Sermons on Exceeding Expectations:

The First And Second Temple

Contributed by Jaco Bester on Mar 11, 2004

Far too often we are Kept back and even demoralized by the memories of past successes of other people, afraid that we won’t live up to the expectations placed upon us - take heed from the prophet Haggai!

"THE FIRST AND SECOND TEMPLE" HAGGAI 2:1 - 9 SCRIPTURE: In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Words Of Distinction - "Daily"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 30, 2003

In this New Year’s message, we see that there are some activities that God expects of us DAILY in the coming new year ... Daily Prayer, Daily Praise, Daily Bible Study, Daily Crucifixion, Daily Exhortation, Daily Service.

WORDS OF DISTINCTION – “Daily” INTRODUCTION: Today, being the first Sunday of the new year … we begin a new SERIES … “Words Of Distinction”. For the next several weeks, we will look at some DISTINCTIVE words in the Bible. We will explore their MEANING … and their APPLICATION to our Christian ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Prayer Of Jabez

Contributed by David Seeley on Aug 4, 2004

What did Jabez expect from God when he prayed? What did he receive from God? Examine with me the prayer of Jabez and how his example of faith can help increase our faith.

The Prayer of Jabez Text: I Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Holiness

Preventing Another 9/11

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 13, 2005

Our leaders say that these kinds of events are now the norm. We should expect them, prepare for them, and be diligent in watching for the seeds of such action. Signs are up, all over this country asking us to be diligent, to communicate suspicious activ

PREVENTING ANOTHER 9/11 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. PROPOSITION: national healing is only ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Passion And Plight Of Pastors Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Jul 6, 2005

Pastor are not perfect, yet they are often expected to walk a thin line between love and conviction, heart and mind, between right and wrong. This places pastor firmly between the title of today’s message. Pastoring is then either a plight or a passion.

UNDERSTANDING THE PASSION AND PLIGHT OF PASTORS 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 INTRODUCTION: Pastoral ministry is often a precarious ministry. Many times pastors walk into or are called to situations, which are delicate and or sensitive in nature. Often, pastor are misconstrued, misquoted, and roasted. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

How Jesus Held His Disciples Accountable

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 25, 2006

Jesus wanted a return on His investment in people. The Lord expects everyone to give a reckoning for what they have done or with whatever they have been given - time, talents, and resources. Jesus held the disciples to a high level of accountability becau

How Jesus Held His Disciples Accountable Matthew 4:19-4:19 Jesus wanted a return on His investment in people. The Lord expects everyone to give a reckoning for what they have done or with whatever they have been given - time, talents, and resources. Jesus held the disciples to a high level ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Never Give Up On The Lost

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 26, 2006

This is the second part of a two-part message. The two things needed to reach the lost is (1) compassion, and (2) persistent effort. We cannot remain passive and expect the lost to return. We need to make connections with the lost constantly.

The sinners flock to Jesus, not because He preaches a compromising message but for the way they were treated – Jesus loves them. • The first thing needed for reaching the lost is compassion. • We need to show more compassion to those we need to bring to Christ. • Love makes the different. It ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Praying Big

Contributed by Carl Willis on Feb 7, 2007

We cannot fathom the complete nature of God. His works are indescribable...and yet we continue to pray with low expectations. When God becomes the centerpiece of our prayer life, our prayers will rise to a greater level.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (HCSB) Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez called out to the God of Israel: “If only You would bless me, extend my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Looking For Love In All The Right Places

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Sep 15, 2007

Sometimes we expect the wrong things from God. We want health and wealth. He gives us His love. Which is better? The gift He gives. If we would only take what He gives.

Hate talking about busyness and misplaced priorities – but it is a real problem We don’t have that problem though – here we are in church on a Wednesday night Or do we? Are we guilty of the same misplaced priorities and looking in the wrong places for the answers to life’s questions? Shared ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

Denomination: Lutheran

No Spiritual Elite Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 16, 2007

There is a sad tendency on the part of all churches. That some people become regarded as a spiritual elite. That they, in some way, have more of an expectation to be heard by God and to have a say in the church’s operation than everyone else. This is a mi

No Spiritual Elite Ephesus - Year 10 Ephesians 2:11-18 There is a sad tendency on the part of all churches, including Ephesus and Norma. That some people become regarded as a spiritual elite. That they, in some way, have more of an expectation to be heard by God and to have a say in the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-18

Denomination: Mennonite

Who Do You Think You're Talking To? Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Jun 23, 2007

In our story today, the Forbidding Pharisees are back and do they ever have an attitude! They have a whole slew of legislated laws regarding the Sabbath that they expect everyone to keep with exacting detail, and they have made it their life’s work to ens

Jesus and the Forbidding Pharisees – Part 2 Who Do You Think You’re Talking To? Matthew 12:1-14 During the Victorian era, one how-to-do-it-right manual was Lady Gough’s Book of Etiquette. In this volume, putting books by male authors next to books by female authors was forbidden – unless the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Watch & Be Ready

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 3, 2008

In Jesus’ last sermon before He was betrayed, He stressed the need to keep watch and be ready for His return, emphasizing it with three parables. Are you doing what He expects from you? This ought to be our concern today.

We’ve just read a portion of Jesus’ last sermon to His disciples before He was betrayed. • It stretches from Chapter 23 to 25, with a large part of it about His second coming. • This is the main theme of His long message. It is understandable, since He is about to leave them. • Jesus needs to tell ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-46

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why I Come To Church

Contributed by Deldrick Leasure on May 31, 2010

This sermon brings to light the excitment of the Psalm writer, when he declared that he was glad when they said let us go into The House of The Lord. The sermon tells us what to look for and expect when we come to church

Psalm 122:1 “Why I Come To Church” During election times we often hear about the various polls that are taken during this time. You have what is known as a straw poll, then you have a telephone poll, then in recent years they have even come up with what is known as the online poll. All of these ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Methodist

Walking With Jesus In God's Plan

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Apr 26, 2011

We expect the big things from Jesus, and are thrilled with them. But here he is, doing a rather small miracle that seems a little out of place. But what is going on, and what can we learn from it?

Passage: Matthew 21:18-22 Intro: We are getting a glimpse today into the everyday life of the two natures of Jesus Christ. 1. theologians will tell us that Jesus walked on the earth as a fully human being. 2. and at the same time, He was fully God. 3. so this little event of the withering ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Faith To Fight Satan Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Sep 21, 2009

Just share Jesus with an unbeliever? That’s how he becomes converted? Yeah, it sounds about as foolish as marching around a fortress and expecting its walls to crumble. But then again it’s God’s plan so...

The International Ice Hockey Federation recently picked it as the #1 hockey story of the century. The “Miracle On Ice,” as it became known, was a 1980 Olympic medal-round match between the top-ranked Soviet Union and a group of amateur and college players from the U.S. No one thought the Americans ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran