Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Jesus Cleanses The Temple - More Than Just A Nice Guy Series

Contributed by Ken Kersten on Apr 8, 2004

This sermon examines God’s expectations and dissapointments with people of faith who don’t live up to their name.

Jesus – More then just a nice guy – John 2:12-17 Speedy Morris is the coach of the basketball team at LaSalle University. He said one day he was in the upstairs bathroom shaving when his wife told him he was wanted on the phone by Sports Illustrated. For the coach of a Division One ...read more

Scripture: John 2:12-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Way Of Kingdom Growth

Contributed by Dean Shriver on Jun 1, 2006

Have you ever noticed that when God works, He seldom works the way we expect Him to? Would you expect God to move someone to Utah so they could find Christ? Yet that’s exactly what He did with some of you. How many times do we expect God to act one way

September 26, 2004 THE WAY OF KINGDOM GROWTH Matthew 13:31-33 Have you ever noticed that when God works, He seldom works the way we expect Him to? Would you expect God to move someone to Utah so they could find Christ? Yet that’s exactly what He did with some of you. How many times do we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A 10

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 28, 2013

Expect conflict on your way to being a “10.” Hannah was most likely Elkanah’s first wife who proved to be infertile so he took a second wife named Paninnah. When we are on our way to being “10s” expect conflict to be a part of the journey.

How to be a 10 Mother’s Day May 12, 201 Dr. Mike Fogerson Introduction The story of Israel in the Bible is a living demonstration of the fact that the Lord does win the battle. A As we enter 1 Samuel, Israel is a Spiritual and Political mess. 1 Israel wasn’t an united people as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Examined Life

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Aug 7, 2008

We need to examine our lives to see how they match up to God’s expectations of us.

I assume you’ve all heard of Socrates, the great Greek philosopher. He was sentenced to death in 399BC because he dared to criticise the immorality of Greek Society. His only defence at his trial was that he was doing Athens a great service by questioning the way they thought. When his friends ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25

Denomination: Anglican

Blessed Are The Merciful Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

Our God is a merciful God, and expects those of us who have received his mercy to be merciful as well.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Are you a merciful person? Yet that is what our Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be. In Luke 6:36, our Lord said, "Therefore be mersiful, just as your Father is also merciful." Our God is a merciful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Our Motivation To Evangelise? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 7, 2016

Motivated because JESUS commands us. Motivated because of our LOVE for God and other people. Motivated by the REALITY of Heaven and Hell.

We are continuing in our series on Dynamic Disciples or Dynamic Discipleship and this month our focus is on Evangelism. The Topic we are dealing with today is Our Motivation to Evangelise. So the question to begin is What is our Motivation to Evangelise? I’m sure many people could come up ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

An Unwanted Gift: When God Messes Up Your Plans Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Dec 15, 2005

Chrismtas Realities - Part 4. What happens when God interrupts your plans and your world gets turned upside down?

AN UNWANTED GIFT: WHEN GOD MESSES UP YOUR PLANS Christmas Realities – Part 4 Fourth Sunday of Advent December 18, 2005 Luke 1:26-38 INTRODUCTION: As the Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement age starting next year we are no longer talking about a baby boom, but about a baby bust. In fact ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

House Of Mourning Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2003

One of God’s purposes for our lives is that we enjoy them., but it is not the ONLY purpose. He wants to deepen us, and that comes not so much from joy as it does facing the sober realities of life. Facing life’s realities opens us up to receive wisdom,

Sober Thoughts and Balanced Living OR What Does A Mature Person Look Like? (Ecclesiastes 7:1-22) 1. The gift of enjoyment is a wonderful gift. 2. But remember that from chapter 3, “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” 3. We have to take the good with the bad; like Job, we have to say, “The Lord ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

On Point, I Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Sep 25, 2015

Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. Truly, temptations----works of the devil challenge our daily thoughts and decisions.

ON POINT, I by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith...For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Friends

On Point, Ii Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Sep 25, 2015

Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. Truly, temptations----works of the devil challenge our daily thoughts and decisions.

ON POINT, II by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith...For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Friends

On Point, Iii Series

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Sep 25, 2015

Christ delivered man out of death to the promise of the gift of eternal life yet man thinking he is in the perfection of God's love, sins. However, to sin is an everyday reality of truth---a reality of faith. Truly, temptations----works of the devil challenge our daily thoughts and decisions.

ON POINT, III by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (September 25, 2015) “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith...For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:17

Denomination: Friends

"Hope” In Haggai And Zechariah: True, False, Postponed And Perilous Series

Contributed by Wm Darius Myers on Apr 24, 2007

Theme Paper in Haggai-Zechariah, tracing the appropriate applications of hope, despite the difficult realities of our circumstances. An excellent theme for redevelopment pastors to consider.

“Hope” in Haggai and Zechariah: True, False, Postponed and Perilous The Shawshank Redemption: Morgan Freeman tells fellow-inmate Tim Robbins, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Drive a man insane. It’s got no place here.” In a place like Yehud, with the Jews seeking to rebuild the temple amidst ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Going Beyond Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Jul 6, 2019

Second mile walking means we take the extra way. We go beyond what is expected in love and forgiveness.

Title: Going Beyond Theme: Showing the importance of taking the extra step. Text: Matthew 5:41 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-45, Luke 22:33-34

Denomination: Church Of God

Being Submissive In Days Of Rebellion Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Jul 21, 2001

God expects submission to government, submission to employers, submission in marriage, and submission to other Christians.

The word “submit” is the key to this section. This word is very closely related to the word “humility.” To submit requires humility. Today we are living in days of pride and rebellion. My wife and I were given a book on parenting written by Dr. James Dobson, and he states that there are twice ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God's Holiness Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 23, 2001

Our God is Holy and He expects those who love Him to be holy also!

INTRODUCTION  Today we are going to look an attribute of God that is one that is central to God and who He is.  The attribute that I want us to consider today is one that when we understand it, it will change our whole outlook on our relationship with God. Once we understand this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ