Sermons on Contrasts:

"Prayers The God Hears:" The Pharisee And Tax Collector

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Sep 3, 2023

In the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector, we’ll be looking at those prayers God hears. However, is all speech skyward prayer, and are they the prayers God hears and answers. In a study of contrast, Jesus’s looks at prayer and the type of prayers God hears.

Parables to Live By “Prayers the God Hears: The Pharisee and Tax Collector” Luke 18:9-14 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlUjYOQFsro Over the years, I’ve seen and heard quite a few prayers, and what others consider being the type of prayers that God hears. Now, almost ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14

Denomination: Foursquare

Armageddaboutit (Revelation 19-21) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 23, 2025

Revelation 17–19 shows four powerful contrasts—Babylon or the Bride, lament or hallelujah, judgment or celebration, the beast or the Lamb. These chapters remind us that when God wins, the only question is: Which side will you be on when the victory comes?

Good morning. Please open your Bibles to revelation 17. In our culture, Armageddon is shorthand for any cataclysmic, catastrophic, apocalyptic event. In 1998, it was the title of a Bruce Willis movie about a meteor heading toward earth. In July 2011, the city of Los Angeles announced that a ten ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Unveiling: Grace Revealed And Ready Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Jan 23, 2026

This sermon contrasts the ancient prophets' search and the angels' curiosity about salvation with our privileged possession of it, urging believers to respond by disciplining their minds, remaining spiritually alert, and fixing their hope entirely on Christ's return.

Introduction: The Privilege of Our Position We often look back at the great heroes of the Old Testament—Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah—and think, "If only I had their connection with God! If only I could have seen the burning bush or parted the sea." We tend to think they had the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

Children: A Gift From God

Contributed by Akindele Opoola on Jul 13, 2025

Beloved in Christ, we live in a time where the value of children is often misunderstood or minimized. Psalm 127:3 offers a divine perspective that stands in contrast to the cultural noise around us. It reminds us of a fundamental truth: Children are not burdens; they are blessings.

Sermon Title: "Children: A Gift from God" Text: Psalm 127:3 — “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Introduction: Beloved in Christ, we live in a time where the value of children is often misunderstood or minimized. Psalm 127:3 offers a divine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:3, James 1:17, Genesis 33:5, Proverbs 22:6, Luke 18:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Superheroes Vs. Christians

Contributed by Warren Curry on Sep 22, 2004

So what about Christians? How do they compare or contrast with these superheroes we have been looking at. We’ll look at three principles to examine the superheroes and the Christians, but instead of trying to impress the pop culture, we will seek God’s

Superheroes vs. Christians Introduction: Throughout the last century, superheroes have played a major part of our American culture. Comic books, cartoons & science fiction have all played a part of making superheroes a major icon in our society. We can look way back in our history to see that ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Red Sticks - Blue Sticks

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Aug 7, 2009

Ordinary Proper 14 - St. Paul draws a contrast between the follower of God and the person who doesn’t know of his love in Christ. He encourages us to guard our identity in Christ by illustrating what life in Christ "looks like".

Recently I was remembering the very first sermon that I preached. It was in the mid 70s at a Baptist Church. I was a young sailor recently married. My new bride had been raised in a Baptist church and I was a freshly catechized Lutheran. We tried the local Lutheran Church – but it was not an ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Any Other Gospel Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Oct 3, 2011

Without attention and energy, we humans will default back to our flesh pleasing ways even after coming to Jesus. That's where the lie of legalism is so pervasive. Paul begins his battle against legalism by contrasting human achievement with grace.

We humans love to accomplish things. It’s so we can tell whether we are a success or not. This is also true when it comes to pleasing God. “Lord, I prayed and read your Word for an hour today.” “Father, I refrained from clobbering that guy who cut in front of me.” We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Law Of Christ

Contributed by Phil Smith on Feb 23, 2009

Sometimes in all the Christian rhetoric, we forget the simplicity of what following Christ looks like. "Good Works" has been given a bad name because they are viewed as a contrast to faith and grace. However, once you get past the elementary teaching of

The Law of Christ I. Introduction Lately, the ladies of our church have had a couple of opportunities to help some folks. If you are not already aware, some of our ladies are cooking meals for Peter and Theda Kempenar on a regular basis. Also, they supplied a good bunch of sandwiches for Teri ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

At The House Of Caiaphas

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 19, 2015

We’re stopping at the house of Caiaphas, & what we see there is rank hypocrisy. So let’s to look at it. But after we do, we’ll also look at the genuineness of Jesus, & point out the contrast between the two.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK When people are invited to attend church, an excuse we sometimes hear is this: “I don’t go to church because there are so many hypocrites there.” Have you ever heard that excuse? It’s been around a long time. Those who love the church have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:57-75

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jairus’ Daughter Raised And A Woman With A Hemorrhage Healed Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 8, 2017

You can see here the contrast of light and darkness. The little girl is twelve years old and the light is passing out of her life. The woman has suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years, but now she is passing from darkness into light.

-AD 28- East Shore of Galilee Lesson: Jairus’ Daughter Raised and a Woman with a Hemorrhage Healed Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56 Matthew- 18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Promised Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 25, 2017

Jesus is talking about His second coming, when He will come in glory to judge the world. This is a great contrast to His first coming when He was abused and despised by the people. But at his second coming we will see the Captain of our salvation coming

-AD 29- Caesarae Philippi Title: Kingdom Promised Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:26-27) -Matthew- For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27) Jesus is talking about His second coming, when He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:26-27

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

Jephthah = Rejection – Victory – And Disaster - All In The One Cup - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Oct 6, 2022

The story of Jephthah, a judge of Israel, continues and takes us through deceit, stupidity, betrayal, victory, defeat. It reveals the honour of a daughter contrasted with the utter and complete disgrace of her father. Jephthah, a flawed man had to "battle his demons".

JEPHTHAH = REJECTION – VICTORY – AND DISASTER - ALL IN THE ONE CUP - PART 2 Read PART 1 before reading this second part. It will then make a lot more sense. MAN’S EVIL LAID BARE – GOING BACK TO FIRST BASE {{Judges 11:7 Then Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “Did you not hate me and ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:7, Judges 11:8-9, Judges 11:10, Judges 11:12-28, Judges 11:29, John 14:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 Peter 4:7, Judges 11:30-31, Judges 11:34-35, Judges 12:1-3, Judges 11:36-40, Judges 12:7, Hebrews 11:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

After God’s Own Heart

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 21, 2022

David was a man after God’s own heart, because of his integrity. Through an overview of David's life, we explore what it is to have the heart of God, by contrasting “Saul’s heart of defiance” with “David’s heart of obedience.”

Baptist Men’s Day, on the Southern Baptist Convention calendar, is observed on January 24, 2021 (which, of course, we are a week late). I have written this morning’s sermon to recognize the men of our congregation, and we’re going to be looking at living a life of integrity before God. Our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Kingdom Economy Series

Contributed by Apostle Dr. Ruben L. Broadnax Jr. on Oct 25, 2024

"This sermon introduces God's Kingdom economy, contrasting worldly financial systems with Kingdom principles. It emphasizes financial victory through alignment with God’s Word and explores how Kingdom living leads to freedom and provision."

In a world dominated by financial stress, economic uncertainty, and the unending pursuit of more, God's people are invited to embrace a different reality—God’s Kingdom economy, which operates on principles that are higher and more stable than the world's systems. Jesus makes this clear when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Other