Sermons on Expectancy:

Fruitless Trees

Contributed by Steven Haguewood on Aug 8, 2008

The Lord is patient toward us but still expects repentance. Throughout the years He has shown exceptional patience but one day that patience will run out, and where will you be?

FRUIITLESS TREES The Need for Repentance Text: Luke 13:1-9 Scripture Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7 INTRODUCTION: 1. Fruit trees are nice to have. 2. They give us beautiful blossoms, nice shade, and most of all delicious fruit to eat. 3. When a tree no longer produces the fruit desired, it is no longer ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

A Satisfying Meal Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 29, 2012

Following Jesus is not easy. Sometimes what he expects of us seems too difficult; sometimes it just doesn’t seem to make sense. It is then that we need to obey.

Introduction You have heard the term Christ-figure. It is a literary term for a character in a story who is like a savior or sacred figure. Those of you who have read John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath might remember Jim Casey, a fallen preacher who helps migrant workers. It is no ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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 Shadow Of His Style Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 17, 2009

Believers need to learn to expect the unexpected and inexplicable from God, but we won’t experience such until we are sold on God’s one agenda and striving with one accord.

The shadow of your smile When you are gone Will color all my dreams And light the dawn… The year was 1965. The movie was The Sandpiper. The stars were Elizabeth Taylor as the seductress and the late Richard Burton as the Episcopal priest she seduced. The sentiment in the song is that our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: *other

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

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

Look Like Light, Taste Like Salt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 20, 2017

In explaining life following Jesus (discipleship), Jesus uses two elements from everyday life to explain His expectations and the results of being a disciple. The first is salt. The second is light.

Look like Light, Taste Like Salt MATTHEW 5:13-16 #discipleship READ MATTHEW 5:13-16 [congregation reads along aloud] "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Look Like Light, Taste Like Salt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

In explaining life following Jesus (discipleship), Jesus uses two elements from everyday life to explain His expectations and the results of being a disciple. The first is salt. The second is light.

Look like Light, Taste Like Salt MATTHEW 5:13-16 #discipleship READ MATTHEW 5:13-16 [congregation reads along aloud] "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Invitation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2020

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14.

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Matthew 22:1-2 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Administration And Spirituality Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

The newly accepted believers made a complaint in the early Church, and they expected Apostles would visit them and care for them. There was a cultural clash based on ethnicity, and language, and background of their previous identity.

Acts 6:1-7 Administration and Spirituality 6:1 Complaints of Believers 6:2-4 Concentrations of Apostles 6:5-6 Contributions of Deacons 6:7 Contours of the Church Acts 6:1 Complaints of Believers The newly accepted believers made a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Disciples Of Jesus Are Devoted To Jesus Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 30, 2020

Disciples of Jesus are all about following Jesus and helping others follow Jesus. Therefore it is important for disciples to know and teach the truth about who Jesus is and what Jesus expects.

Introduction: A. One Sunday after coming home from worship, a mother asked her young son, “So, who was your Bible class teacher today?” 1. The little boy replied, “I don’t know her name but she must have been Jesus’ grandmother - all she did was talk about Jesus.” 2. I love that – don’t you? And ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:10-13, John 1:1-5, Hebrews 1:1-3, Hebrews 2:14-18, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Ephesians 2:4-10, 1 John 2:22-23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Praying Through A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2021

The church ought to pray with great expectation because (1) God sees our trials, (2) God hears our prayers (3) and God will take care of our enemies.

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” The graphic scene of Acts 12 is not strange to the Church. The church has always faced opposition. Since its inception, the devil has been trying to stop the church and even to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-25, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36, Mark 11:17

Denomination: Methodist

Interracial Marriage Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Only the believer can see race from within the kingdom of God, and through the mind of Christ. We cannot expect that non-Christians will share this view. It is an exclusive Christian view.

A boy in Harvard College, many years back, got his father in Maine to come to Cambridge and see the football game between Yale and Harvard. As they sat down, the boy slapped his father on the back and said, "Dad, for three dollars you are going to see more fight than you ever ...read more