Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Come And See! Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Apr 1, 2013

The heart of our faith is the reality of the resurrection. At the empty tomb three commands were spoken to the two women – “Do not fear – Come and see – Go and tell.” They apply to us today as well!

Come and See! - Matthew 28:1-10 - March 31, 2013 Series: Easter Sunday I’m going to read a few verses to you from the Gospel of Luke as we begin this morning, and as I read them, I invite you to simply listen to what is being said, and to try to grasp the impact that Jesus’ words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: *other

Dazed By Discontent And Disappointment - When Hopes And Dreams Are Shattered On The Rocks Of Regret

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 20, 2025

There are times during the Christian walk, even when the miraculous is happening all around, that things will go haywire as the reality of this life intervenes unannounced, and hopes and dreams are dashed on the rocks of regret, which manifest as fear and anger at God because they feel betrayed.

Fear and hope are similar in that they are both forms of anticipation of the future. Fear is a form of negative hope. A person’s thinking is often dominated either by the dream and hope of success or by fear of failure. When their hopes are not realized, or their desires, dreams, expectations, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:24-25, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Along Comes God

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Sep 6, 2011

Being a dreamer can be good...but it can also be bad depending on what kind of dreams you have and what the basis is for those dreams. Where do dreams come from? Are they products of our own fertile imagination? Are they an escape from reality?

ALONG COMES GOD GENESIS 28:10 19 Have ever been told you’re a dreamer? Being a dreamer can be good...but it can also be bad depending on what kind of dreams you have and what the basis is for those dreams. Where do dreams come from? Are they products of our own fertile imagination? Are ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19

Welcomed By Brethren Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 19, 2017

Paul’s third missionary journey was complete, having begun after a visit to “the church” in the holy city (18:22) and now ending there. His Greek mission was also complete. He would not return. Luke had prepared his readers well for this reality.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016 By: Tom Lowe Lesson: IV.E.1: Welcomed by Brethren (Acts 21:15-26) ACTS 21:15-26 (KJV) 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:15-26

Denomination: Baptist

The World Stinks! Nose Blind? Burn Out (3 Part Series)

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 24, 2019

Let us address the reality: "THE WORLD STINKS!" We can become "NOSE BLIND." We face a major problem of spiritual BURN OUT. Never play like the LONE RANGER.

THE WORLD STINKS? NOSE BLIND? SEEDS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a 3 part series. IS IT BAD WHEN THERE IS STINK IN THE BARN? TEXT: Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Proverbs 14:4 (NLT) Without ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 14:4, Isaiah 3:24, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Exodus 29:25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprised By Prayer Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 19, 2012

Even as I’m concerned about people who misunderstand the purpose of prayer, I’m also concerned about those who do understand, but who seem to pray with no expectation of God honoring prayers or acting on our behalf.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (In preparing this message as part of a sermon series on “Prayer” I have borrowed heavily, and adapted, from an outstanding sermon of the same title by Mike Hays of the Britton Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fisher's Of Men...no Bait Required

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Jan 21, 2016

This is the foundation of how the Church grows. For years I’ve been bothered by the GIMMICK VS. GOSPEL approach to ministry in general and evangelism in particular. It seems we don’t think God’s gospel is quite good enough to reach folks,

Some thoughts in this message are from the archives of C.H. Spurgeon who preached in the 1800’s TITLE: FISHERS OF MEN….NO BAIT REQUIRED SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 4:18-20 / ST. MARK 1:17 Since my return to Ardmore, Deacon Cooley and a few other brothers have taken me out fishing. I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Disappointed By God?

Contributed by Chris Cuthbertson on Jun 6, 2024

What about when God does disappoint us, at least from our perspective? How do we manage that? How do we deal with that? How do we own up to the reality of our disappointment with God?

DISAPPOINTED BY GOD? JOB 36-40 "You have to be present to win," was a sign at a raffle at a retirement center in Florida. I like that sign because that is how ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A New Year A New Commitment Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Jan 4, 2011

New Year’s resolutions are easily broken. New Year’s expectations are a work in progress throughout the entire year. Jesus taught us what is most important in our lives in His Sermon on the Mount.

The trouble with turning over a new leaf is that once you’ve done it twice, you’re right back where you started. What was the greatest blessing for you last year? The whole year, January through December, on what one day did you find your greatest blessing? It may have been the day your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian Church

27 Sweet Wrappers

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Mar 6, 2019

We like to do one of two things with sin - pretend it doesn't matter or pretend it is something only monsters who are nothing like us do. The reality is something more awful.... and more wonderful! A sermon for Ash Wednesday.

...................................................... When my children were younger, sometimes I would be looking for the remote control. You know how it is, no matter what you do, somehow the remote always ends up under the sofa cushion. So I would lift up the sofa cushion. And there would be the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11, Joel 2:1-17, Psalm 51:1-18, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 103:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Fall Of Man

Contributed by Ron Auch Jr on Feb 9, 2020

It refutes atheism, because the universe was created by God. It refutes pantheism. It refutes polytheism, for one God created all things not many gods. It refutes humanism, because God, not man, is the ultimate reality. It refutes evolutionism, because God created all things.

Ron Auch Jr Prayer House AG Feb 9th 2020 Fundamental truth # 4 The FALL OF MAN What would be the trigger word for truth #4? : Door For this scene we will focus on the door going into your bedroom. This door has a hook centered on it near the top of the door. Now, you are coming down the hallway ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:15, Ezekiel 28:12-14, Ezekiel 28:15, John 9:2-3, Ephesians 3:10-11, Ephesians 6:12, Ezekiel 28:12-13, Revelation 21:5-6, 2 Corinthians 4:16, Psalm 51:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Mephibosheth-Surprised By Grace Series

Contributed by Peter Amerman on Jun 3, 2005

Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, had every reason to expect that the wrath and judgment of King David would fall upon him. He was the grandson of King Saul, and the nephew of Ishbosheth, both David’s enemies. Instead, he received grace from the king- he

Mephibosheth- Surprised by Grace 1 John 3:1- “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” Continuing our series on Unknown Faces from the Bible, remember that there are unknown characters in the Bible whose names and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Miraculous Transformation

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 11, 2004

What has caused the birth of the church of Jesus Christ is truly a miracle that takes place in the life and heart of every believer. Let’s not focus on the physical things which divide, but on the spiritual realities that unite us.

Passage: Ephesians 2:11-13 Intro: There is no book in the world that challenges us like the Word of God 1. no body of truth is so radical, so upsetting to “the way it’s always been”. 2. every time we read it, it challenges our thinking, what we have come to believe. 3. for the next four weeks, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Who Are Our Strangers? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 13, 2004

Many things conspire to keep people separate, even in the church. Only God can connect us, and it is the cross that binds us. Are we living out that reality, or have we let separations disconnect us?

When he says it, it feels both enraging and endearing. When he pronounces it, it sounds like irritation, but it also sounds like invitation. It is both attracting and detracting, both including and excluding. I am referring to those moments in the old TV show, when Felix Unger, the neat freak half ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

7 Keys To Spiritual Security

Contributed by James May on Jan 12, 2005

Jesus’ own brother, Jude, was convinced of the reality of Jesus being the Son of God and he contended for the faith. He also shows us how to contend for the faith and obtain spiritual security for our own souls.

7 Keys to Spiritual Security By Pastor Jim May Jude 1:20-25, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:20-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible