Sermons on Expectation Vs Reality:

Do I Want God To Forgive Me As I Forgive Others? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 20, 2025

Jesus puts forward challenging words in the second half of v. 12 - calling us to ask for forgiveness in the same way we have forgiven others. Verses 14-15 emphasize the expectation from God that we will forgive others as part of having been forgiven by Him. What happens when we live this out?

DOES THIS SCARE ME? Do I want God to forgive me as I forgive others? - Matthew 6:12b, 14-15. - I said last week as we unpacked the first half of v. 12 that we often don’t put a lot of thought into what that actually means. In that case it had to do with making confession of our sins a regular ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Battle Cry Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 22, 2026

Christ clarifies His expectation for the church in five ways, as seen in His examination of: 1) The Church (Revelation 2:1), 2) The Commendation (Revelation 2:2–3, 6), 3) The Concern (Revelation 2:4), 4) The Command (Revelation 2:5), and 5) The Counsel (Revelation 2:7).

Revelation 2:1-7. [2:1]"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [2]"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Other

The Limitations Of Love

Contributed by Danny Anderson on Oct 27, 2006

The reality of our lives in Christ is this: we have been set free! We have been set free from our old way of life. We have been set free from the power of sin. We are no longer in bondage to it. And we have been set free to enjoy life and to enjoy it more

The Limitations of Love Text: I Corinthians 8:1-13 Introduction: The reality of our lives in Christ is this: we have been set free! We have been set free from our old way of life. We have been set free from the power of sin. We are no longer in bondage to it. And we have been set free to enjoy life ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

When Hope Seems Gone Series

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Mar 28, 2010

Despair makes hope seem an empty dream as we snap awake to reality and we begin to believe the lie, “there's no way out.”...Our lesson today is one of “how” and “what”. “How” can I move from a spirit of despair to a life of hope?

DARE TO BELIEVE – “When Hope Seems Gone” Jonah 2:1-10 This picture (person sitting against a wall, very dark room, small light in the window) is, to me, a powerful image of despair. It creates a sense of aloneness where an overwhelming gloom settles into your spirit and there's ...read more

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Season For Seeing Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

God made the message of Christmas a visual message to appeal to the eyes. Christmas from day one has always been a season for seeing. By His coming into the world Jesus changed how men see reality. He changed how man sees God and history, and how he sees the role of man and the goal of God.

Mr. and Mrs. Nudelman were on a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Paris where they visited the Louvre. As they slowly walked past the masterpieces of the ages, Mrs. Nudelman stopped in front of a huge Renaissance painting called, The Child In The Manger. As she stood there, Mr Nudelman asked her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Being Renewed (Graduation Sunday) Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Jun 5, 2021

We think home is a place of renewal. We think we can go home and rest. And we can, but only if our focus is right. Home won’t renew us, won’t build us up, unless the focus of our home is on the One who raises us into a new kingdom, a new reality.

Main: If you’re looking for snapshots of well-adjusted and happy parent-child relationships from the ancient world, the Bible probably shouldn’t be on your short list of sources. Consider even Jesus’ family, for example. The New Testament preserves evidence suggesting that Jesus’ relationship with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:21

Denomination: United Methodist

Take Not Your Anointing From Me!

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 14, 2019

Psalm 51 describes David’s great mental anguish at the reality that he had hurt his relationship with God and might have lost God’s favor. Christians today are too quick to assume they have God in a box. Please Lord, don't take Your Spirit away from me!.

TAKE NOT YOUR ANOINTING FROM ME! Ps. 51:11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Larry Weathers is a math teacher in Benton, Kentucky. One of his math students got his hand caught in a go-cart chain and lost a third of his finger. He missed a few days of class. 2. When he returned, Larry asked if his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

There Are Two Certainties In Life; Taxes And Death. And I'm Not Here To Talk About Taxes

Contributed by Robert Irvine on Aug 16, 2024

Being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer back in March (presently at Stage 3), really changed my outlook. It also brought me face to face with the fact that I am going to die at some point. Death isn’t now some concept that I could ignore, but a reality that I had to face.

Being diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer back in March (presently at Stage 3), really changed my outlook. I started to declare the Good News of Jesus Christ much more seriously. It also brought me face to face with the fact that I am going to die at some point. Death isn’t now ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Denomination: Baptist

Be As One

Contributed by Amanda Wilson on May 2, 2007

Have you ever wondered what God expects Jesus disciples to be? Do you know what Jesus saw as THE purpose of his mission here on earth? Do you know how Jesus planned keep your faith safe? Be as One is a sermon script based on Jesus prayer from John 17 whic

When you were a child, did people ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? And what did you answer? Is what you are now what you planned to be then? And if I asked you what is the primary thing that God wants his children to be what would your answer be? Perhaps loving, good, serving, a ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 2: Jesus Could Do Not Much Miracles In His Own Hometown Except... Why?)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Jesus, the local boy, leaves town and makes it big in the world - and returns with great following. He has shaken the religious establishment, nation & Roman world. You would expect his own to applaud him & see God's work displayed through Him. But no - He does few miracles. Why?

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 2) JESUS COULD DO NOT MUCH MIRACLES IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN EXCEPT... 1. Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

God Left You A Message, Did You Get It?

Contributed by Edwin Amundson on Dec 12, 2003

In a world spooning from the advances of the information age, we send and receive so many different messages with so many different devices. So why is God still sending the same old message, the same old way to me? And why does He expect me to pass it on

"GOD LEFT YOU A MESSAGE... DID YOU GET IT?" LUKE 1:1-5 JOKE--- After directory assistance gave a woman her boyfriend’s new telephone number, she dialed him and got a woman. "Is Robert there?" she asked. "He’s in the shower," the lady responded. "Please tell him his girlfriend called," and she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Show Me The Fruit! Series

Contributed by Mitchell Skelton on Jul 5, 2003

In the story of the cursed fig tree Jesus is teaching his disciples that he expects more from us than just the ordinary. So what if it wasn’t fig season, if you are showing yourself to have fruit then you should have fruit. The Christian life is more tha

The Teachings of Christ “Show Me the Fruit!” # 5 in Series Mark 11:12–14; 20–25 INTRODUCTION One of the biggest movies of 1996 was Jerry Maguire. This movie starred Tom Cruise as Jerry, a high powered sports agent who left his firm to go out on his own, and Cuba Gooding Jr. as Rod Tidwell, a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"A Proper Perspective"

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Oct 31, 2002

We need a “Proper Perspective” about what matters most in life and the Apostle Paul will instruct us today about what God expects. When we know that, when we live like that we can look back on our lives with a sense of real accomplishment!

Southern Hills Baptist Church November 3rd 2002 Philippians 2:3-4 “A proper motivation” By Pastor Mark Hensley 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Sit Down And Be Counted

Contributed by Martin Odom on Dec 25, 2006

Men are always so busy doing things that we seldom stop to allow God to minister in our lives. This sermon encourages men to surrender themselves to Jesus so we may gain more than expected. This is a Men’s Day sermon I preached at my church.

SIT DOWN AND BE COUNTED JOHN 6: 1 -13 The gospel according to St. John is vastly different than all of the other gospels. While the other three are called the synoptic gospels, which simply means that they give a synopsis or summary of Jesus’ life, John is after something different. John ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Check Your Attitude At The Door

Contributed by Jeff Budzinski on Mar 15, 2007

This week I want us to examine our attitude. Our attitude is a key factor to having success in our life. As Christians, we must live with the expectation that God is going to do something good for me today. God wants to bless us; however we must have an

Introduction · Last week we discussed the Holy Spirit in you. The Holy Spirit comes upon us when we give ourselves to Jesus and become a Believer. · We feed the Holy Spirit by spending time in the Word of God, prayer and in fellowship. He is our guide that leads us to complete the will of God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational