Sermons on Exceeding Expectations:

We're Still Here, What Now? Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jan 2, 2013

As I’m sure most of us expected, the world did not come to an end before Christmas, and Jesus didn’t come back for the second coming at Christmas. Does that mean we should just keep on going about our business as usual? The question I want to ask us this

If he had come back, everything would be changed, but I want to submit to you that things can still be changed in the way we live for Christ. Will we make a new or stronger commitment to follow Jesus in this New Year ahead of us? Because the fact still remains that we could be gone, at any ...read more

Life, A Cathedral

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Sep 5, 2011

How should one ’feel’ when rubbing shoulders with God? Can we be expected to feel something specific to the occasion? Maybe what I feel and how I behave has much to do with how I understand authority; how I respect or despise it; maybe my behaving and fee

Life, a Cathedral Scripture: Exodus 3:1-5 Glenys and I recently vacationed in Quebec. While there, two experiences stood out for me as the highlights of our vacation. These impressed me, not in the sense that it met my entertainment approval but these affected me and my sense of things. The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-5

Denomination: Salvation Army

Do You See? Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

When we look through the eyes of God at the people around us, we don’t see the surface. We don’t see the socially acceptable or expected. We don’t see just the past and the mistakes. We see a lost child of God, and we see an opportunity to share a stor

Do You See? Breaking Boundaries 4 Feb 8, 2009 Luke 7:36-50 Intro: Charlie chaplin face illusion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_vtZXELRK8&eurl=http://www.moillusions.com/2006/06/charlie-chaplin-hollow-face-illusion.html&feature=player_embedded The British guy narrating the clip makes a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' First Miracle Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 20, 2019

“This just doesn’t seem to make much sense.” How many times do you think the people there for Jesus' first miracle asked that question? This event in the life of Jesus confirms exactly who Jesus was and how God works – amazing solutions that we would have never expected.

Just this past week, one of my daughters was looking through the scrapbooks that my wife has assembled throughout the years of various events in their lives. One of the things you’ll find for each of them is the famous “First day of school” picture. Those pictures are kind of fun to look at and ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

You Must Be Holy Because God Is Holy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 24, 2017

Some of God’s commandments & statutes we find easy to follow, others are a little more difficult for us to faithfully follow. God has given us a command that is explicit in the standard He expects us to live by: "You must be holy because I am holy"

God’s definition of Holy We continue in our preaching series on discovering your destiny. For the next few weeks, we are going to be considering how setting high standards in our lives is important as disciples of Jesus. This morning we are going to think about what it means to be decent and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16, Galatians 5:16-25, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:2-3, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, Ephesians 1:4, Leviticus 20:26, 1 Peter 2:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beatitudes: Semon On The Mount Series

Contributed by Byron Martin on Jun 12, 2017

Two truths that Jesus shared. 1. Do Good to Please God. ( Matthew 6: 1-4.) Give without letting others know. 2. Love Your Enemies. (Matthew 5: 38-42) Its actually a really hard thing what Jesus expects of us as Christians. It is hard to be a Christian.

There is a series of teaching that Jesus did while preaching to crowds in the countryside that begins in Matthew chapter 5 and goes to chapter 7. He was preaching on a wide range of subjects and had a way of opening up the scriptures for all to understand. But he also added to the scripture by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Cosmic War On Earth”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Jan 21, 2021

An opening illustration from George Patton. The point of Mark’s opening words in Chapter 1? 1) The time of the Messiah has come. God’s Son has arrived onto the earth He created in order to destroy the devil. 2) If we believe in Jesus we can expect to be tempted as well.

In Jesus Holy Name January 24, 2021 Text: Mark 1:12 Epiphany III Redeemer “The Cosmic War on Earth” When General George Patton counter-attacked Field Marshal Rommel in World War II, Patton ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

How You Finish Matters!

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Sep 3, 2020

It is easy to make a good start. Finishing well is important! Many today decide to quit smoking/alcohol. They do without for few days. But then, they start all over again. Starting with a weight-loss diet program is exciting, but we can get our expected results only if we hang into it for long.

Paul, in his letter to Timothy, exhorts him to keep running well. Paul was nearing his death. Paul could look into his past and confidently say that he had fought the good fight and had kept the faith till the end. 2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7, 1 Kings 15:9-24, 2 Chronicles 14:2

Trial By Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 22, 2021

1 Peter 4:12-19 prepares us to 1) Expect suffering (1 Peter 4:12), 2) Exult in suffering (1 Peter 4:13-14), 3) Evaluate suffering (1 Peter 4:15-18), and 4) Entrust suffering to God (1 Peter 4:19).

1 Peter 4:12-19. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Other

Honored By God Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 15, 2021

All of us like to claim the promises of God for our lives, but oftentimes we fail to do all that God expects of us. There are two groups of people in this world, one group who honor God by giving Him the topmost priority in their lives and the other group who go to Him only when in trouble.

Psalm 91 - Study 38 - Honored by God We read in Psalm 91:15,“When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (ESV) In this message we will study the last part of the above verse which talks about the fact that God not only rescues us, but ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:15

Denomination: Other

Out Of The Depths I Cried

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Jun 28, 2020

Discouragement is part of life. Discouragement comes most often when you do right things but experience poor results. You work hard, but you don't make progress. You have expectations and goals and they don’t come to pass. You seek change and yet nothing changes.

“Out of the Depths I cried” By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. When we think of Depth we think of the distance from the top or surface to the bottom of something. It is used to specify the distance below the top or surface of something to which someone or something percolates or at which ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-2, Psalm 42:11, Jeremiah 20:1-13

Denomination: Apostolic

Dirty Tricks Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jul 6, 2009

When Satan comes against God’s people, he doesn’t use a rule book. The Bible describes him as the father of lies. He is a liar. So why would we expect a liar to fight fair? In our passage today, we can see four dirty tricks of the enemy.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ Believe it or not, I used to be pretty rough as a kid. We moved around a lot. And one of the things that can happen when you move a lot is you can get in a lot of fights. People want to see what the new kid is all about. They want to see how he fits in. So ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Discipleship Lifestyle - Sacrificial Love Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 20, 2016

As dynamic disciples of Jesus, we have to do what God expects us to do. Even if it’s difficult, even if it goes against what the world says is acceptable, even if it means we have to be different, we need to choose to do what He has commanded us to do.

We are continuing our series on Dynamic Disciples or Dynamic Discipleship and this month our focus has been on The Lifestyle of a Disciple. This morning I want us to consider together what it means for us, as disciples of Jesus, to have a Lifestyle of Love, and specifically I want us to think ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

Character Study Of Amos Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 24, 2025

Amos’ life and message remind us that God expects justice, righteousness, and genuine worship from His people. He calls us to stand against oppression, live with integrity, and obey His commands. His message is still relevant today as we strive to uphold God’s standards in our society.

CHARACTER STUDY OF AMOS – PROPHET OF JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Amos 5:24 "But let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." Supporting Texts: Amos 1:1, Amos 3:7, Amos 4:12, Amos 7:14-15, Isaiah 1:17, Micah 6:8, Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:24, Amos 3:7, Amos 4:12, Amos 7:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Coming One, Rest On Jesus - Matthew 11:1-30 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Apr 24, 2025

When things don't go as expected, we often begin to question and doubt. By reflecting and trusting the facts, and remaining firm in the Promises fulfilled and yet to come, we can find peace in trusting HIM. The invitation has been given, "Come unto Me and find peace."

2025.04.27. Sermon Notes. THE COMING ONE, REST ON JESUS, MATTHEW 11 William Akehurst, HSWC INTRO: When things don't go as expected we often begin to question our thinking. But if we remind ourselves of the established facts, and choose to continue in them, we will be blessed. The Coming One ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18, Matthew 11:1-30, John 1:29-34, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35, Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1, Malachi 4:5, Luke 1:17, Matthew 23:13, 1 Peter 1:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational