Sermons on Expectant Prayer:

Reasonable Expectations

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

Life has become very frustrating for many professing Christians, primarily because their EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT REASONABLE.

Illus: Reaching the end of a job interview, the Technical Recruiter asked a young Engineer fresh out of college, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The recruiter ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

An Expected End PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 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

Expect The Unexpected

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Sep 27, 2022

Life is full of unexpected moments—it would be boring without them. But what happens when that unexpected moment is huge? It affects you personally, and it’s something that seems unbearable. It causes you to doubt. That’s what we find in Luke 7 with John the Baptist.

Has something unexpected ever happened to you? —you find a 20 dollar bill in between the cushions on your couch —you bump into someone at the store that you haven’t seen in 5 years —the forecast says it’ll be sunny, but it pours —the dog decides to bring you a gift from the outside world, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:19-20

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

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Kingdom Of Expectations Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of the 'kingdom of expectations', emphasizing how our preconceived notions can prevent us from recognizing and accepting Jesus as our savior.

Welcome back church! I’m excited you’re here as we continue on in our 2-part series, King of all kingdoms. Last week we looked at John 18:28-39 and the collision that the Kingdom of God had with the kingdom of culture. This week we’ll be focusing way in on one verse from that longer passage that ...read more

Scripture: John 18:36

Topics: Kingdom Expectations, Savior Embrace, Divine Grace

Sermon Series: King Of All Kingdoms

Kingdom Of Expectations Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 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

Prayer That Changes Things

Contributed by Sean Lester on Jan 19, 2007

Proposition: Faith is necessary for believers to rise to God’s expectations.

Prayer that Changes Things Rev. Sean Lester October 17, 2004 Text: Luke 17:1-10 LK 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. [2] It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Prayer - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Apr 18, 2024

This is the first of a three-part Bible study on prayer. In this first study, we look at the types of prayers and the foundations on which our prayers must rest.

NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus. This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Samuel 1:27-28, Psalm 76:4, Psalm 63:1, Psalm 18:46, Psalm 89:1, Psalm 51:2-4, Psalm 28:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Colossians 1:9, Matthew 15:28, 1 Corinthians 14:14, Hebrews 11:6, Matthew 6:6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithful In Prayer Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 25, 2005

Being faithful to God includes being faithful in prayer. To be faithful in prayer requires that we understand that prayer is expected, effective and must not be exhausted.

A.We’ve been talking about God’s faithfulness and our faithfulness. 1.We have been reminded of the fact that we are called to be faithful. 2. That call is not a call to perfection, but a call to consistency and reliability. 3. All of this calls for the need to be faithful in attendance and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Living With Great Expectations Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 1, 2022

We can expect… 1) An inheritance 2) God’s power to protect us 3) Troubles to strengthen our faith 4) The salvation of our souls

Living With Great Expectations Living-Hope – week 2 Bumper LAST WEEK – we began a study on 1 Peter a 2000 year old letter full of God breathed words… LISTEN – if your hope is running on empty. If you think your story is finished. Peter has a word for you about a living-hope. A sure anchor in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Is The Only Answer

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Jul 29, 2002

If we are not praying right we can’t expect much from God.

PRAYER IS THE ONLY ANSWER EX 32:7-10, DT 9:7-11, 17-19 In DT 9 Moses is recounting how God has brought them to where they are. More than once he refers to them as a rebellious people. It was because Moses was a man of prayer that these people were still alive. I want us to recall what ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 9:7-17

Denomination: Wesleyan