Sermons on Expectations From God:

Running From God

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 29, 2022

David Jansen made a big hit on the television series called, “The fugitive.”

What made this program so exciting was that every week the character he played was staying just one step ahead of the law. He was running from the law because he had been falsely accused of killing his wife. He had been convicted and sentenced to prison, but somehow he escaped. After he ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Faiths Review And Expectation -- Amazing Grace

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Dec 31, 2002

A sermon based on the verses of the hymn "Amazing Grace" as John Newton wrote it. The original title of the hymn was - "Faiths Review and Expectation"

Faiths Review And Expectation I Tim 1:12-17 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Victims Of Unrisen Expectations

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 14, 2010

We fail to experience a vital faith because we do not expect anything new, we operate out of preconceived notions, or we wait for authority figures to validate us.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, March 5, 1989 Anyone who works in an office or who has had to do either writing or typing knows that you do not proofread your own work. You just do not proofread your own work. Why not? Because the tendency is to see what we want to see, and what we ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-52

Denomination: Baptist

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Great Excuses And Greater Expectations

Contributed by Eric Snyder on Oct 25, 2002

God expects our lives to be greattestaments to his love

Great Excuses and Greater Expectations, Luke 14:15-24 Eric A. Snyder, Minister, Farwell Church of Christ July 14, 2002 I came across this list that could prove to be very helpful if you ever fall asleep at work. The following is a list of excuses you can use when caught sleeping at your desk. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hope And Expectation Forever.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Nov 12, 2014

As Christmas approaches many people become discouraged despite the festivities yet we have everything to live for according to all of today's readings. Read on!

This sermon was delivered to St Oswald’s in Maybole, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 13th December 2019 (a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries). Summary: As Christmas approaches many people become discouraged despite the festivities yet we have everything to live for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:17-18

Denomination: Episcopal

At The Intersection Of Expectation And Disappointment

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2019

John was disillusioned when he questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah. Studying this incident will assist us to avoid becoming disillusioned in Christ.

“When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Not What I Expected

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 31, 2023

Are we demanding signs? Do we allow fleshly, carnal desires to define our expectations. Do I focus on external materialism to define what I am expecting? Do we desire spiritual healthy expectations?

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) EXPECT: eager anticipation, probable to occur, to wait on something, think or believe that something is going to happen, anticipate, look forward, to hope, requires faith. WANT: to desire, wish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22, Mark 8:11-12, 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be A Christian - Expect Trouble

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 11, 2016

As a Christian Jesus encourages us to see that we should expect trouble...but fortunately our life is neither shaped by trouble or stopped by trouble.

When you sense difficulties how do you react? When you sense problems what is your response? Maybe you are like this bloke Jeff was happily carrying a box of photocopier paper through the office, when out of no where jumped his friend Fred scaring him Instantly Jeff jumped The box of paper went ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Living With Expectant Hope

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Feb 23, 2025

This is a sermon I used during advent but could be modified for any time of year... It's all about living with the Hope of the return of Jesus.

“Stay Awake: Living with Expectant Hope” Mark 13:24-37 Imagine it’s a dark and stormy night. Rain is pounding against your windows, and thunder rolls in the distance. You’ve just settled into a deep sleep when there’s a loud knock at the door. Startled you sit up, heart pounding, who could be ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expectations Across The Pond

Contributed by Quint Pitts on Dec 9, 2009

This sermon examines the expecations surrounding the arrival of the Messiah. It is designed in Antiphonal format with Christmas carols interspersed throughout.

EXPECTATIONS ACROSS THE POND Christmas Around the World—Part 1 In other parts of the world you might find yourself celebrating Christmas by skiing down a mountain side with a lighted torch in your hand…strewing hay on the floor of your home…knocking on a neighbors door in a symbolic pilgrimage. ...read more

Denomination: *other

Expect Chaos (Pentecost)

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Dec 15, 2008

This is a Pentecost sermon that focuses on the power of the Holy Spirit to make things happen.

“Expect Chaos!” In the spirit of Mother’s day, I would like to tell the tale of four-year-old Little Johnny… Johnny asked, "Mommy, where do babies come from? "The stork, dear." replied Johnny’s Mom. "Mommy, who keeps bad people from robbing our house?" Asked Little Johnny. Johnny’s mother ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Disappointment And Discontentment Of Expectations Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Dec 8, 2007

Tell me about your expectations – especially of people – and I will tell you about the disappointment in your life. Tell me about the details you expect to be fulfilled in your life, and I will tell you about the discontentment that you live with.

The Disappointment and Discontentment of Expectations Matthew 16:1-12 Tell me about your expectations – especially of people – and I will tell you about the disappointment in your life. Tell me about the details you expect to be fulfilled in your life, and I will tell you about the discontentment ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expectations & Evidence

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 16, 2023

Yeshua was saying, “Don’t be upset because I’m not what you expected. You’ve got my credentials. Now trust me for the rest of it.”

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 Reality Of Expectant Faith Series

Contributed by David Jenkins on Sep 25, 2004

The reality of expectant faith

Acts 4:23, “23As soon as they were freed, Peter and John found the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.” This here is a transition into the heart of the testimony of God’s active involvement as expressed in Acts 4:23-31 and the remainder of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible