Sermons on Contrasts:

There Were Two Brothers

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 14, 2004

As we approach this third parable, the Lord seeks to contrast the lost with those who are not. Our tendency is to focus on the younger son in the parable, and to completely miss the elder son. Today, I hope to be the exception to that tendency.

There Were Two Brothers Luke 15:11-32 INTRODUCTION: This parable is the third of a trilogy of parables. The first parable in the group was that of the shepherd and the lost sheep. This parable told of the shepherd leaving the 99 sheep and searching for the one lost sheep. The truth communicated ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Davids Big Flaw

Contributed by Art Campbell on Sep 5, 2007

David was a successful man - a warrior, poet and king. Yet he had one major flaw that was almost his undoing - his children. This message contrasts David’s great success with his great heartache.

One of my favourite Bible heroes is King David. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the story of David and Goliath, the boy who bested a giant. But there’s a lot more to David’s life than this story. In many ways he’s the kind of man that many of us guys would like to be. David was marked out for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Redefining The Family Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 24, 2006

What is God’s Family and how do you join it? Jesus redefines family, contrasts it with our earthly family and tells us how to join and what it’s like in his family.

The idea of family is always morphing in our society. Just in the past fifty years we’ve gone from June Cleaver to Uma Thurman. In the 1950’s the woman wore pearls and waited in high heels for her man to come home so she could greet him with a martini, a paper and dinner on the table. Today in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:1-25

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Mitch Davis on Jun 21, 2007

When coming across scriptures that cannot be rationalized man has a tendency to NOT accept what the Bible explicitly reveals. Note the contrast of wisdom between God and man when dealing with the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Theme: Knowing whether the Holy Spirit personally dwells within the believer. INTRODUCTION A. Because Christians live in the flesh it is no wonder that we have difficulty understanding the things of the spirit. 1. The Bible teaches that the natural man cannot ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Crown Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 15, 2009

Dynamically interesting content! Summary of the period of the kings, w/ a special contrast of Saul, David, and Solomon. Wonderful visuals enhance a very helpful outline. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Crown I Samuel 8 2 part sermon on Saul and David during the times of the Kings. Both parts are here: http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Crown.html Pt.1-Saul Israel decided they wanted to be a monarchy, not a theocracy. They wanted a king, not to be led by God. They wanted a visible leader. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Snapshots In An Autumn Album

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 15, 2009

Contrasting Koheleth and Paul in the later season of their lives: one blames the young, the other gathers them; one mourns broken things, the other invests in ideas; one is anxious, the other trusts God for every need.

This past weekend, as a part of our brief getaway, my wife and I spent two nights in an old farmhouse. The farmhouse dated from 1704 and was partly furnished with antiques. Now my wife loves antiques; I guess that’s why she puts up with me. So we took the tour of the house, especially the parlor ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Manipulation By Guilt Vs. Straightforward Requests Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 26, 2016

Manipulation is a dishonest method to control others, get our way, or make others think an idea was theirs; it stands in contrast to making honest straightforward requests. Manipulation by guilt is perhaps the most common form of manipulation.

Manipulation by Guilt Vs. Straightforward Requests (topical) 1. A lot of persuasion — even in church — can be based upon emotion and a lack of logic. “Pastor Smith was winding up his sermon about the dangers of alcohol and the need for temperance. He shouted, 'If I had all the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:11-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

16. Romans Chapter 4 Verses 4-17 Messages In Romans – A Look At Abraham: The Sign Of Circumcision Was A Seal Of The Righteousness Of His Faith - Message 16 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on May 19, 2024

The Law and faith are in contrast and we look further into Abraham’s faith. The universe was created BUT it is that Creator God who creates us as new creations in Christ, and who will raise the dead bodies of the saints. Such blessings and promises.

16. ROMANS CHAPTER 4 VERSES 4-17 MESSAGES IN ROMANS – A LOOK AT ABRAHAM: THE SIGN OF CIRCUMCISION WAS A SEAL OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF HIS FAITH - MESSAGE 16 [A]. REVISION AND A BIT EXTRA Last time we looked at Romans 4:4-12 carefully and just to summarise what we say, the word of God is very ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:5-7, Romans 4:9-12, Colossians 2:11-14, Romans 4:13-17, Matthew 12:9-10, Galatians 3:29, Genesis 17:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Creator Comforts Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 10, 2022

The Prophet begins with the sharp contrast between the failure of the past & the hope of the future. Israel is to be comforted in the assurance that her trial has ended, & her sin has been purged. What great news!

ISAIAH 40: 1-2 [ADVENT I SERIES PART I] THE CREATOR COMFORTS [Psalm 23] How majestic is the second part of the Book of Isaiah! The new section opens by stirring the people of God with the promise and hope of redemption and restoration. The Prophet begins with the sharp contrast between the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

A People Of Truth Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 4, 2012

This section forms a transition between the teaching on the Day of the Lord & exhortations for present living. In contrast to those who believe Satan’s lies, here are those who believe the truth of God. In this section there are three life impacts that co

[ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE Series] 2 THESSALONIANS 2: 13-17 A PEOPLE OF TRUTH This section forms a transition between Paul’s teaching on the Day of the Lord (2:1-12) and his exhortations for present living in view of that day which follow (3:1-15). Right here the Holy Spirit blows ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

[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

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

People At The Cross Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 7, 2003

There were all kinds of people at the Cross. What distinguished these groups of people? The condition of their souls, their spiritual heart attitudes. Around the Cross of Jesus, we can see people who demonstrated some contrasting heart conditions.

People At The Cross (Matt. 27:36-44, Luke 23:39-43, John 19:25-27) 1. A father and daughter we walking through a spacious prairie. 2. In the distance, they could see fire all around them. They knew they could not escape it. 3. The father knew there was only one way to escape: set fire to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:36-44, Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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