Sermons on Shattered Expectations:

Judas Iscariot

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Mar 13, 2018

Why did Judas Iscariot betray Jesus - was there an ulterior motive? Did Judas Iscariot see something in Jesus that the other disciples missed? Was Judas Iscariot trying to kick-start Jesus into action as the real and promised Messiah, the expected Messiah

Judas Iscariot John 12: 1-8 Today’s gospel from John is set in holy week, the anointing of Jesus with precious ointment – a poignant scene; but Judas reacted that it was a terrible waste, the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor. John's comment is that Judas said this, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16, Matthew 26:47-50, John 12:1-8

Go In To Possess

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 12, 2013

Sometimes we expect God to spoon-feed us! We want the ‘blessings’ wrapped with colorful, glossy paper and given to us; it does not happen that way, there are times we got to just move forward and possess it.

Go in to possess! Nehemiah 9:15”You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, And told them to go in to possess the land Which You had sworn to give them.” Observe the title once more, it is not 'go in and possess' but it ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Surprised By Prayer Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 19, 2012

Even as I’m concerned about people who misunderstand the purpose of prayer, I’m also concerned about those who do understand, but who seem to pray with no expectation of God honoring prayers or acting on our behalf.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (In preparing this message as part of a sermon series on “Prayer” I have borrowed heavily, and adapted, from an outstanding sermon of the same title by Mike Hays of the Britton Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do It On God's Appointed Time

Contributed by Dr. Ade Oyeyemi on Feb 15, 2013

Often we run our program and expect God to comply with what we are doing, but the easiest way to get things done and right is to work with God's timetable. Christians are to learn patience and reliance on God, anytime we operate on the permissive will of

The Ultimate Substitute God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham’s precious son, to Him. Abraham did not ask any questions but obeyed because he trusted wholeheartedly in God and believed something was going to happen. God, in response to Abraham's faith and obedience, provided a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Easter: Do You Believe In The God Of Surprises?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 3, 2010

Do you believe in the God of surprises? I do - but there is no way the friends of Jesus expected him to rise from the dead. No way! But the Good News is that he did and it is Good News for all people. Do you believe in the God of surprises?

Do you believe in the God of surprises? Now, let’s be clear, just in case anyone’s not sure. Although The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourite books, and one of my favourite films, I know that it’s only make-believe; but just like the parables that Jesus told – the stories he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

Don't Strike The Rock - Speak To It!

Contributed by Vera Hughes on Oct 15, 2013

As a child of God, there is no longer any reason to wonder if God wants to bless you. The waters are flowing from the Rock (Jesus Christ). Because of this eternal truth, we can expect to be blessed, redeemed and healed in every area of our lives.

As a child of God, there is no longer any reason to wonder if God wants to bless you. It was forever settled that issue at the cross. The waters are flowing from the Rock (Jesus Christ). Because of this eternal truth, we can expect to be blessed, redeemed and healed in every area of our lives. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Jealous God Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 1, 2015

God is “jealous” in the sense that He expects complete, exclusive devotion; not merely a partial, lukewarm, half-hearted religious observance. Worship belongs to God. He is worthy of worship and has a right to be “jealous” of it.

The Bible clearly teaches that God is a jealous God. That doesn’t sit well with us; the very notion of the jealousy of God sounds offensive. We think of jealousy as an entirely negative quality--a sin. Yet God declares that He is jealous. God restricts allegiance to Himself alone: ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-6

Denomination: Congregational

The Office Of The Pastor

Contributed by Ed Warfield on Feb 29, 2008

Pastors are under attack today as never before. Many are overworked, underpaid, stressed-out & crumbling under the pressure of unrealistic expectations & constant crisis. Satan wants to destroy the church & he makes pastors special targets of his attack.

The Office of the Pastor Intro.: Pastors are under attack today as never before. Many are overworked, underpaid, stressed-out and crumbling under the pressure of unrealistic expectations and constant crisis of their flock. Many churches demand more of their pastors than any person could do. Many ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Wise Or Fool Series

Contributed by Rule Digal on Aug 11, 2008

Jesus consistently and continually preached that we need to be ready. Over and over again we hear him say, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Wise or Fool Matthew 25:1-13 NOte: Some materials of this sermon are taken from sermoncentral.com Now, let’s continue on in our series on the Parables of Jesus. Let’s open our Bible to the book of Matt.25: 1-13, and study the Parable of the Ten Virgins. The main emphasis of this parable is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evicted But Not Abandoned Series

Contributed by Preacher Fo Real on May 12, 2011

God loves us and gives us a generous portion of His grace and mercy to be able to feed, clothe ourselves, and exist in our right mind. However, God’s favor or goodwill goes farther than we expect it should.

Early this morning, I sat looking into the dark sky and the verses from Psalm 30: 5 entered my mind. I watched the shadows of darkness flee from the coming morning light and heard the word of God speak, ‘For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life.’ Suddenly, the noise of daybreak ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-5

Denomination: *other

Producing Fruits Of The Kingdom

Contributed by William Baeta on Oct 7, 2017

“What more could have been done to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?” Is. 5:4

Introduction: The focus of many people today is to acquire wealth and property and enjoy worldly pleasures. This is not surprising as the wealthy are accorded the best places at functions and attract the most respect no matter the source of their wealth. The first words of Scripture, however ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 3:2-11, Matthew 21:33-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Well Done!

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 14, 2017

What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Do we take risks using our gifts or hide them for safekeeping? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally?

Prelude What does God expect us to do with what Heaven has given us? Do we take risks using our gifts or hide them for safekeeping? Why hasn’t God given to us all equally? Purpose: Let’s see what God expects us to do with our gifts. Plan: Let’s look at the Parable of the Talents in Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Baptist

'amend Your Way'

Contributed by Patrick Agbonkpolor on Oct 13, 2020

Our walk with God is predicated on our being obedient to Him. No one lives in disobedience and expect the blessings from God no matter how religious he tries to be. We need to amend our way in conformity to the Word of God.

"This saith the LORD of hosts,the God of Israel,Amend your ways and your doings,and I will cause you to dwell in this place" (Jer 7:3) This message came to Judah through Jeremiah about 612 BC. There was a show of public worship without a corresponding transformation in the lives of the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Truth Lives Forever Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on May 17, 2021

Truth lives forever, because Christ lives forever, who is the embodiment of Truth. He expects his disciples to reflect on him in their day to day life. Three things are said: Be a Faithful Witness, Have faithful Lips, and Be a Truthful Person.

Theme: Truth Lives Forever Text: Proverbs 12:17-27 Greetings The Lord is good; His love endures forever. So far, we have meditated on the themes of Kingdom of Truth, Truth will set you free, Worship in Truth and Spirit, and on Three Faithful Men. Now we will meditate on the theme “Truth Lives ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 12:17-27

Denomination: Methodist

Joshua 2: The Spies Found More Than Just Info! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 29, 2024

Spies have the mission to find out selected, desired, information and report what they found. Two Hebrew spies were sent to find out what they could about Jericho, but they found something they didn't expect to see!

Introduction: This second chapter of Joshua has the record of two spies, sent by Joshua, to get as much information about Jericho as they could. This chapter also has the account of how Rahab, a Canaanitess and native of Jericho, had come to believe in the God of Israel. Rahab protected the two ...read more

Denomination: Baptist