Sermons on Exceeding Expectations:

Sermon # 40 - Beware Of Hypocrisy Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jun 22, 2023

Is it permissible for a believer to lead a dichotomous life? Here’s what the word of God teaches about hypocrisy, and the kind of life that God expects us to lead as His disciples.

Jesus’ words to his disciples in Luke 12:1, “Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot. And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:1, Matthew 23:3, Matthew 23:5-6, Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 23:24, Luke 18:10-12, Luke 18:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Our Greatest Hope Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God may not meet our expectations in every situation, but He ultimately fulfills our greatest hopes and is always present with us, even when He seems distant.

Hey guys! Today, we're going to talk about something we all experience: disappointment. You know, those times when things don't go the way we want or expect them to. And sometimes, it feels like God isn't showing up when we need Him the most. But I want to share a story from the Bible that shows us ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Topics: Unexpected Joy, Hidden Blessings, Unseen Opportunities, Hopeful Discoveries

The Surprising Kingdom - Palm Sunday Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Mar 4, 2024

The Kingdom of God is full of surprises, and we should be open to receiving it in unexpected ways. This is evident in the story of Palm Sunday, where Jesus enters Jerusalem in a way that no one expected.

Hey guys, today is Palm Sunday, the kick-off of Holy Week, when Jesus cruised into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was a total curveball because people were expecting a different kind of king. God's Kingdom is full of surprises, and we gotta be ready for them. God's Kingdom is full of surprises, and we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Topics: Divine Kingdom, Unexpected Grace, God's Sovereignty, Kingdom Parables

Dumb Dogs Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 14, 2013

Jesus is not impressed with the outward trappings of self-righteousness. He is impressed with a heart full of simple faith, which we find most often in the hearts of those we least expect. So like Jesus feed the "dogs" and touch the "dumb."

Dumb Dogs (Mark 7:24-37) I like this thought posted by Mike Atkinson in his daily email humor list some time ago. "If you can start the day without caffeine; if you can get going without pep pills; if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains; if you can resist complaining and boring ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God Is Able

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 19, 2023

With many things in life, we get disappointed because they don't live up to the advertising. But God always exceeds expectations! He does more than you asked. We take a journey of faith to see what God might want to do if He lived among us today!

GOD IS ABLE Eph. 3:20 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A minister in Texas lamented that it was difficult to get his message across to his congregation. He blamed it on the good weather. 2. He said, “The weather’s so wonderful this winter that heaven doesn’t excite them and it’s so hot here in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A God Who Restores

Contributed by Rhonda Feurtado on Feb 25, 2005

Our god is a God who restores. Even at those times when we feel all is lost, God is there and he promises to restore us, but it may not be in the ways we expect.

A GOD WHO RESTORES Restoration. What a powerful word. What do you think of when you hear that word (pause). Perhaps you imagine your health or marriage restored. Perhaps you imagine your youth or your family restored. Perhaps you imagine you career that is failing or your self-esteem restored. ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:23-32

Denomination: Methodist

God's 20/20 Foresight

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 28, 2005

Using the Bible’s foreviews of the careers of John the Baptist and the Prophet Jeremiah, this sermon encourages believers to persevere in the expectation that God has just as clearly foreseen their conformity to the image of Christ.

Third Sunday in Advent Jeremiah 1:4-19, Luke 1:26-45 “God’s 20/20 Foresight” We have all heard the proverb that says, “Hindsight is always 20-20.” I don’t know of another proverb that says anything similarly pithy and witty about foresight. An obvious reason, I suppose, is that foresight ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Giving Grace

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Jan 20, 2003

Too many times we expect God’s forgiveness, but find it hard or difficult to forgive others. However, this message reminds us that we must always be willing to forgive.

GIVING GRACE Matthew 18:21-35 INTRODUCTION: A. Tis the season to be jolly 1. Itfs the season of love, joy, and peace on earth, good will toward men a. Itfs also the season of long lines, credit cards, traffic jams, and short fuses b. Many grow depressed or irritable c. While some are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Don't Belong

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Oct 8, 2006

Christians don’t fit in the world because we are not like the world. Sermon explores our relationship with God, God’s expectations from us, and His promises to us.

I Don’t Belong Have you ever gone someplace where you just didn’t fit in? Do you ever remember being in a group and had the feeling that you didn’t belong? These feelings are prevalent when we move to a new city, or go away on vacation to a foreign country, or try to meet new people in ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Psalms As Prayer

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 18, 2006

Psalms as prayer, Simple prayers model the use of the psalms of prayers. Do we offer simple prayers with expectation and desire and pain...The Psalmist shows us that we can.

Psalms As Prayer God is Great, God is Good Let us thank Him for our food. Amen Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should Die before I wake, I pray the Lord my Soul to take. God Bless Mommy, Daddy, Grand ma, Grand Pa, The dog, the cat …..Amen Prayers of children, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Congregational

The Churches Other Calling

Contributed by Dan Stires on Jan 18, 2007

The church is called on to love and care for those who have need. This sermon deals with how God expects us to help others and the blessings we receive from doing so.

The Church’s Other Calling Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37 Introduction: (find a video that will set the stage for this sermon - check out www.nooma.com) Most of us would know and understand that one of the greatest things we can do in our relationship with God is to emulate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Nazarene

Fate, Failure And Fig Trees (And Why Bad Things Happen To Good People)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 17, 2007

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect.

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Builders In Christ Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 18, 2006

We are all expected to be involved in this "building" project in God’s Kingdom. We are to invest in that which is spiritual, valuable and that which will last. Consider well how you are building today.

(Some pointers in this sermon taken from ’Studies in First Corinthians’ by M. R. DeHaan, M.D.) Consider how you are building your life today. Charles Spurgeon says, "Ask yourself, Have I written in the snow?" Will the things I do endure the lapse of years and the times of change? There will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Destructive Critics

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Jan 18, 2010

Recognize that when you step out on faith, follow God, and try to make a difference, you will be criticized. Expect it and deal with it through prayer, keeping the proper perspective, and being persistent.

DISTRUCTIVE CRITICS Nehemiah 4:1-23 Introduction: In a Charlie Brown comic, Linus is seated with a troubled look on his face, his security blanket over his shoulder, his thumb in his mouth. Turning to Lucy, he asks, “Why are you always so anxious to criticize me?” Her response: “I just think I ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Plans For You Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 6, 2010

Looking forward to the coming year knowing that God has promised He has a perfect plan for each one of us. It may not be the plan we expect but it will always be the best plan.

Well we have reached the final Sunday of 2009, for some 2009 has been a time of great blessing, for others a time of trial. For some 2009 has been a time of joy, for others a time of sadness. We have rejoiced in baptism, rejoiced as people have started worshiping with us or joined the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal