Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Gaining Christ's Gratitude

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 13, 2002

I’ve never thought of God as being "grateful" for me, but the intriguing thing is - He is grateful, but only when we meet certain expectations. What are they?

One soldier stationed on an island of the Philippines during WW II told this story: “Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate our food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, once worked himself into the noontime chow line. Our camp cook spotted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mephibosheth And Me

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 20, 2006

The story of Mephibosheth is a perfect illustration of the Gospel. I used this sermon on a "Friend Day" when we expected many visitors.

Introduction: A. Today I want to tell the story of a man named Mephibosheth. 1. Now there’s a name for you! Anyone want to use that name for their son? 2. It’s so hard to pronounce that I thought about giving him a nickname for today. 3. I thought about just calling him “M.” 4. Then I thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Problem Of Suffering And The Panacea Of Our Savior Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 21, 2025

When in Jesus' ministry of healing and teaching, he addresses the reality of the suffering that we experience and solves the root problem of our suffering - sin.

It’s not uncommon for people to ask the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” Or to state it another way, “if God is good, why do bad things happen?” It can sometimes feel like the worst things in life happen to some of the best people. At times it can feel like God is out to get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Love The Lord Your God: Parenting Beyond Your Capacity

Contributed by Andy Payne on Oct 30, 2010

The reality is there is no perfect family. There is no perfect parent, parenting style, or parenting trick. “... God is more interested in using broken people than He is creating a better picture.”

Love the Lord your God Family Camp 2010 Intro: Perfect parents Parenting Beyond your Capacity Book by Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof “God isn’t holding up a perfect picture; He’s writing a bigger story.” Images of what the ideal family is Flood of parenting books, ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The God Who Is Faithful Series

Contributed by David Simpson on Jan 16, 2021

Greg Laurie wrote a New Year’s Day Devotion in which he shared an acronym for hope. HOPE: Holding On with Patient Expectation

Sermon January 3, 2021 – David Simpson Lanier Christian Church Hope in the God Who is Faithful Lamentations 3:22-25 New Year’s Quotes and Captions for the Realist: Welcome, 2021! Here’s hoping you can’t be worse than last year. Happy 2021! Spoiler Alert: We’re still social distancing. Whatever ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-25

Denomination: Christian Church

Learning From The First Church

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jun 27, 2007

After the Day of Pentecost the first Church was a Learning, Expectant, Active, Generous, United, Evangelistic Church. We have much to learn!

At the start of the year some of you were worried that I had developed a bit of a fixation with pews. If taken out of context it was possible to think that the new Vicar was calling for a return to pews in the church. Personally, I wondered if my reference to pews had anything to do with my concern ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Anglican

An Eye Full

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Mar 3, 2014

If you are a Christian you have been given gifts from God and you are expected to use them for God and His Kingdom.

An eye full Samson – Judges 13-16 Chapter 16:18-31 Reading Each of us is meant to have great potential as a Christian. Jesus himself tells us… John 14:12 NIV 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Willingly

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 13, 2007

A sermon on willing service from Judges 5:1-9, emphasis on vs. 2 and 9. (Outline taken from Pulpit Commentary, Volume 3; Pages 53-54

Sermon for 8/12/2007 Judges 5:2, 9 Willingly Introduction: Video clip- Get Involved (Sermon Spice) WBTU: A. Read Scripture Judges 5:1-9 B. Our Scripture this morning comes from a song of praise from Deborah. 1. The people of Israel chose new gods (vs. 8) and the Lord delivered them into ...read more

Scripture: Judges 5:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Influencing Communities

Contributed by Tim Smith on May 28, 2009

Here in these verses he calls those who follow Him to choose to be a godly influence on the society in which we live. Jesus calls us to change the world around us with our lives. He doesn’t just expect us to live in the world. He expects the world to be t

Influencing Communities Matthew 5:13-15 Robert Lewis writes, “In 1851, many of the most accomplished engineers in the country thought James Roebling was out of his mind. That year, he began to work on the unthinkable: building a bridge over the Niagara River Gorge. Disaster was nearly universally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-15, Matthew 5:1

Denomination: Methodist

Great Humility Proceeds Great Faith

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2001

Great humility is a pre-requisite before we can expect to see great blessings from God.

Matt. 15:21-28 Great humility is a pre-requisite before we can expect to see great blessings from God. Illustration:Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is The Meaning Of The Lord's Supper?

Contributed by Evie Megginson on Aug 20, 2001

We see in this sermon that the Lord’s Supper is AN EXPRESSION,AN EXPLANATION,AN EXPECTATION, AN EXAMINATION, AND AN ENCOURAGEMENT.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE LORD’S SUPPER? I Corinthians 11:23-33 Notice in verse 24, He says “this do”. Jesus expects every Christian to observe the Lord’s Supper. It is not something that optional but rather it is a direct command from Jesus. Every now and then I come in contact with those who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-33, 1 Corinthians 11:23

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Of These Is Love!

Contributed by William Young on Sep 10, 2001

To Help One and all Understand What God Expects of Love and His People. (A true definition.)

The Greatest of these is Love 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Thesis: to help one and all understand what God expects of love and His people. A true definition. Introduction: 1. The badge of our discipleship is our Love a. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Let It Flow

Contributed by Robert Thomas on Mar 12, 2002

A message about Revival. Our need to expect God to work today and a glimpse at what that will look like

Let It Flow John 7:37-39 37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Does Christianity Look Like?

Contributed by Don Schultz on Jul 14, 2004

The parable of the Good Samaritan surprises - it’s not what you’d expect, as a picture of Christianity - but it works.

Luke 10:25-37 WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY LOOK LIKE? Have you ever been surprised when you have met someone in person, surprised by the way that person looked? During the fair, the local radio station personalities are there, and you’re able to see what they look like. And almost always, you’ll hear ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope For The Hurting Series

Contributed by James Buchanan on Sep 21, 2003

The first in a series of three sermons dealing with the hurts in life and how God expects us to handle them.

Today we are going to start a new series, a series that I have entitled Hope for the Hurting. Maybe you are thinking this morning, “Pastor James, that sounds wonderful, but right now, I’m not hurting, and I have plenty of hope.” Well, that’s great, because this message is for you, too. You see, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible