Sermons on Great Expectations:

Grace Versus Works - Saved By The Faith Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Aug 20, 2025

In the Bible, Jesus is often referred to as God's "free gift" (Romans 5:15 NIV). A person is free to reject that gift just as they are free to reject the offer of friendship and love from another.

Works-based Christianity is similar to the principle of Karma, which is the "law of the deed," a centuries-old worldwide belief that if you do good things, good will come back to you, and if you do bad things, bad will come back to you. It is believed that suffering is a result of a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5, Matthew 7:23, Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Soil Of The Heart Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Aug 30, 2025

This sermon from Matthew 13 reminds us that while the Word of God and the Sower never change, the fruitfulness of our lives depends entirely on the condition of our hearts—whether they are hardened, shallow, crowded, or humble and receptive to the transforming truth of Christ.

The Soil of the Heart Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 To hear and truly understand the words of our Creator is no simple task. This is the One who knit us together in our mother’s womb. Who recorded every moment of our lives before one of them came to be. Who holds together the seen and unseen, past, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is The Only Way

Contributed by Gary Holt on Sep 13, 2025

Jesus is the only way to the Father.

“Jesus is the only way” John 14:1-6 A bank in New York had some flowers: ­ sent to a competitor who had recently moved into a new building. ­ There was a mix up at the flower shop, and ­ the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.” The florist, who was ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Long Campaign

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 16, 2025

In God’s time we will see the results of what we have done, even if someone else completes the work, just as Timothy built on Paul’s foundation.

My own graduation from high school and departure to college is so long ago and far away that I can hardly remember it. On the other hand, I graduated from seminary almost 30 years later, and so it’s much closer. There’s a lot the two have in common: leaving behind the old familiar, and going off ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon # 37 - The Father's Love Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Jul 18, 2025

The love that God the Father demonstrated when He sent His only begotten Son Jesus into this world is unfathomable. It’s this love of God that saved us, protects us, provides for our needs, trusts and accepts us in spite of all our faults and failings.

For our meditation today let me highlight this verse from 1 John 3:1, “See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are.” (GNB) Can you imagine the amazing love God the Father has lavished on us, that we have the wonderful ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1, Hebrews 11:7, Romans 8:32, 2 Samuel 13:39, 2 Samuel 15:7-9, Philemon 1:10, Philemon 1:15-16, Philemon 1:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Contributed by Mason Davis on Jul 19, 2025

Kids say the darndest things.

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES There was a baby dedication in church, and five-year-old Emma watched intently as the pastor poured water on the tiny infant’s head and said some important sounding words. Confused by what she saw, Emma leaned over and whispered in her father’s ear, “Daddy, why is Pastor ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13

Throughout All Generations

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 4, 2025

The past “1000 Days” have been exciting.

Throughout All Generations “16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discernment In The Days Of Deception – A Spiritual Warning From Matthew 16:1-12 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 21, 2025

JESUS issues a warning, a spiritual alert to HIS disciples and for us today. A wake-up call to stand firm in sound doctrine, to test all things, and to hold fast to the truth of God's Word.

2025.06.22 Sermon Notes. DISCERNMENT in the DAYS of DECEPTION – A SPIRITUAL WARNING PART 1_ Matthew 16:1-12 WILLIAM AKEHURST, HSWC BIG IDEA: JESUS issues a warning, a spiritual alert to HIS disciples and for us today. A wake-up call to stand firm in sound doctrine, to test all things, and to hold ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-12, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1, 1 John 4:3, Titus 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, Romans 12:2, Romans 10:9, John 14:6, Joshua 1:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In The New Testament

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Jun 24, 2025

You can't put new wine in old wineskins, in so doing the wineskin bursts. Likewise, you cannot fit the Old Testament laws and rules into the New Testament grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Welcome, beloved friends and family of faith, as we gather in this sacred space, a sanctuary of solace and strength, to seek the wisdom of the Word of God. We are here, united in our hunger for understanding, our thirst for truth, and our shared desire to draw closer to our Creator. In the words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:16-17, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Elevate To The Next Level - "Living In The In-Between”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Jul 6, 2025

We’re examining the idea of elevating discipleship to the next level, and how we do this according to God’s purpose. In today’s study we’ll be looking at living our lives in-between, that is, between birth and death, or from inception to its completion.

Elevate to the Next Level “Living in the In-Between” In our time together, we’ve been examining this whole idea of elevating discipleship to the next level, or “Leveling up.” To accomplish this, I want to talk about living our lives according to God’s purpose. And while we’ll be looking at this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:37-38, Isaiah 30:21, Luke 17:14-19

Denomination: Foursquare

How Do We Protect The Unborn?

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 27, 2023

A message I delivered to the Right To Life gathering in Greene County, Indiana.

About 3 years ago I had a FB conversation with a young lady I knew and some of her friends. They’d been upset with a pro-life meme I had on my FB page, and they decided to gang-up on me and show me the error of my ways. Some of their tactics were - they’d say that if I cared about the unborn ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Time Of Darkness

Contributed by Jacob Burdette on Dec 6, 2023

A look at the rising darkness in America.

A Time of Darkness If you have your bible, please open it to Genesis Chapter 6 and when you get there, place a marker, and turn to Matthew Chapter 24. One day a young boy was driving a load of grain to the market. He came around a corner too fast and his trailer load of grain tipped over. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-40, Genesis 6:5-13

Rebuild The Wall - The Story Of Nehemiah

Contributed by Louis Mare on Apr 15, 2024

So, I want to look at Nehemiah and the wall rebuilding. I want to look at a different aspect. I wish to talk about the wall and how it still applies to us today. Let me first give you some context and background for those who do not know the story.

Rebuild the wall – Men's Breakfast April 2024 Well, good morning, men. Some of you are wondering if this was the big announcement. No, it does not come at the end of this message. It is excellent for us at newlife to have over 100 men at our breakfasts. It has been good to see that we men, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:1-2

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Nothing You Can Do To Make God Love You More Or Less

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 25, 2024

Recently I have been hearing quite a few pastors using a quote from Henri Nouwen a Dutch Catholic priest that states, “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and nothing we can do to make God love us less.” Is that true? Let's see what God's Word has to say about it.

Do you have a Bible? I was once told that in a simple Bible with no maps, no apocrypha and no commentary you would find the Psalms in the center of the Bible. So, I thought maybe it would be Psalm 119 since it has 174 verses and is the longest chapter in the Bible. However, in my Bible it turns out ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:13, John 15:13, John 1:29, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Romans 5:8, Isaiah 53:1-6, John 3:16-19, John 16:27, John 14:23, Revelation 3:15-16, Romans 13:10, Luke 15:20, Proverbs 6:16-19, Matthew 11:28, 1 John 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Avoiding False Teachers

Contributed by Kelvin Mckisic on Oct 1, 2024

As we continue in our series on Jesus' letters to the seven churches, we find ourselves looking at the words Jesus has to say to the church in Thyatira, how they have some good things, but they tolerate false teachings in the church.

Good morning, beloved congregation! It's a joy to be here with you, standing on the solid ground of God's truth, ready to open His Word together. We are not here by accident, but by divine appointment. And we are not here to hear the words of a man, but to hear from the God who fashioned ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29, 2 Timothy 4:2-4, John 16:13, Matthew 5:27-28, 2 Timothy 2:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ