Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

"roadblocks To Vision" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 23, 2024

So, I told you last week that when God gives you vision to do something in the future and you then share it with a group of people, you can expect at least two things. (1) Discussion. (2) Criticism.

“Roadblocks to Vision” Nehemiah 4 So, I told you last week that when God gives you vision to do something in the future and you then share it with a group of people, you can expect at least two things. (1) Discussion. (2) Criticism. People will ask you questions because they want to hear more – ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32, Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Barren Fig Tree Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on May 2, 2018

Jesus approached a fig tree expecting to find fruit, but it only had leaves. While it looked promising from a distance, looks were deceiving. Are we bearing fruit or just showing pretty leaves and blooms?

The Barren Fig Tree Mark 11: 12-14; 20-21 Our text today follows Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He had begun what most consider the Passion Week, the final days leading up to His crucifixion on Calvary’s hill. Most agree these events would have taken place on Monday morning of that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Guard Your Heart [steve Irwin - Crocodile Hunter]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 6, 2006

Steve Irwin--Crocodile Hunter: If ever we expected him to have a great injury we would think it would be his leg, his hand, or maybe his head…but no, it was his heart. Link included to formatted text and PowerPoint Template.

Guard Your Heart Proverbs 4:23-5:2 We were all shocked to hear about the tragic death of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. We were stunned, not that he died, for he faced tremendous dangers on a daily basis…we were, rather, surprised by the way that he died. About the only way that a Stingray ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And… Rest In His Unfailing Love - Psalm 94:18–19 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 23, 2025

God’s unfailing love catches us. And this love is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who came to save us from the ultimate fall: eternal separation from God.

Go! And… Rest in His Unfailing Love - Psalm 94:18–19 Introduction: When the Ground Shakes Beneath Your Feet Have you ever felt like life was falling apart beneath you? Maybe it was a medical diagnosis you never expected. Maybe it was a job loss that shook your confidence. Or perhaps the ache of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 94:18-19, Romans 3:23, Lamentations 3:22-23, Romans 6:23, John 14:16-17, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Romans 10:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Science Of Doubting

Contributed by Anoop Samuel on Jan 9, 2008

We seem to live in a society that is more confused than ever. Pick any discussion. You would have many arguments and counter arguments (Example: Intelligent Design vs. Evolution). The result is that people take the stance of “whatever”. What is the reason

Introduction We seem to live in a society that is more confused than ever. Pick any discussion. You would have many arguments and counter arguments (Example: Intelligent Design vs. Evolution). The result is that people take the stance of “whatever”. What is the reason for this situation? The ...read more

Scripture: John 1:39-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Pride And Promiscuity

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jun 12, 2016

Jesus contrasts a prideful Pharisee and a formerly promiscuous sinner desperate for grace. One is changed forever and one is unchanged. The difference: pride vs. humility. We all are in need of a Savior. Sadly, some don't realize it until it is too late.

Luke 7:36-50 Pride and Promiscuity The sermon title for today’s story is in honor of my wife, who first introduced me to Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” a classic tale of two strong-willed and misunderstood personalities coming together in romantic love. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Water For Drowning, Water For Thirst

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Dec 4, 2010

After Christmas it is easy to feel overwhelmed with the return to reality, responsibility, and even depressing weather. The psalmist also felt overwhelmed until he remembered what God had done in and for him and that God was still present, even when unfe

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC January 6, 1985 Well, Christmas is over, isn't it? Christmas is over and done with, except for a few remaining lights and poinsettias … over, done with, finished. It was great while it lasted, but Christmas is over. How do you know that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Ascension

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 9, 2012

Jesus knew and suffered due to the reality of sin in the human heart. But when He physically left the earth, His message was not a pessimistic one. Summarizing who he was and what difference this should make for everyone is stated in what is known as the

Avid readers often will credit this or that writer for luring them into a lifelong love of a genre. For those who love science fiction, it offeres grand, cosmic landscapes on which to project the boundless possibilities of life. Yet for one writer, Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012), who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Other

First Things First

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 18, 2009

Half our miseries are caused by fancying things that we think are coming upon us: half the things that we expect to come upon us never come at all. Where is our faith? “Do not be worried about tomorrow” that is the commandment of Christ, and it is the way

Opening illustration: A seminar leader wanted to make an important point, so he took a wide mouth jar and filled it with rocks. “Is the jar full?” he asked. “Yes,” came a reply. “Oh, really?” he said. Then poured smaller pebbles into the jar to fill the spaces between the rocks. “Is it full now?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Counting The Cost (Part 2)

Contributed by David Derry on Jan 20, 2003

God does not expect His followers to be perfect. Otherwise He would not have chosen the 12 disciples that He did. They were not perfect, but they were willing to follow, and learn. Are we willing to follow Christ completely?

Counting the Cost – Part 2 January 19, 2003 Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews: Problem: Left inside main tire almost needs replaced. Solution: Almost replaced left inside main tire. Problem: Something loose in ...read more

Scripture: John 6:66-69, Acts 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

Clergy In Conflict

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2019

Honouring the Son of God who appoints to holy service may well bring the servant of God into conflict with those who are seeking an easy religion. The one who will serve God, must maintain perspective and remain focused on pleasing Him who appoints to His service.

“Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, ‘“Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Events (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2021

Pivotal events can happen unexpectedly in our lives. If we are able to accept that fact and (at the same time) trust God with the changes that accompany those events, we will manage life better. This message explores unexpected events in Moses's life.

Today I want to talk about two unexpected events in Moses’s life. One was a glorious encounter with God that set him on the course for the last 40 years of his life. The other was a painful experience that equipped him to fulfill the mission given to him in the first encounter. In both cases the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-20, Psalm 23:1-6, John 15:1-5, Luke 12:15-21, 2 Peter 3:11, Hebrews 9:27, Isaiah 43:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 37:1-23, Proverbs 19:21, James 4:7-17, Romans 8:29, Exodus 3:1-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Covenant Concerns Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 13, 2024

God is thoroughly and completely committed to you, so commit yourself to Him, commit yourself to justice, and commit yourself to compassion.

Several years ago, a national magazine assigned a photographer to take pictures of a forest fire. They told him a small plane would be waiting at the airport to fly him over the fire. The photographer arrived at the airstrip just an hour before sundown. Sure enough, a small Cessna airplane stood ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:20-33, Exodus 24:3-8, Romans 12:1, Ephesians 1:3, Exodus 21:22-25, Exodus 23:24-25, Exodus 22:21-27, Luke 14:13, James 1:27, James 2:5, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Stairway To Heaven Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Mar 4, 2001

The beatitudes can be understood sequentially .. as stairsteps to "perfection" (Matt. 5:48). The first four lift us to fellowship with God; the other four bring us back down to the reality of ministry with needy people. This sermon was delivered using a ladder as a "prop".

When Stanley Kubrick made the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”, he guessed that by this time we would be flitting back and forth in outer space, visiting other planets and seeing things never before seen by human beings. The movie suggested that those who would be alive in the year 2001 would go on ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Praying In Frustration

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 11, 2010

Like Samuel, we are often frustrated in our intentions. But turning to prayer, as he did, will help us remove the blame from ourselves, will help us understand the motives of others, and will help us accept reality and move on toward something better.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC September 14, 1986 Some weeks ago I told you that one of my principal projects in starting my service as your pastor would have to be spending time trying to learn my way around the city of Takoma Park. DC I can handle and Silver Spring is a breeze, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:1-22

Denomination: Baptist