Sermons on High Expectations:

Leaning Against Legalism

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 20, 2011

We often measure our success by how closely we stick to a set of expectations - whether on the job, at home, or in our walk with the Lord. We do good, we feel good - we do bad, we feel bad. But measuring success is really much different in a relationship

When you apply for a job you supply your resume—it’s that collection of information that tells why you are qualified for a particular position. Until not too long ago, a very important thing to have when going to a new area was a letter of recommendation. We still use them occasionally. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Thanksgiving: Much Obliged!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 18, 2012

I am convinced that we have been given far more than most of the people of the world, & therefore in God’s sight we are "much obliged." God has given much to us & therefore He expects much from us.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK Please turn to the 12th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Our text for this morning is found in this chapter & we will be looking at several parts of it before we’re finished. I really do love ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-48, Luke 12:47-48, Luke 12:48

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cure Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Sep 27, 2012

Last week we talked about the trap of offence and some of the main problems associated with being offended - false assumptions, our expectations, pride, disobedience, self-preservation, and revenge. Today I want us to look at the cure so we don’t allow o

“Nobody will ever want you for anything but making babies” her drunken father said when he found out that his 15 year daughter was pregnant. I got to counsel this women at age 42, an alcoholic for 15 years, 6 babies with four different men, two of them aborted. Now on welfare with all ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

That You May Know Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Sep 22, 2010

John tells what we can know or expect to know when we know the Lord. 1- When we know Him we will know we have eternal life 2- When we know Him we will know we can ask anything of Him

INTRO.- ILL.- A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he’s falling, he realizes his chute is broken. He doesn’t know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his options are limited; he takes off the parachute and tries to fix it himself ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Does Marvelous Things Without Number Series

Contributed by James Dina on Jul 17, 2020

Wonder reveals God’s ability to do things beyond the powers and expectations of human.Every new baby is a miracle from God--a unique new person who has never lived on the earth before and there will never be another one like him or her.Amazing God

GOD DOES MARVELOUS THINGS WITHOUT NUMBER “Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number” (Job 5:9) The works of God are manifold, and not to be counted; the stars of heaven, the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, and cattle on a thousand hills, the ...read more

Scripture: Job 5:9, Psalm 104:25, Job 9:10, Isaiah 55:7, Psalm 51:1, 1 Chronicles 16:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Grow God's Kingdom

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jul 22, 2015

We, like the disciples, are expected to bear fruit by spreading the seeds of faith-namely, the Good News of salvation-and nurture it as best we can. Then, we have to let God go to work. God will eventually reap the harvest and save those who hear His word

The Gospel reading from Mark 4:21-34 is a series of parables about the kingdom of God. Jesus used parables to explain the kingdom because the kingdom is so vast that our limited human minds can't understand it on our own. Jesus used these parables to explain the kingdom in terms that we, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:21-34

Denomination: Anglican

To Hell And Back

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 6, 2021

When Jesus cries out, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!" He admits he has been forsaken by the one Person we expected to be his supporter to the end. But God cast his vote with the rest and says, guilty.

One of the greatest paradoxes of history is the story of the young English sailor by the name of Noble. His job was to deliver a large cannon from Portsmouth, England to Boston in the Colonies in the mid 1700's. After two days on the ship HMS INTREPID, they encountered heavy weather. Ensign ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

The Internal, External And Eternal Goal Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 22, 2017

You might say we get God’s heart in our hearts. What greater encouragement could there be? And we can expect the infusion of God’s Spirit in our hearts will result in a change in how we behave toward each other. For the fruit of the Spirit is love.

Colossians 2 1I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-3

Denomination: *other

34. The Death Of Ishbosheth Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 17, 2025

Second Samuel chapter 4 is a sobering warning to anyone tempted to “help God along.” It shows us what happens when fear replaces faith, when ambition overrides conscience, and when people wrap sinful actions in religious language and expect God’s blessing in return.

The Death of Ishbosheth December 17, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 2 Samuel 4 When God’s Will Is Used as an Excuse for Sin One of the most dangerous phrases a Christian can utter is this: “God understands why I had to do it this way.” Those words have justified betrayal, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 4:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

Growing In God's Image SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

God created us in His image and commanded us to grow and multiply. Our spiritual growth and fruitfulness are conditions to remain in Christ. We can only grow and be fruitful by staying connected to Him. We are expected to show growth and fruitfulness in every area of our lives to glorify Him.

The purpose of God for us as Christians is to be ambassadors of heaven on Earth, ensuring the realization of the Kingdom of God. God wants us to be fruitful and multiply in all areas of our lives: spiritually, intellectually, physically, maritally, professionally, financially, ministerially, and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27-29

Topics: Spiritual Growth, Fruitfulness In Christ

God's Timing: Perfect And Worth The Wait SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Life often presents us with situations where our desires are not met in our expected time, even after prayers. It's during these times that God is patiently waiting for a reason. Don't give up, but rather, wait for Him. His timing is perfect and always worth the wait.

Introduction: In the story of Lazarus' resurrection found in John 11, we see that Jesus performed a great miracle by raising him from the dead. However, there are deeper lessons to be learned from this story. One important lesson is found in verse 6, where Jesus waits for two days before going to ...read more

Scripture: John 11:6

Topics: Faith, Patience

Unsatisfied Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on Jul 23, 2008

Here we have a wonderful Psalm that communicates to us contentment and some hints at helping to achieve contentment.

Cure for the Discontent Griffith Baptist Church – 7/13/08 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 37 Main Verse: Psalms 37:3-4 - 3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: The Wardrobe's Opportunity Series

Contributed by Mike Parry on Dec 5, 2005

Open the door to life, adventure, and royalty.

Introduction: Today we are concluding our sermon series based on C. S. Lewis’ classic Christian allegory, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” In this story, four British children enter through a wardrobe to a new land called Narnia. In this land, it is always winter, and never Christmas. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Prayer Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Apr 2, 2007

2 of 3 messages on the Last Hours of Jesus. This message is about Jesus Prayer in Gethsemane

The Last Hours April 1, 2007 – Palm Sunday The Last Prayer When God says “No” What do you do when God says no? Some people get mad. Some stomp their feet and rage at the forces of the world. In the movie Forest Gump, Lt. Dan hauls his legless body up the mast on a rope and bosun’s chair in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:35-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

On Board With God

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 14, 2011

A sermon preached at the memorial service for the Honorable Graham B. Purcell, Jr.

First Presbyterian Church Wichita Falls, Texas June 14, 2011 Witness to the Resurrection Graham B. Purcell, Jr. (May 5, 1919 - June 11, 2011) ON BOARD WITH GOD Isaac Butterworth Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV) 1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed