Sermons on Expect Better:

Jesus The Christ Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Nov 12, 2007

The Jews expected a Messiah, was it Jesus?

Jesus Who? November 11, 12, & 15, 2007 Jesus The Christ Jesus the Messiah It may be surprising, but “Christ” is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title, and a description. “Christ” is from the Greek word that translated the Hebrew word “Messiah:” They both mean “Anointed One.” In Jesus’ day, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:18-20

Denomination: *other

How To Defeat Temptation Series

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Nov 12, 2010

Expect, detect, and reject temptation

I. EXPECT TEMPTATION A. Even the godly are tempted. B. Even the guarded are tempted. II. DETECT TEMPTATION A. Recognize the source of temptation B. Realize the force of temptation. III. REJECT TEMPTATION A. To Overcome The Flesh We Need FLIGHT B. To Overcome The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Denomination: Baptist

An Open-Ended Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2018

Waiting faith and expectant trust.

AN OPEN-ENDED PRAYER. Psalm 123:1-4. This is a short, impassioned prayer: a plea for help in the face of adversaries. It begins with adoration, with an abrupt “Unto You…” (PSALM 123:1). This is a song of Ascents and its opening may be paralleled to another: ‘I to the hills will lift ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 123:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Opposition (Ezra 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 29, 2025

Should churches expect opposition?

When we are building something for God, should we expect opposition? Do we sometimes have to wait patiently for God’s hand? Let’s look at Ezra 4. Do enemies sometimes pretend to be friends? What happened as former exiles began to rebuild the temple? Then the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did The Jewish Public Not Believe Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 12, 2025

It has to do with Messianic expectations.

Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter 2025 Why is it, do you think, that the vast majority of the Jews living in the early days of the Church found themselves unable to believe in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, the answer to their prayers and the fulfillment of the OT? After all, He had lived ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:26-33, Psalm 2:6-11, John 14:1-6, Matthew 28:17

Denomination: Catholic

The Prodigal Son: Are You The Younger Or Older Brother?

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 18, 2026

Lifestyle contradicts family expectation.

I. The Prodigal Son Prodigal, adj. (1) wasteful, reckless, or extravagant, (2) giving into desires or weaknesses, (3) spend resources unnecessarily, i.e., spend thrift ~Webster II. Picture of the Younger Son To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Principles We Learn From The Farmer (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Feb 2, 2005

Principles for becoming a better witness for Jesus Christ.

Sowing Hope in a Hopeless World (Part 1) “In my travels over the decades, I have found that people are the same the world over. However, in recent years I find that there is an increasing problem that I would sum up in the word “hopeless.” It may be because we get the news of troubles, problems, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Discipleship Series

Contributed by David Yarbrough on May 20, 2002

Our whole goal is to lead people to fall in love with God. Not to make them better people or better Christians, but to help them to better know the awesome power and intimacy of God’s love, and that will radically change their hearts and lives.

Our whole goal is to lead people to fall in love with God. Not to make them better people or better Christians, but to help them to better know the awesome power and intimacy of God’s love, and that will radically change their hearts and lives. Humor: A rather pompous-looking deacon was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prayer That Brings Response

Contributed by Robert Mitchell on Mar 3, 2008

A look a how to pray and expect a response.

Prayer that brings response 2/27/08 In the beginning of Acts Chapter 3 Peter and John heal a beggar as they are going into the temple. They then take the time to preach to those who saw or, heard about it, and let them know that it is through the power of Jesus and not their own power that this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Baptist

It's Noah's Day All Over Again, You'd Better Get Into The Ark

Contributed by Bishop William Bryant Wilmore, Jr. on Jul 7, 2003

As it was in the days of Noah, so it seems to be in our day. Unbelievers need to get into the safety of God’s ark before it’s too late.

36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Baptist

Well, Things Did Not Work Out....so What! God Has A Better Plan!

Contributed by Jennifer Casto on Jan 9, 2007

•Endure to the end! We must look to God to lead and guide us in ALL that we do, say, think, feel, and in all our decisions. We all need help making choices. The best help I know of is found in God. God gave you the power to choose...but we MUST stop put

SERMON: Well, Things Didn’t Work Out? SO WHAT! GOD HAS A BETTER PLAN! Jennifer Mears (12/18/2006) Dominion Harvest Fellowship Church • We must look to God to lead and guide us in ALL that we do, say, think, feel, and in all our decisions. We all need help making choices. The best help I know ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:36-37

Denomination: *other

Naomi: A Bitter Woman Constantly Desiring Better, Ended Up A Nourisher Lesson 6 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 18, 2023

We can list Naomi’s mistakes, but we remember how God used her in spite of them.

A. HOW NAOMI COMPROMISED 1. She compromised her spiritual priorities. a. Did not continue in difficulties. “A famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). b. Enticed by the well-watered plains of Moab (1:1). c. Left the Promised Land. “Ephrathites of Bethlehem" (Judah 1:2). 2. She compromised her ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:20, Ruth 4:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

The World System's Utopian Fantasies & The Resistance Awaiting A Better World

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 5, 2021

One may browse through a hundred news articles a day or reflect on the situations facing humanity with great trembling. And one may reflect back upon history to consider how history repeats itself.

I'd like to arrange several elements which we'll reference during this reflection. We'll be referencing sources including Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, the novels 1984 and Animal Farm by Orwell, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, an obscure Walt Disney film from 1979 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:11-12, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:13

Denomination: Salvation Army

Naomi: A Bitter Woman Constantly Desiring Better, Ended Up A Nourisher Lesson 7 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 5, 2025

God can overlook the sins and mistakes of your youth and use you in your old age.

A. HOW NAOMI COMPROMISED 1. She compromised her spiritual priorities. a. Did not continue in difficulties. “A famine in the land” (Ruth 1:1). b. Enticed by the well-watered plains of Moab (1:1). c. Left the Promised Land. “Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah” (1:2). 2. She compromised her ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15, Ruth 4:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says No

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 26, 2019

What is it that you expect from God when you pray? What answer do you expect to receive?

WHEN GOD SAYS NO Introduction: What is it that you expect from God when you pray? What answer do you expect to receive? Surely most of us phrase our prayers in such a way that all God has to do is say, "Yes, yes my child." Most of the testimonies that we hear are such that God says, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:16, 2 Corinthians 12:8

Denomination: Pentecostal