Sermons on Lifestyle Expectations:

The Passion Of The Magi Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2008

Today, we look at the wise men. There is one thing which sets this God encounter apart from the others in the Nativity story. Mary, the shepherds and Joseph weren’t expecting or looking for anything special to happen in their lives. The Magi weren’t eithe

The Passion of the Magi Matthew 2:1-12 Jeff Vanderhoof writes, Earlier this month I was privileged to fly to England with the incoming class of ordinands, the Bishop, and others from our Conference. It was an outstanding experience, one that I will treasure for years to come. Part of me expected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

First Things First

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 18, 2009

Half our miseries are caused by fancying things that we think are coming upon us: half the things that we expect to come upon us never come at all. Where is our faith? “Do not be worried about tomorrow” that is the commandment of Christ, and it is the way

Opening illustration: A seminar leader wanted to make an important point, so he took a wide mouth jar and filled it with rocks. “Is the jar full?” he asked. “Yes,” came a reply. “Oh, really?” he said. Then poured smaller pebbles into the jar to fill the spaces between the rocks. “Is it full now?” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Be A Good Father

Contributed by Ron Callen on Mar 9, 2007

Whether or not you’ve had a good earthly father, all Christians have a heavenly Father that has set the perfect example for us. This message instructs a young man as to what is expected of him. It instructs fathers as to what they should be. It can ins

FATHERS Tonight I’m going to preach to myself. I’m going to invite you to listen. I’m going to talk about fathers. The responsibility of fathers. The responsibility of a child to his or her father. Ladies, you would do well to listen in. Someday, not that far from now you will pick ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:8

Denomination: Baptist

Is America Under God's Judgment?

Contributed by Jerry Falwell on Apr 12, 2002

Did America make a covenant commitment with God? I believe the answer is "Yes." American pioneers made a compact with God. In this covenant, the people agreed to honor God. In return, they expected God to bless them, but I believe America has broken i

IS AMERICA UNDER GOD’S JUDGMENT? BY DR. JERRY FALWELL A. INTRODUCTION 1. The Declaration of Independence is the greatest document (outside the Bible) in the history of mankind. Because it promises the greatest good. Because it has impacted the greatest number of people. Because it provided ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of The Law In The House Of The Lord

Contributed by Bruce Allen on Jun 18, 2004

Just as Josiah discovered God’s Word and demanded to know what it said in order to follow it. So too, today, are we as a church of God expected to discover God’s Word in this house and make it the only Rule of our Faith and Practice.

2 Chronicles 34:14-15, 18-21a (2 Chronicles 34:1-33 and 2 Kings 22:1-20) The Book of the Law in the House of the LORD Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law given by Moses. Then Hilkiah answered and said to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Keeping Warm At The Enemy's Fire Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 19, 2004

When we see an apparently strong Christian face a spiritual defeat, we tend to think, "I would have expected that to happen to anyone but him." Peter’s denial while keeping warm at the enemy’s fire creates a similar surprise.

Title: Keeping Warm at the Enemy’s Fire Text: "Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them" (Luke 22:54-55 NIV). Scripture Reading: Luke 22:31-34, 54-62 Introduction When we see an apparently ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-62

Denomination: Pentecostal

Trouble In Paradise Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Jan 16, 2012

We begin our marriages with high hopes and great expectations and marriage is a wonderful gift from God. No marriage is perfect though and we experience "trouble in paradise." Our understanding of what God's word has to say about marriage and divorce wi

Trouble in Paradise - Matthew 5:31-32 - January 15, 2012 Series: Kingdom Life – A World Turned Upside Down #14 This April I will have been in full time pastoral ministry for some 10 years. In that time I’ve had the privilege of literally preaching several hundred messages. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:31-32

Denomination: *other

Since We Have This Ministry Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Feb 13, 2012

Did you know that you have a ministry calling? Paul is not writing to a group of pastors but to a church. Do you know what your ministry calling is as a member of the Body of Christ? Do you know what to expect as you go out to minister?

4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, Bernard L. Brown, Jr., president of the Kennestone Regional Health Care System in the state of Georgia once worked in a hospital where a patient knocked over a cup of water, which spilled on the floor beside the patient’s bed. The patient was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Withering Away

Contributed by James May on Aug 7, 2011

While some people may appear beautiful, like the fig tree, there are little or no fruits of righteousness in their lives. Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered away. Can we expect any less of we don't serve the Lord. On the other hand, there is not

Withering Away By Pastor James May The time for Jesus to pay the price for the sin of man was fast approaching. He had entered the City Gates of Jerusalem riding upon a donkey and was met by cheering crowds and the waving of palm branches. He received the welcome of a conquering king; someone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:13-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How To Grow A Church

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 29, 2010

God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. If we are to be obedient to our commission from Christ we must grow. Let’s look at what it takes to grow a church.

toHow to Grow a Church Matthew 16:13-19 Introduction: God wants His church to be fruitful. He wants and expects growth, both spiritual growth and numerical growth. But the sad reality is that that according to one survey 81% of America’s churches reported stagnant or declining membership. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Truth About Fruit Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Feb 13, 2011

All who are Christians may have heard the term “Fruit of the Spirit” before. But how is this fruit produced and does it look different from person to person and can we all, if we are Christians, expect the same type and quantity of Fruit? Today we will

The Fruit of the Spirit Truths about Spiritual Fruit Spiritual fruit will be produced in the lives of true Christians Matthew 7:16-20 Spiritual fruit may take time to produce in the lives of true Christians Luke 13:6-9 Spiritual fruit may be different in quantity in the lives of true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hardening Of The Hearteries

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 8, 2010

October 1986: We are like Pharaoh; we become stubborn when our plans do not go as we expected, and we attempt to force our way. But the difference between being merely good and being great is to be radically obedient to God's will.

The physicists used to speak of the hypothetical question: what happens when an irresistible force meets an immoveable object? What happens when a force defined as beyond the capacity of anything to resist it comes into collision with an object so firmly fixed, so deeply rooted, that it can, by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Stay Awake

Contributed by William Baeta on Dec 3, 2004

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come…so you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him” Matt. 24:42, 44.

Theme: Stay Awake Text: Is. 2:1-5; Rom. 13:11-14; Matt. 24:37-44 Today is ‘Senior Citizens Day’ and here at Covenant everyone above seventy is a senior citizen. We congratulate you all on reaching this important milestone and join you to thank the Lord for His many blessings. Today is also the 1st ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:37-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Christ Is Born!

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Dec 24, 2008

Why did they have to lay this poor child in a manger? It’s not said that they were too poor to afford a decent place, but there simply was no place in the inn. Come on: They knew she was pregnant. Traveling with an expecting woman you make reservations, d

Sermon on Christmas Eve 2008: Christ is born Birth: Luke 2:1-7 * Down-to-earth story * Political context * Not a cute family scene, but privacy issues * The powers of the time: Roman Emperor and Governor, Oppressors * Joseph and Mary humbled themselves and followed the order to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

Measuring Up To God's Standard

Contributed by Greg Tabor on Oct 21, 2005

You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the Pharisees. I’m sure there were some great expectations. Aft

Measuring Up to God’s Standard 7/10/05 Lighthouse Assembly of God Pastor Greg Tabor Introduction You’ve got to think that the folks listening to Jesus were hoping for a replacement for the stringent Law of God that had become even more difficult to keep under the unbearable traditions of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God