Sermons on Expectations:

Why Believe

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 22, 2010

I used this sermon for our Friend Day, when we expected to have many visitors. I want to express my appreciation to Alan Smith a Sermon Central contributor. I relied heavily on his sermon "Faith That Doesn’t Have to Touch."

Introduction: A. Don’t you just love the innocence of children? 1. Art Linkletter had a popular TV show for more than 20 years. One favorite feature of his show was a segment called “Kids Say the Darndest Things” in which he interviewed children. 2. Children often say the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

That Others Might Hear

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jan 4, 2011

God tells Israel as He works within them He expects them to conduct themselves in such a way that others will hear that God is with them. I believe what God told Israel is wise advice to us. If we follow these words we'll be a source of blessing.

That Others Might Hear Zechariah 8:15-23 Introduction: Do we want to be blessed by God and to be used by God to be a blessing to others? I believe that God wants to do good to us, to use us and prosper this church. However, I believe that for us to receive the fullness of His blessings and to have ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Gifts Of Giving, Leading & Mercy Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 24, 2012

Each believer has been gifted for service in Christ's earthly body the Church. God has gifted you & expects you to use your gift as a good steward. Though the gifts are diverse each of them & each of us is needed to bring a lost world to Christ.

ROMANS 12: 8b THE GIFTS OF GIVING, LEADING & MERCY A biting wind was blowing as Bill walked home late in the day. Then suddenly he heard them-SCREAMS IN THE DISTANCE, desperate yells, life-threatening cries. With instantaneous reaction he ran faster and faster to the side lake, dove in, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:8

Denomination: Baptist

Lay Down The Shovel --- Do-Nothing-Ism Is A Cancer

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 27, 2015

It is insane to think you can keep doing the things the same old way and expect a different outcome. Lay down your shovel, quit digging, this hole could become your grave. You are a product of your daily choices. Do not blame, CORRECT the problem.

LAY DOWN YOUR SHOVEL, QUIT DIGGING YOUR OWN GRAVE? DO-NOTHING-ISM IS A CANCER --- By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I. BLESSING OR CURSE IS ALL ABOUT CHOICES --- DAILY MENIAL CHOICES ... WE BECOME THE SUM TOTAL OF OUR DAILY CHOICES... A. We choose moods, moods become habits, habits ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:24-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Unavoidable Consequences When Following Christ Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Oct 10, 2014

AS WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES IN THE BOOK OF PHILIPPIANS, WE APPROACH THE END OF CHAPTER 1, AND IT IS HERE, THAT PAUL REVEALS TO US THAT THERE IS AN INEVITABLE PROCESS FOR FOLLOWING CHRIST. THOSE WHO SEEK TO SERVE THE LORD WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART CANNOT AVOID IT, AND ARE EXPECTED TO THRIVE THROUGH IT.

THE UNAVOIDABLE CONSEQUENCES WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST PHILIPPIANS 1:28-30 IN NO WAY ALARMED BY YOUR OPPONENTS—WHICH IS A SIGN OF DESTRUCTION FOR THEM, BUT OF SALVATION FOR YOU, AND THAT TOO, FROM GOD. 29 FOR TO YOU IT HAS BEEN GRANTED FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM, BUT ALSO TO ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Solitude And Prayer Help Us To Do God’s Work

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 7, 2015

We need to be motivated by what God calls us to do and not by what other people expect us to do. We have to do God’s will even if it doesn’t please people. God’s message is not in sync with the rest of the world.

A Baptist minister and his wife decided to get a new dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally they found a kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted. The owner ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:29-39

Denomination: Anglican

The Truth That Will Set Us Free

Contributed by Craig Condon on Feb 9, 2015

If we look for it and listen for it, when we least expect it, a voice will say, “You are loved, you are affirmed, you are set free”. If we accept it, embrace it, trust in it, and let it penetrate every fibre of our being,

A preacher, who was newly called to a small country town, needed to mail a letter. Passing a young boy on the street, the pastor asked where he could find the post office. After getting his answer, the minister thanked the boy and said, “If you’ll come to my church this evening, you ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Fire! Fire! Fire!

Contributed by Craig Condon on Mar 13, 2015

God wants for us the fullest, richest and deepest life we can have because he loves us. In return, he expects us to do Christ's work in this place, and in our own generation. In his name and by his power, we are to confront the world of evil.

Three men died and were waiting to receive entrance through the Pearly Gates. The first man said to St. Peter, "I was a preacher of the gospel, serving faithfully for over 50 years". Peter told him to step aside for further consideration. The second man said, "I was also a preacher of the gospel; I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Anglican

What Are You Building? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Mar 24, 2014

Upon the foundation of Christ that we all receive when we are saved, God expects us to build up our faith and mature spiritually! However, HOW we do this is important... we must use the right building materials and do things the right way!

Sermon Brief Date Written: March 20, 2014 Date Preached: March 23, 2014 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: A Series From 1 Corinthians Sermon Title: What Are You Building? (on the foundation of Christ) Sermon Text: 1 Cor 3:10-17 [ESV] Introduction: We have learned ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Dare To Believe...

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Dec 29, 2015

No matter what your need is... there's no length that God is not willing to go to...to not only meet, but exceed far beyond your wildest expectations if you are willing to dare to believe He can do what He says He can do....

Dare to Believe Illus. By John Raulerson A guy sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog for Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a black mutt just sitting there. "You talk?" he asks. "Yep," the mutt replies. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sunday After Christmas Sermon Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2015

How did Christmas 2014 feel to you? Maybe your Christmas wasn’t all you expected. Now that Christmas is over, maybe the excitement has passed and life is already returning to some kind of normal. Whatever normal might be in your life!

The Sunday after Christmas sermon How was your Christmas? Yesterday I went to buy some petrol and as I was queuing up to pay I heard another driver ask the cashier: “How was your Christmas?” Her response was “I am SO HAPPY that Christmas is over!” - I find that a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

Do You Want To Get Well?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 16, 2015

Jesus didn't always do things the way people expected Him to, including healing. Sometimes Jesus' healing was painful because it required people to face truth about themselves that people just don't like to face.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK As we look at our world today, we realize that many people carry incredible burdens. Hearts are broken from disappointments & betrayal. Stress, loneliness, & anxiety are rampant. Addiction to alcohol & drugs is at an all time ...read more

Scripture: John 5:2-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rich Young Ruler - Law Of God

Contributed by Samuel Young on Dec 14, 2014

The path to discipleship starts from the Law, then giving up all that you have to follow Jesus. How does the ten commandments teach us this concept? Jesus challenged the Rich Young Ruler to take his keeping the law one step beyond he expected.

The Fawn A couple weeks ago, we went to Yellowstone Park. While we were there, we saw a bear, some bisons, deer, elks, ground hogs, and many other smaller animals. Today I want to tell you a story about a family of deer. Let us pretend that this is the family of deer. Two young fawns and their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-20

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Our Agenda Vs God's Agenda

Contributed by Revd Dr Ruwan Palapathwala on Dec 29, 2024

Jesus has a vision for his ministry and the people have another, a different vision. The people’s own expectations have deafened them to the fulfillment of the scriptures. They are so caught up in their own agenda they cannot hear, let alone participate in, God’s agenda.

“What’s your plan for the day?” It’s a question I often ask my wife; usually on the weekend. But sometimes in the evenings after work I’ll say, “What’s your plan for this evening?” What’s your plan for the weekend? They seem like innocent enough questions and often they are. I’m really interested ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Living A Questionable Life - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Jan 22, 2024

When people look at me, do they see what they expect, or someone that is "odd?" When I am so close to Jesus that my life reflects his actions and attitudes it causes people to ask, "Why are you like this?"

Living Questionable Lives – Pt 1 (Acts 16:29-34) Intro: A. I grew up with some great tools like the Jule Miller filmstrips, Open Bible Study, and teachings about Friendship Evangelism. All them had a great place in the ministry of reconciliation, but they didn’t all work for me. Maybe it was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ