Sermons on Delayed Gratification:

Whose Vine Is It Anyway? Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Jul 10, 2004

Part 2 of 3 in the series "A Declaration of Dependence." We must (1) stop denying and start depending; (2) stop trying and start trusting; (3) stop resisting and start persisting; (4) stop pouting and start praying; and (5) stop delaying and start obeyin

WHOSE VINE IS IT ANYWAY? A Declaration of Dependence John 15:1-8 July 11, 2004 Introduction: This week we will be continuing our series titled “A Declaration of Dependence.” During this month in which we celebrate our independence as a nation I want us to turn our attention to our dependence ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-10

The Word Will Not Return Void

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 14, 2020

There's sometimes a delay between our prayers and answers coming. God's promises/Word has not failed. It's alive and powerful and can't return void. God's Word has never failed!

THE WORD WILL NOT RETURN VOID Isa. 55:10-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A father, teaching his son about the beauties of nature, pointed out a glorious sunset and said, “Look son, isn’t that a beautiful picture God has painted?” 2. Son said, “It sure is, Dad, especially since God had to paint it ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Spiritual Warfare: Declassified

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 27, 2014

Satan doesn’t want you to think about spiritual things. Rather, he only wants us to dwell on our own selfish desires. Avoid the temptation to delay any thoughts of spiritual self-examination, and make it a priority to encourage others for self-examination

Opening illustration: During any war, the enemy’s strategy is to conceal/hide some important information from the adversary so that they will not be successful in their endeavor. In fact the enemy will try to subdue the adversary so that they succumb to defeat. The information that they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Free Indeed

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 20, 2021

Although Juneteenth represents freedom, it also represents how emancipation was remarkably delayed for people who were enslaved in the deepest reaches of the Confederate South– But the Bible says in John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”.

“Free Indeed” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. SCRIPTURE: - John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”. PRAYER: - OPENING:- A little more than a year after the world watched the senseless, heartless, and cold blooded murder of George Floyd, heard of the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36

Denomination: Apostolic

Why Does God Allow Suffering!

Contributed by Jenny Franklin on Dec 21, 2022

Satan isn’t omnipotent. He can only do what God allows. So why does God allow Satan to continue to roam the earth seeking whom he can devour? Why does God delay judgment of the wicked while we suffer?

a. The Lord waited so that Noah could be saved. … In the days of Noah, God waited with long-suffering while Noah prepared the ark in which eight souls were saved from the flood. 1 Peter 3:20 Seeing the wickedness of man and knowing that the imagination of his heart was only evil continually, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:20, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 6:7, Genesis 6:3, 2 Peter 3:9-10, Matthew 13:38-39, Matthew 13:27-30, Matthew 13:37-38  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Grace Displayed Through Mankind’s Sin Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 27, 2023

In their sin, Adam and Eve learned what mercy meant – even as they were cast out of paradise. They learned what grace was – even as they had to fend for themselves because God provided a way for them to survive, and He even delayed their (physical) death because of His love for them.

Alpha and Omega, Part 9 God’s Grace displayed through Mankind’s sin Genesis 3:14-24 Introduction - We’ve begun 2023 with “one purpose”: Knowing there is a God! -- Continuing our series, “Alpha and Omega”; examining the beginning to the end - Key things to remember … man was: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-24, Romans 8:33, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 8:19-22, Hebrews 9:11-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I’m Determined To Be Blessed

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on Oct 14, 2025

Through the tears, through the trials, through the testing, my heart is fixed, my faith is firm, and my eyes are on Jesus, and I won’t let disappointment define me, or delay me. I’m pressing my way, because I’m determined to be blessed.

Scripture Text: Genesis 26:12–14 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 26:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

I Am Faithful Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 25, 2021

Although the Psalmist Ethan finds no resolution to the tension between God’s promise and God’s delay in fulfilling His promises in Psalm 89, we know that God DID indeed fulfill His promise to David don’t we? The line of David did not end in the exile.

I make promises all the time … and I always intend on keeping them every time I make them. But you know what? I don’t always keep them … not all of them … try as hard as I might. I’m going to let you down sometimes … disappoint you .. if I haven’t already. The one promise that I will always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:29, Isaiah 54:10, John 6:37

Denomination: United Methodist

Everything You Are Going Through Is Preparing You For What You Prayed For.

Contributed by Anthony Sosa on Feb 18, 2025

Everything you’re going through is preparing you for what you prayed for. God answers prayers through challenges that build the strength, wisdom, and character to sustain His blessings. Trust that every delay and struggle is part of His plan to equip you for what’s ahead.

Everything You Are Going Through Is Preparing You for What You Prayed For It’s one of those truths that’s easy to say but hard to live out—especially when life feels like it’s falling apart. But here’s the thing: God doesn’t waste anything. Every struggle, delay, and setback is shaping you for ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, James 1:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Answers

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 13, 2025

One of the greatest assurances we have as believers is that Jesus answers when we call upon Him. Unlike men, who may ignore or delay in responding, Jesus always hears and answers at the right time. He is not too busy to listen, nor is He indifferent to our cries.

JESUS ANSWERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." – Jeremiah 33:3 Supporting Texts: Matthew 7:7-8, 1 John 5:14-15, Psalm 91:15, Isaiah 65:24, John 14:13-14 INTRODUCTION: One of the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 7:7-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

While Waiting To Be Crowned

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Feb 1, 2003

Since you and I can’t be Crowned “Till death shall set me free and then go home,” I thought it would be profitable and pertinent to probe this Interim Period of Delay. And so the Question is: WHAT MUST YOU AND I DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED? I wonder, a

“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me. The consecrated cross I’ll bear till death shall set me free; And then go home my crown to wear. For there’s a crown for me.” I feel led of God the Holy Spirit to address this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Always Keep Believing In Jesus! Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 5, 2021

We must believe... 1. That Jesus can do the impossible (vs. 18). 2. When His help is delayed (vs. 19-22). 3. When the crowd doubts (vs. 23-24). 4. Because we will surely see more miracles (vs. 24-26, 22).

Always Keep Believing in Jesus! The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared November 5, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Today we will study two of the countless miracles Jesus performed during His 3-year ministry on earth. These two miracles are recorded ...read more

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

Denomination: Baptist

Character Study Of Sarah Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 21, 2025

Sarah’s journey from barrenness to motherhood demonstrates God’s faithfulness. Though she had moments of doubt and impatience, she ultimately trusted God and became the mother of nations. Her life reminds us that God’s promises never fail, even when they seem delayed.

CHARACTER STUDY OF SARAH (SARAI) – WIFE OF ABRAHAM, MOTHER OF ISAAC By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 17:15-19 "And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:15-19, Hebrews 11:11, 1 Peter 3:6, Genesis 18:10-15, Genesis 21:1-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprise! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 23, 2016

If you’ve lost all hope, trust Jesus with your life, and don’t be surprised by His delays, His devotion, and His deliverance when it finally does come. It will be far greater than anything you’ve ever asked for: a resurrection instead of a healing.

John Ortberg, pastor of the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church in California, talks about a friend of his, who used to work as a denominational official in Minnesota. One of his jobs was to travel to little rural communities where they didn't have churches to do funerals. He would go out with a funeral ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Opportunities We Miss Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 2, 2023

Why did King Herod - and all of Jerusalem - miss the opportunity to go find Jesus in Jerusalem? And how can we avoid "missing" our opportunity find Jesus as well?

We opened by singing the first verse and chorus of “We three kings of Orient are” “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. CHORUS: O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright. Westward leading, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ