Sermons on Exceeding Expectations:

Christmas Expectations

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 1, 2018

An advent series focused on our expectations at the Christmas season.

Christmas Expectations! What Difference Does Christmas Make Luke 1:46-55 December 2, 2018 It feels so strange for me to think that the Christmas season has officially begun. Yes, according to stores that started on November 1st, the day after Halloween. To be honest, I’m not really into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting Miracles

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 8, 2023

We are not unsuspecting people who came to Jerusalem and walked into a miracle. We are already part of an ongoing miracle - and don’t want to miss a minute of it!

Three times a year, every Jewish man was supposed to come to Jerusalem to give thanks. Their Thanksgiving, like ours, was in the fall. They called it the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths, though, because people built temporary shelters out in the fields to sleep in overnight, that is if they slept ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, Ezekiel 37:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Great Expectations

Contributed by Larry Grant on Sep 28, 2025

Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Deuteronomy 28:13 teaches that WHILE YOU ARE HERE “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail and you shall be above and not beneath.”

Jeremiah 29:4-11 KJV “Great Expectations” September 28, 2025 “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 6, 2023

Life is unpredictable, so expect to be surprised.

A few years ago (2017), authorities apprehended a group of Minnesota teens for attempting to steal a cake from a local grocery store. The teens were embarrassed, but even more so when they discovered the cake was fake—it was a cardboard display cake. The grocery store owner decided not to press ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Great Expectations

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2023

John the Baptist's followers struggle with changing their allegiance to Jesus.

Zach was tired. He had been coming down to Tiberias every week for almost two months, bringing news and food to John in prison, and it looked like he’d probably be doing it for the rest of the year. Nothing had changed. After Herod arrested John for publicly accusing him of incest and adultery, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Pitfalls Of Expectation Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 27, 2025

Here are biblical examples that illustrate the importance of tempering our expectations with reality.

Expectations can be a double-edged sword in relationships. While they can inspire hope and anticipation, they can also lead to disappointment and heartache. The Bible offers valuable insights into the complexities of human relationships and the dangers of unchecked expectations. Here are biblical ...read more

Scripture: John 5:39-40, Matthew 26:33-35

Kingdom Of Expectations Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

Embrace Jesus as our Savior, even when He doesn't fit our expectations.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all deal with - expectations. That refers to those things we think should happen or how things should be. Sometimes, our expectations can get in the way of seeing the real deal. So, let's dive into this idea and see how it connects to Jesus and our ...read more

Scripture: John 18:36

Topics: Divine Recognition, Expectation Vs Reality, Jesus' Identity, Spiritual Perception

An Expected End PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we can't see it, because He has a purpose for us and can do the impossible.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into one of the most comforting and inspiring verses in the bible - Jeremiah 29:11. It tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Topics: God's Control

Expected Things PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 29, 2023

This sermon encourages us to maintain unwavering hope in God's promises, recognize His unseen beauty, and hold onto our expectations even in times of adversity.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to gather together, to share in the warmth of fellowship and the light of God's Word. We are, each one of us, like travelers on a road, not always certain of the destination, but confident in the One who guides us. It's a road that stretches out before us, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-4

Topics: Hope

Expectations Of More PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 4, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to trust in God's triumph, treasure heavenly things, and transcend worldly desires by living with an eternal perspective.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a joy to gather together today, unified in our faith, bound by love, and ready to receive from our generous God. As we gather here, let's remember that our faith is not a stagnant pond, but a living, rushing river, always moving, always alive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Topics: Trusting God

The Expectation Of Righteousness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 14, 2024

This sermon explores the joy of righteous hope, the importance of wisdom for wholeness, and the courage needed to face consequences of our actions.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s a joy to gather together, bound by our shared faith and love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we gather not only as a community, but as a family, brought together by the divine grace and mercy of our Lord. As we prepare our hearts to ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 10:28

Topics: Patience, Reward

How High Is The Bar?

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Jun 7, 2015

He wants us to awake with great expectations every morning, with Him right smack dab in the center of them... Not only meeting..but exceeding those expectations!

How High Is The Bar? Ephesians 2:4–-7, NKJ “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us...raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expanding Your Expectations

Contributed by Michael Bridge on Jun 4, 2003

I want to challenge you to expand your expectations in three areas. 1. What church is all about. 2. What God can do through you. 3. What Grace is all about.

Expanding our Expectations And pursue those expectations with anticipation Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Ephesians 3: 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beyond The Limits Of Expectation

Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Aug 12, 2011

Understanding the discipline of 1) Managing Your Action 2) Guarding Your Attitude 3) Giving Your Assets

Beyond the Limits of Expectation Philippians 4: 11-13, 19 Introduction Paul is in prison in Rome and speaks ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Church Membership: Expect What The Bible Expects

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Oct 19, 2020

True and genuine church growth comes not as a result of mere addition but multiplication.

Rev. L. B. Williams, in his book on "Holiness Illustrations," relates the following: "A young man who was desperately in love with a young lady, wrote her that he would be willing to endure the cold of the frigid zone, or cross the burning sands of the desert, or climb the highest ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible