiritual Saga Of Ishmael And Isaac

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Mar 21, 2001

Paul uses the story of Ishmael and Isaac and their mothers to demonstrate that the Galatian believers were in danger of abandoning the Gospel of grace in Jesus, with fascinating contrasts historically and allegorically, ever relevant for today.

THE SPIRITUAL SAGA OF ISHMAEL AND ISAAC The most casual reader of the Bible will notice that the Scriptures consist of 2 sections - the Old and New Testaments. But have you ever thought how are they related to each other? Someone made the interesting comment about the 2 Testaments that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of True Happiness

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The psalmist uses the contrasting illustrations of a tree and chaff to share the Secret of True Happiness, telling us what it is, where it’s to be found and why we need it.

THE SECRET OF TRUE HAPPINESS If the mythical man or woman in the street was asked what he or she longed for most, I expect the answer, in many cases, would be “happiness”. Jesus had something to say about this in His great Sermon on the Mount when He said: “happy”: "Blessed are ... the poor in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Comparison Of Adam And Christ Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Mar 5, 2008

This sermon communicates the truth that Christ has completely overturned the effects of Adam’s sin by comparing and contrasting Adam’s death-dealing sin and Jesus Life-giving gift.

The context of the message today has to do with your justification by faith in which you’ve benefited by receiving peace with God, access to God’s grace, rejoicing in God’s glory which means God will reveal Himself in you for who He really is thereby enabling you to become all that He intended you ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Call To Maturity

Contributed by Victor Nazareth on Mar 24, 2008

We will consider maturity in terms of various aspects of our Christian lives (Jesus, Cross, The Word, Suffering, Eternity) and how we contrast these from immature and mature points of view.

Introduction: The year of increase will happen as the church grows both qualitatively and quantitatively. The existing members are called to mature so that they can take care of the new members. We consider maturity today in terms of various aspects of our Christian lives (Jesus, Cross, The ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1

Denomination: Charismatic

Nights Of Miracles

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 10, 2008

A Communion meditation that compares and contrasts the night of the Lord’s birth with the night of His betrayal and the night on which He shall return. Designed to be spoken in sections during the Communion service.

A night of miracles?! Yes, it was. A night of miracles, more than one. A miracle that the child of promise should finally be born, a miracle that a virgin should conceive and bear a son and we would call His name Immanuel, a miracle that from lowly shepherds to lofty wise men to angelic choirs ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist