Sermons on High Expectations:

What Does God Expect Of His Pastors?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 26, 2012

A look at God's complaints about Israel's shepherds and what that means for pastors today.

OUTLINE: The Pastor Is God’s Representative, Right? There are a lot of Biblical references where God is displeased with pastors. - Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:1-31; Matthew 23:1-39. What A Good Shepherd Looks Like: 1. The focus is on the sheep, not the pastor. - Ezekiel ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Seek And You Will Find…great Expectations

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 25, 2015

Jesus is the new covenant that God promised to his people in Jeremiah 31:31-34. In Jesus, God united us to him with bonds that can never be broken, and through this new covenant, we and Jesus can look death in the eye and see victory.

Today’s Gospel passage marks the beginning of a change in Jesus’ ministry. The coming of the Greeks is seen as anticipating the coming of the Gentiles into the community of believers. While it is true that before the events in our Gospel reading Jesus spoke to the woman at the well and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-33

Denomination: Anglican

What We Could Expect From God

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Aug 17, 2018

Even if terrifying trial would happen to us, as Christians, there are good things that we could expect from our Good God!

“Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Expectant Faith: Embracing The Miracles In Our Lives Series

Contributed by Dr Fr John Singarayar Svd on Jul 11, 2024

We reflect on the deeper truths about our own spiritual journeys and the nature of divine intervention in our lives through the stories of Philip and Andrew.

Expectant Faith: Embracing the Miracles in Our Lives Intro: We reflect on the deeper truths about our own spiritual journeys and the nature of divine intervention in our lives through the stories of Philip and Andrew. Scripture John 6:1-15. Reflection Dear Sisters and Brothers, In the ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Other

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. Whether it was the religious leaders of the day, the multitudes, or even His own disciples, Jesus was always more than people anticipated.

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 2) Defying Expectations Introduction Today, I want to take you on a journey to explore a profound and often surprising aspect of our Saviour—what I like to call "The Unexpected Jesus." Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently defied expectations. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-22, Matthew 28:18, Mark 1:40-42, Luke 7:13, Isaiah 53:3-5, Philippians 2:6-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformation Happens When We Least Expect It PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

God's grace is unconditional, forgiveness is transformative, and we are all called to seek Jesus.

Good morning, family. Today we're going to dive into a familiar story from the Gospel of Luke, but I want you to approach it with fresh eyes and an open heart. This story reminds us of three important truths: God's grace is unconditional, forgiveness is transformative, and we are all called to seek ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Grace, Forgiveness

Bring Me Another Vessel

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 24, 2024

God's oil was overflowing, but her expectations or limitations stopped the flow of oil. She did not prepare for a great miracle by gathering many vessels. She prepared by gathering vessels based on her expectation (or limitation) just expecting a (small) miracle.

So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:2-7

Jesus High Priestly Prayer (Part 1a) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Nov 2, 2013

A sermon examining the greatest prayer recorded in the Bible.

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER (Part 1a: Jesus’ Prayer For Himself) John 17:1-5 It is the eve of the Crucifixion; Jesus and His Disciples have spent some time in the Upper Room celebrating the Passover Feast. Following the meal Jesus spent the next few hours giving some final instructions to His ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Reason #5: We've Got High Hopes! Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Nov 17, 2002

At Creation all nature conformed to God’s purpose and fulfilled His intention, and so He declared all He had made “very good”. One day God will declare the world “good” again. And all creation will praise God’s goodness.

Sermon Series> Romans 8, Reasons to be ENCOURAGED Reason #5: We’ve got High Hopes! 8:19-25 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts “What a crazy, rotten, mixed up world we live in!” Have you ever heard these words—or said them? I think we’ve all expressed ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:19-25

Denomination: Congregational

There Will Be Glory After This! Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Mar 7, 2024

There is a glorious future up ahead. No Matter what it looks like, something new and glorious is on the way! The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory.

Sermon: There Will Be Glory After This! Scripture Text: Haggai 2:1-9 Haggai 2:1-5 “Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-5, Acts 17:24-28, Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Methodist

Why Prayer Works Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Nov 1, 2023

Jesus is our Great High Priest. Without Him in this role, prayer would be empty words and hopeless. Yet, as High Priest Jesus makes intercession for us. Our praying is powerful because our High Priest Jesus actively works through our petition. What does Jesus do?

When I was serving as a Pastor in Indiana, we lived near a college and monastery named, “St. Mary of the Woods.” At the monastery there was a place for elderly folks for elderly folks to live from the area so often I went to there often to visit. To be granted entrance to visit my members of our ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

His Name Is ….the Great High Priest Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 2, 2011

Jesus our Great High Priest. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Three Questions: Question one: Who is this Great high priest? Question Two: What does this high priest have to offer? Question Three: Why does He qualify? SERMON BODY: Ill: • Readers’ Digest Magazine contains the story; • Of an employee who confided in a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Brethren

Every Time The Church Doors Open

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 11, 2010

Preached 1985. What merits our coming to church frequently? We need to come with the expectation that God will meet us in the presence of His people. And then we will respond with prayer for the church, not mere criticism or complaint.

They tell the story about the fellow who on one Sunday morning woke up, struggled out of bed, shuffled downstairs for his breakfast, and then announced to his mother, "Mother, I’m not going. I’m just not going to church today. I don’t feel like it, they don’t care for me down there, I don’t need ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Forged For Unity Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 15, 2019

When we Conform to Christian Standards of Right and Wrong, we develop a personal Character that reflects Jesus to the world.

Last week, we opened the new series called Forged by reviewing our alternative worldview presented by Paul in the statement “we preach Christ crucified” and I would add resurrected, ascended and scheduled to return again to collect his adopted sons and daughters. This week we continue the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The High Cost Of Spiritual Liberty (A Freedom Series). Series

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Jun 29, 2016

These Jewish people made a great decision to believe in Jesus Christ; however, their very words following Jesus’ acknowledgement can be the very thing that halts spiritual growth and commitment. “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslav

The High Cost Of Spiritual Liberty (A Freedom Series). John 8:31-36NASB In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was coming, slaves recognized him ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36

Denomination: Pentecostal