Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Destructive Critics

Contributed by Ervin Kimrey on Jan 18, 2010

Recognize that when you step out on faith, follow God, and try to make a difference, you will be criticized. Expect it and deal with it through prayer, keeping the proper perspective, and being persistent.

DISTRUCTIVE CRITICS Nehemiah 4:1-23 Introduction: In a Charlie Brown comic, Linus is seated with a troubled look on his face, his security blanket over his shoulder, his thumb in his mouth. Turning to Lucy, he asks, “Why are you always so anxious to criticize me?” Her response: “I just think I ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Plans For You Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 6, 2010

Looking forward to the coming year knowing that God has promised He has a perfect plan for each one of us. It may not be the plan we expect but it will always be the best plan.

Well we have reached the final Sunday of 2009, for some 2009 has been a time of great blessing, for others a time of trial. For some 2009 has been a time of joy, for others a time of sadness. We have rejoiced in baptism, rejoiced as people have started worshiping with us or joined the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

Look Like Light, Taste Like Salt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 6, 2017

In explaining life following Jesus (discipleship), Jesus uses two elements from everyday life to explain His expectations and the results of being a disciple. The first is salt. The second is light.

Look like Light, Taste Like Salt MATTHEW 5:13-16 #discipleship READ MATTHEW 5:13-16 [congregation reads along aloud] "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Look Like Light, Taste Like Salt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 20, 2017

In explaining life following Jesus (discipleship), Jesus uses two elements from everyday life to explain His expectations and the results of being a disciple. The first is salt. The second is light.

Look like Light, Taste Like Salt MATTHEW 5:13-16 #discipleship READ MATTHEW 5:13-16 [congregation reads along aloud] "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Is Able

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Nov 15, 2016

God is able to exceed your expectation, He is able to do exceedingly above all you can ask or imagine. God is able to do the humanly impossible in our lives

GOD IS ABLE Study Text: Ephesians 3: 14 - 21 Introduction: - The word “Able” refers to the power one has by virtue of inherent ability and resources. - “Able” describes that which has sufficient or necessary power, means, skill, or resources to accomplish an ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go Thy Way, Daniel: When Your Questions Aren’t Answered Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 1, 2020

Daniel was known for his wisdom and abilities to make things known. But when he asked a certain question of the Lord, he didn't get the answer he was expecting!

Introduction The Book of Daniel is a favorite book for many people. The story of how he stood for God in a pagan land is familiar to most believers. Some of my relatives used to read from “The Bible Story” collection stories about Daniel and his friends, many times over. I’ve never forgotten those ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

After Easter: On The Road To Emmaus Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Apr 8, 2021

A pair of discouraged disciples left Jerusalem for their home in Emmaus. While going there, they met a Stranger Who walked with them and gave them something they weren't expecting!

Introduction: On Resurrection Day, the first day of the week, the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Mary Magdalene had seen and spoken with the Lord, and had shared this news with the other believers (John 20). As the day went on, a pair of disciples decided they would go back to their home at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Good News In An Unexpected Place Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 17, 2021

In this message, we will see how the birth announcement of the King of Kings wasn’t delivered to the rich or royal, but it was instead delivered in the least expected place. It was delivered to some lowly shepherds.

When people send out baby shower invitations, they primarily mail them to family and friends. I once saw a really funny movie, a comedy, where a couple sent out fake shower announcements when they weren’t really going to have a baby. They were in debt and needed some money to pay off their bills, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Weary Of Waiting On The Lord?

Contributed by Bruce Hadley on May 13, 2021

Have you ever asked or trusted the Lord for something; and you fully expected He would give it to you. But instead, what response you receive from the Lord is to be patient?

Have you ever asked or trusted the Lord for something; and you fully expected He would give it to you. But instead, what response you receive from the Lord is to be patient? Truth is, you don’t want to patient for the Lord to bless or deliver you, or at least not patient for long duration of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-9, Jeremiah 1:11-12, Habakkuk 2:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Are We Waiting For?

Contributed by Ian Bullock on May 18, 2021

Are we waiting in eager expectation for the gift of the Spirit? A heavy re-work of a much earlier sermon from many years ago, which is looking to provoke a change in peoples perspectives.

In the Name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. Very, very occasionally I will head off somewhere on a train, and as I look around the platform, it doesn’t take too long to see that there is a difference between how adults and children wait for its arrival. As you stand ...read more

Scripture: John 15:26-27, John 16:4-15, Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: Anglican

Invitation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 4, 2020

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14.

What is our response to God’s invitation? What does God expect us to wear? Let’s look at the Parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Matthew 22:1-2 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Administration And Spirituality Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 12, 2020

The newly accepted believers made a complaint in the early Church, and they expected Apostles would visit them and care for them. There was a cultural clash based on ethnicity, and language, and background of their previous identity.

Acts 6:1-7 Administration and Spirituality 6:1 Complaints of Believers 6:2-4 Concentrations of Apostles 6:5-6 Contributions of Deacons 6:7 Contours of the Church Acts 6:1 Complaints of Believers The newly accepted believers made a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Abraham- No Child, No Problem--Or So They Thought Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 13, 2021

The LORD had promised Abram and Sarai a child. After ten additional years, and no child, they decided to help God out. The results weren't exactly what they expected.

Introduction: Genesis 15 has the story where Abram asked God a question after God had told him, “I am your shield and your exceedingly great reward (Gen. 15:1, paraphrased). Abram’s question was “What will You give me? I’m childless, and the only heir I have is Eliezer of Damascus (Gen 15:2, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Interracial Marriage Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

Only the believer can see race from within the kingdom of God, and through the mind of Christ. We cannot expect that non-Christians will share this view. It is an exclusive Christian view.

A boy in Harvard College, many years back, got his father in Maine to come to Cambridge and see the football game between Yale and Harvard. As they sat down, the boy slapped his father on the back and said, "Dad, for three dollars you are going to see more fight than you ever ...read more

Praying Through A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2021

The church ought to pray with great expectation because (1) God sees our trials, (2) God hears our prayers (3) and God will take care of our enemies.

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” The graphic scene of Acts 12 is not strange to the Church. The church has always faced opposition. Since its inception, the devil has been trying to stop the church and even to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-25, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36, Mark 11:17

Denomination: Methodist