Sermons on Expectant Hope:

When God’s Promises Seem Too Good To Be Real Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2019

Mary's response to Gabriel's message is surprising. The message is unexpectedly encouraging, yet the Bible says she was deeply troubled. Are there times when God gives us good news but we don't treat it like good news?

THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE: Gabriel’s message was unexpectedly encouraging yet troubling to Mary. - Luke 1:28-29. - The message and the response don’t immediately line up. Let’s start with the response: v. 29 tells us that Mary was greatly troubled. Given that response, you would presume that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

When Things Haven't Turned Out The Way You Expected

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 8, 2010

A look at John the Baptist's astonishing admission of doubt about who Jesus is and why we often have similar doubts.

OUR COMPLAINT: “This is not what I signed up for.” - Matthew 11:2a – John in prison. - I cannot read the mind of John, but I can’t help but believe that a prison cell was the last place he expected to end up. - He is the great prophet of God, the forerunner of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

First Fruits Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 27, 2011

We build a "Life of Stewardship" in the offering of "Firstfruits", when we:1) Use God’s gift to His fullest Expectations. (Deuteronomy 26:1), 2) Return to God the first of everything He has given you (Deuteronomy 26:2-4), 3) Share the story of God’s goodn

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had to walk a fine line in (this week`s) G8 summit talks on the Middle East, upholding Ottawa’s strong support for Israel while respecting President Obama’s recent call for talks based on pre-war 1967 borders, and resisting Europe’s determination to pressure the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Other

The Disease Of "Give-Up-Itis"

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 17, 2016

WE FACE A DEADLY DISEASE CALLED: "GIVE-UP-ITIS!" Life and ministry can grow very heavy and our arms can grow tired and weary. David teaches us, when things do not go as we hoped, we have to try again.

FACING THE DISEASE OF GIVE-UP-ITIS By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com There is a little man at one of the rest homes we visit weekly, his name is Bo. I say: How are you doing Bo? He answers: AWL, I AM HOLDING ON --- THERE GROWS A DEADLY DISEASE --- IT IS CALLED ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

For To Us A Child Is Born

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 23, 2016

The concept of hope as set forth in Isaiah 9:1-7 shows us that just as God dispelled the darkness at creation, so he will bring light into a world made dark by sin and unbelief.

Scripture Tonight is Christmas Eve. During Advent, I have preached a series of messages on the Old Testament Scripture Readings that I am calling, “Advent in Isaiah.” In about 740 BC God called Isaiah to be a minister of his Word to Jerusalem and the southern kingdom of Judah. The culture had ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Revival In The Valley PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

No matter how hopeless or dead a situation may seem, God has the power to breathe life back into it.

Good morning, family. Today, we will be diving deep into the wonderful book of Ezekiel, focusing on chapter 37, verses 1-14. This story, commonly known as 'The Valley of Dry Bones,' is a vivid portrayal of God's promise of restoration and a revival of hope. It's a reminder that no matter how bleak ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Topics: Hope

Mark PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 7, 2023

Explores the hope and salvation found in the Second Coming of Christ, urging believers to remain vigilant and faithful.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a blessing to gather here today. We're about to embark on a voyage through the scripture. A voyage that will take us through the words of Mark, chapter 13, verses 24 to 37. Let's read together. [Read passage] The words of Mark, inspired by God, carry a message of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Topics: Hope

"Thank God" No Matter What!

Contributed by Charlie Roberts on Dec 4, 2014

It's like He says… You know they never stopped thanking me or believing that I would do what they were asking me to do the whole time..I'm not just going to meet their need… I'm going to exceed it to the level they could never think or imagine!

Thank God...No matter what Illus. The day before Thanksgiving an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said to him, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; 45 years of misery is enough. We can't take it any longer…We’re ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What God Expects, Not What He Inspects - Who Is Your Neighbor?

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 24, 2023

We often do what we think God will INSPECT, not what he EXPECTS us to do.

Do you love your neighbor? Love - that's a big word. Love is the fulfillment of all of God's laws. It's greater than any spiritual gift you could have. It's the reason God put us here on earth. It's even what Jesus said would confirm that we are his disciples. LOVE. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Live What Jesus Expected - Revelation 3:15-16 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on May 5, 2025

Biblical obedience. Daily surrender. Sacrificial love. Passionate evangelism. Unashamed holiness. These are not lofty, elite-level Christian goals—they are the standard Jesus set. The normal Christian life, in Jesus’ eyes, is anything but lukewarm.

Go! And Live What Jesus Expected Revelation 3:15-16 (NLT): "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!" Introduction: Setting the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:15-16, Luke 9:23, 2 Timothy 3:5, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 14:27, Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1, John 15:5, Philippians 2:13, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Matthew 22:37, Proverbs 3:5-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Sunday After Christmas Sermon Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 20, 2015

How did Christmas 2014 feel to you? Maybe your Christmas wasn’t all you expected. Now that Christmas is over, maybe the excitement has passed and life is already returning to some kind of normal. Whatever normal might be in your life!

The Sunday after Christmas sermon How was your Christmas? Yesterday I went to buy some petrol and as I was queuing up to pay I heard another driver ask the cashier: “How was your Christmas?” Her response was “I am SO HAPPY that Christmas is over!” - I find that a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

New Clothes, New Name, New Hope

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Jan 6, 2021

the way Jesus changes us, with New Clothes, New Name, New Hope

? Introduction These readings are appropriate for the time of year, not just because they are talking about Jesus’ birth, but because they have lots of new things in them, and we all love getting new things at Christmas. I’m going to talk about new cloths, new names and new or at least ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-3, Isaiah 61:10-11, Luke 2:15-21

Denomination: Anglican

A Living Hope That Will Sustain Us In Times Of Sorrow

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Dec 26, 2002

In a world of hopelessness and despair, there is a God in whom we can trust.

Introduction: We live in a world that is filled with despair and hopelessness. Unemployement, weapons of mass destruction, confused government, snipper terror, travel crisis and even trouble in the church. Hope in the bible has multiple meanings. It is a favorable and confident expectation. It has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope Of His Return Hebrews 9:28 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 2, 2024

Hebrews 9:28 highlights three powerful truths: the finality of Christ's sacrifice, the certainty of His return, and the salvation He brings. Let's delve into these truths and see how they transform our lives.

The Hope of His Return Hebrews 9:28 Introduction Today, we explore a verse that encapsulates the hope and assurance we have as believers in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:28 says: Hebrews 9:28 (NLT): "So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:28

Denomination: Pentecostal

Can One Have Hope Without God?

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 7, 2018

God hears us because He hears Christ, and He loves us the way He loves Christ. In a nutshell, identity in Christ means every child of God can point to Jesus and before the Father’s throne testify: “I’m with Him.”

2/4/04 Title: Can One Have Hope Without God? Text: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:4) Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:4-13

Denomination: Baptist