Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Jesus In The Real World

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Feb 20, 2008

Christmas message based on the reality that Jesus came as a real person so we can know God.

Jesus in the Real World Luke 2:1-24 December 9, 2007 NOTE: THE ME/WE/GOD/YOU/WE FORMAT USED IN MY MESSAGES IS BORROWED FROM ANDY STANLEY’S BOOK, "COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE." We: Raise your hand if you either are a teenager or you’ve been a teenager. Now raise your hand if at anytime during your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-24

Denomination: Wesleyan

Mustard Seed Size Faith

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Oct 3, 2010

We should expect that even small faith can have a big impact, if...

During the time we lived on Guam Cheryl and I were fortunate enough to spend two weeks vacationing in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. I could go on for hours about how wonderful Australia is and how much we enjoyed our time and the people there. (It was a much needed break from the pressure cooker ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: *other

God Is Always Working Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 11, 2013

How much do our assumptions and expectations limit us from seeing the real Jesus?

God is Always Working Series: Naturally Supernatural Brad Bailey – September 29, 2013 INTRO Social science has revealed a truth that can serve us well: WE T SEE REALITY AS IT IS...BUT ACCORDING TO PRECONCEIVED PARADIGMS Back in the 1940's, two researchers conducted an interesting experiment ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Magnificat

Contributed by Larry Grant on Dec 25, 2022

In one great act, God has reversed the order of society. Only those who are willing to humble themselves before the Lord can expect anything from the Lord. Those who are willing to admit their sin can expect to be saved. Those who are willing to admit their need can expect to be blessed.

Luke 1:46-49 THE MAGNIFICAT "My soul magnifies the Lord" December 25, 2022 The Setting: Mary has just been visited by the angel Gabriel and told of the miraculous life that is now in her womb. She has just made the journey to her cousin Elizabeth, who is also expecting, in her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-49

Denomination: Baptist

Secured To The Dock

Contributed by Brian Shelley on Sep 3, 2001

If, in your spiritual immaturity, you go back to your old religion, expect that God will keep you there.

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Secured to the Dock Intro William Hazlitt, 19th century English essayist said, “When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest. If Hazlitt was right, this will be one of the most interesting sermons I will ever preach because it comes ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Look Both Ways Before Crossing

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on May 10, 2012

Sometimes our attenion becomes so focused in one direction that we fail to acknowledge other realities.

TITLE: LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING SCRIPTURE: ST. LUKE 14:25-33 I want to lift up this morning as a thought – Look Ways Before Crossing. This has always been sound advice. Matter of fact it is one of the earliest recollections of instructions that I have as a child. I can recall ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Baptist

Forget The Things Of The Past Series

Contributed by Rev. Reynaldo Bechayda on Sep 8, 2010

A sermon on how a believers are expected to move forward... forget the things of the past and finish the race.

“Forget the Things of the Past” Philippians 3:12-13 (ESV) Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O.u.a.t. (Once Upon A Time)

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 15, 2005

This sermon calls into question whether the events of Jesus resurrection appearances were reality and how that relates to our lives.

Once Upon A Time – John 20: 19-31 Intro: Once Upon A Time is usually used at the beginning of most children’s stories or fairy tales. – The stories may seem believable but we know by the “once upon a time” it probably isn’t true. What if the story of the life and ministry of Jesus began with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

And Then Some!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

James Byrnes, Sec’y of State under FDR, said that the difference between successful people & average people can be summed up in 3 words, "and then some." He said, "Average people do what is expected. Successful people do what is expected, & then some."

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BROWNSVILLE, TX A. When we read the Bible, one of the things that has to impress us is that God is often calling upon His people to do things they normally couldn’t do by themselves, but that they can do with His help. God is always saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prince Caspian: Calling For Help, And The Unexpected Answer Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 21, 2009

God answers our calls, but not always in ways that are expected, and yet, they are wonderful beyond knowing.

Prince Caspian: Calling for help, and the unexpected answer Jeremiah 32:42-33:3 Faith is called faith because we have no proof. We believe in God and we accept His presence in our lives, not because we can say what He looks like and how tall He is, but because we rely on the evidence of our ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

The Da Vinci Code: Is The New Testament Reliable?

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on May 23, 2006

There are a lot of myths and doubt floating around about the New Testament. The reality is it is reliable, true and life giving!

Is The Bible Reliable? May 21, 2006 1 John 1 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: *other

Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 24, 2006

Those who were expecting God’s deliverer, the Messiah, were confused when Jesus came on the scene offering a Kingdom, not of this world as they expected, but a Kingdom to Come of Peace and Trusting Service.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 St. Matthew 11:2-10 Unexpected Messiah During the Advent Season we sang hymns and read lessons about the promised Christ, the Messiah who would deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. Many First Century followers of St. John the Baptist as well as followers of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

The Program Of Progress Series

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Sep 23, 2008

Just as we expect our children to grow, mature, and excell, God expects the same from His children. We can either falling back, or"Take it to the next level."

Taking It To The Next Level “Program of Progress” By:Pastor Donny Granberry For the next couple of weeks or so we are going to be looking at different means of taking it to the next level. When many students graduate High School, they will go to a College or University to further their education ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Study God's Word Faithfully Series

Contributed by Jason Cole on Mar 12, 2007

We expect the members of the church to be growing and maturing in Christ, we expect them to be students of the Word who crave the solid food and not just the spiritual milk for faith come from hearing...

“What is Expected of a Church Member: Study God’s Word” Introduction: Perhaps one of the things that there is the most confusion among people claiming to be Christians is church membership. Many people assume that since their name is on the church role book or because they go to church on ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joel, The Simple Man Series

Contributed by Paul Basehore on Oct 14, 2014

Don’t overcomplicate it by expecting God to move in a certain way; just expect Him to move, and listen for His voice. What comes next just may surprise you.

Time is something that has always fascinated me. As a kid I would always love to watch time travel movies like Back to the Future and TV shows like Dr. Who. I very rarely can be seen without wearing a watch of some sort. One of the things that has always fascinated me about time is that an hour ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God