Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

The Passion Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we look at the wise men. There is one thing which sets this God encounter apart from the others in the Nativity story. Mary, the shepherds and Joseph weren’t expecting or looking for anything special to happen in their lives. The Magi weren’t eithe

The Passion of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Jeff Vanderhoof writes, Earlier this month I was privileged to fly to England with the incoming class of ordinands, the Bishop, and others from our Conference. It was an outstanding experience, one that I will treasure for years to come. Part of me expected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Stay Awake

Contributed by William Baeta on Dec 3, 2004

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” Matt. 24:42, 44.

Theme: Stay Awake Text: Is. 2:1-5; Rom. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:37-44 Today is ‘Senior Citizens Day’ and here at Covenant everyone above seventy is a senior citizen. We congratulate you all on reaching this important milestone and join you to thank the Lord for His many blessings. Today is also the 1st ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:37-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

“let My Children Go, For It Is The Year Of Jubilee”

Contributed by John Teem Jr. on Jun 18, 2013

God expects us as parents to first make Christian disciples of the Children he has given us, instead we have sold them into slavery so that we can chase the American Dream. God is calling us out. This is the year of Jubilee.

“LET MY CHILDREN GO, FOR IT IS THE YEAR OF JUBILEE” EXODUS 3:1-10 & LEVITICUS 25:8-18 JOHN TEEM JR. JUNE 18, 2013 CHAPEL OF REDEMPTION LEXINGTON SC INTRODUCTION: Discipleship Defined: Embracing and Assisting in Spreading the Teachings of another. Actively Adhering to Such Teachings ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: *other

God's Shield

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jul 6, 2013

God’s perspective on matters and not the way man looks at things, we can then expect wonderful things to manifest in our lives. There are special rewards for those who seek God’s view rather than the view man takes.

God’s shield Man’s ways are not God’s ways The Bible teaches us that man’s ways seem right, but they actually lead to failure and disappointment. However, God’s ways lead us to success and blessings. God’s ways and man’s ways are poles apart. If we as ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1

Denomination: Charismatic

An Introduction To Romans

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Aug 22, 2013

When you open the Bible, do you expect God to speak to you personally? If you truly believe that the Bible is God's word then you should. You see, because God loves His people, He communicates His truth to them.

Romans An Introduction to Romans Romans 1:7a (Romans 1:7a) It is probably safe to say that there is no consensus in our society concerning God. Ideas concerning God are probably as numerous today as in any time in history. Various theories about God have always been in vogue. There is the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Withering Away

Contributed by James May on Aug 7, 2011

While some people may appear beautiful, like the fig tree, there are little or no fruits of righteousness in their lives. Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered away. Can we expect any less of we don't serve the Lord. On the other hand, there is not

Withering Away By Pastor James May The time for Jesus to pay the price for the sin of man was fast approaching. He had entered the City Gates of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey and was met by cheering crowds and the waving of palm branches. He received the welcome of a conquering king; someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God’s Grace Toward People You Can’t Stand

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 18, 2013

We want God's grace given to us but we're not as happy when God's grace is extended to the person who hurt us. This message looks at Jonah's anger and what God expects of us toward those who've hurt us.

WHAT GOD BELIEVES: We want God’s actions to line up with our pre-existing beliefs. - We want God to work within the confines of our pre-existing beliefs and values. We don’t want to have to go through the hard work of changing what we think and believe. - We want to love God and be a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Cleanses The Temple

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Mar 3, 2018

Why does Jesus cleanse the Temple rather than deal with the Roman occuppying force. In short, because the Priests were not living up to the standards God expected from them. The Temple's uses were being abused. God requires higher standards.

TSJ 04-03-2018 John 2: 13-25: Jesus clears the Temple This morning's Gospel reading blows a hole in our comfortable view of Jesus being "Gentle Jesus meek and mild.". He was anything else but meek and mild This morning we see Jesus clearing the money changers out of the Temple. We read in ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Profitable For The Ministry

Contributed by John Gaston on Aug 5, 2018

All God’s servants are entrusted with gifts and talents by God. God expects us to produce a spiritual profit. At His return He will reward those who increase His investment and punish those who fail to. John Mark was profitable.

PROFITABLE FOR THE MINISTRY 2 Tim. 4:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR (Pastor’s humor about inconsistent members) 1. In Minnesota three pastors got together. They discovered that all three of their churches had infestations of bats. They decided to compare notes of how they had dealt with the problem. ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Plateau? Accepting The Little?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 9, 2015

I use a rubber band to illustrate how faith must stretch us... Will we keep doing things the same old way and expect a different outcome. Lot settled for less than what God had planned. Faith reaches beyond...

PLATEAU? CHOOSING TO LIVE IN ZOAR, THE PLACE OF LITTLE... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Thanks Garry Brackett for the trail to this lesson... I USE RUBBER BANDS FOR THIS LESSON... The real value of a rubber band is when you STRETCH IT. Discuss how a rubber band must feel when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Since We Have This Ministry Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Feb 13, 2012

Did you know that you have a ministry calling? Paul is not writing to a group of pastors but to a church. Do you know what your ministry calling is as a member of the Body of Christ? Do you know what to expect as you go out to minister?

4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, Bernard L. Brown, Jr., president of the Kennestone Regional Health Care System in the state of Georgia once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient’s bed. The patient was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Hardening Of The Hearteries

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2010

October 1986: We are like Pharaoh; we become stubborn when our plans do not go as we expected, and we attempt to force our way. But the difference between being merely good and being great is to be radically obedient to God's will.

The physicists used to speak of the hypothetical question: what happens when an irresistible force meets an immoveable object? What happens when a force defined as beyond the capacity of anything to resist it comes into collision with an object so firmly fixed, so deeply rooted, that it can, by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hold Him Up

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Feb 7, 2015

Like Moses, your pastor cannot and is not expected by God to do the work by himself. Like Moses pastors need others who will hold his arms high that they may be steadied and that he may be able to lead as God would have him do.

Hold Him Up Exodus 17:8-13 Under the leadership of Moses, God delivered Israel from Egypt and was led into the wilderness in route to the Promised Land. In their journeying, Israel came to Rephidim. There at Rephidim, the Amalekites, nomadic descendants of Esau, began to conduct assaults against ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Find Comfort In Grief: Seeking God’s Peace, Not The Voices Of The Past Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 20, 2025

Grief is a journey we all experience at some point in life. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or sudden, leaves a void that words cannot easily fill. In our sorrow, we long for comfort, for answers, and for peace. But where do we turn?

Go! And Find Comfort in Grief: Seeking God’s Peace, Not the Voices of the Past Introduction Grief is a journey we all experience at some point in life. The loss of a loved one, whether expected or sudden, leaves a void that words cannot easily fill. In our sorrow, we long for comfort, for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, John 11:25-26, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13, Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Psalm 73:25-26, John 14:26, Job 23:10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Revelation 21:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A New Phase Of Life-1(:14-16)(2024)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 28, 2024

1 of ? Joshua recognized a major benchmark in Israel’s progress toward inheriting the Promised Land. Graduates have reached a benchmark in their societal expectations toward opening up their future. But, How do we enter/begin a new phase of life?

A NEW PHASE Of LIFE-I—Joshua 24:14-28 Attention: Graduates of High School, & College. Need: If your work continues without serving God, then you’ve chosen your god, & your god is YOU! Every grade-school graduate has reached a benchmark in their societal expectations. They have exited ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-16, Joshua 24:14-28

Denomination: Baptist