Sermons on Expectations For Clergy:

Giving Grace

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Jan 20, 2003

Too many times we expect God’s forgiveness, but find it hard or difficult to forgive others. However, this message reminds us that we must always be willing to forgive.

GIVING GRACE Matthew 18:21-35 INTRODUCTION: A. Tis the season to be jolly 1. Itfs the season of love, joy, and peace on earth, good will toward men a. Itfs also the season of long lines, credit cards, traffic jams, and short fuses b. Many grow depressed or irritable c. While some are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A God Who Restores

Contributed by Rhonda Feurtado on Feb 25, 2005

Our god is a God who restores. Even at those times when we feel all is lost, God is there and he promises to restore us, but it may not be in the ways we expect.

A GOD WHO RESTORES Restoration. What a powerful word. What do you think of when you hear that word (pause). Perhaps you imagine your health or marriage restored. Perhaps you imagine your youth or your family restored. Perhaps you imagine you career that is failing or your self-esteem restored. ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:23-32

Denomination: Methodist

God's 20/20 Foresight

Contributed by William Mouser on Feb 28, 2005

Using the Bible’s foreviews of the careers of John the Baptist and the Prophet Jeremiah, this sermon encourages believers to persevere in the expectation that God has just as clearly foreseen their conformity to the image of Christ.

Third Sunday in Advent Jeremiah 1:4-19, Luke 1:26-45 “God’s 20/20 Foresight” We have all heard the proverb that says, “Hindsight is always 20-20.” I don’t know of another proverb that says anything similarly pithy and witty about foresight. An obvious reason, I suppose, is that foresight ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Tending Your Garden Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 16, 2012

God created man and planted a garden for him in Eden. What lessons can I learn about what God expects of me from what God did for Adam?

Someone once wrote a poem about their garden: "Our radishes are puny things; Our peas and beans are dying; And as for the potatoes, well, those things aren't even trying And that's the way our garden grows - I tell myself, "Who needs it?" But down inside, it hurts to have it bite the hand... ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 26, 2008

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect. ...

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Fate, Failure And Fig Trees (And Why Bad Things Happen To Good People)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 17, 2007

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect.

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Churches Other Calling

Contributed by Dan Stires on Jan 18, 2007

The church is called on to love and care for those who have need. This sermon deals with how God expects us to help others and the blessings we receive from doing so.

The Church’s Other Calling Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37 Introduction: (find a video that will set the stage for this sermon - check out www.nooma.com) Most of us would know and understand that one of the greatest things we can do in our relationship with God is to emulate ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Nazarene

I Don't Belong

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Oct 8, 2006

Christians don’t fit in the world because we are not like the world. Sermon explores our relationship with God, God’s expectations from us, and His promises to us.

I Don’t Belong Have you ever gone someplace where you just didn’t fit in? Do you ever remember being in a group and had the feeling that you didn’t belong? These feelings are prevalent when we move to a new city, or go away on vacation to a foreign country, or try to meet new people in ...read more

Denomination: Orthodox

Builders In Christ Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jan 18, 2006

We are all expected to be involved in this "building" project in God’s Kingdom. We are to invest in that which is spiritual, valuable and that which will last. Consider well how you are building today.

(Some pointers in this sermon taken from ’Studies in First Corinthians’ by M. R. DeHaan, M.D.) Consider how you are building your life today. Charles Spurgeon says, "Ask yourself, Have I written in the snow?" Will the things I do endure the lapse of years and the times of change? There will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

I Think She's Asleep Now

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2009

Christ has interpreted the seventh commandment by the tenth to reflect the purity expected of those who are part of the Kingdom of Heaven. Marriage for a Christian is meant to reflect the relationship of Christ and His people.

“I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”[1] The people of Newburyport, Massachusetts were scandalized in the summer of 2004 when their mayor, Mary Anne Clancy, admitted to an affair with a married gym teacher. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:28

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

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

Psalms As Prayer

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Nov 18, 2006

Psalms as prayer, Simple prayers model the use of the psalms of prayers. Do we offer simple prayers with expectation and desire and pain...The Psalmist shows us that we can.

Psalms As Prayer God is Great, God is Good Let us thank Him for our food. Amen Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should Die before I wake, I pray the Lord my Soul to take. God Bless Mommy, Daddy, Grand ma, Grand Pa, The dog, the cat …..Amen Prayers of children, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-24

Denomination: Congregational

Three Questions To Consider Concerning The Resurrection

Contributed by Shawn Rose on Apr 23, 2011

This sermon addresses three questions concerning the resurrection of Christ: "Why was the resurrection so important?", "How are we expected to respond to the resurrection?", and "What should the church do in light of the resurrection?"

THREE QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION Text: Mark 16:1 – 20 Have you heard the story about the eight-year old in Sunday School on Easter Sunday? Johnny’s family weren’t regular church attenders…as a matter of fact, they only went to church on Easter ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

“believers Multiplication” Series

Contributed by Rev. Reynaldo Bechayda on Aug 18, 2010

We are called to make disciples... we are born to reproduce... Someone took time to develop you become who you are now, you are expected to do the same with other believers.

“BELIEVERS MULTIPLICATION” 2 Timothy 2:1-2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Introduction: The growth of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational