Sermons on Expectations:

Elijah - Unrealistic Expectations Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 14, 2018

God’s grace is spectacular… even when it isn’t

ENGAGE Fourteen years ago I was a struggling bi-vocational church planter. Because our church plant had gone through some tough times, we were meeting at our house over the summer and praying for God’s direction. During that time I got a phone call from Denny Howard, who was the pastor here at ...read more

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

James: Identity And Expectation Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 27, 2023

#47 in 66in52: A One Year Journey Through the Bible

#47. James: Identity and Expectation James 1:1-12 Good morning! Please open your Bibles to the book of James. My favorite book of the Bible. Not just because my name is James, although I’m not gonna lie—I remember looking at the Table of Contents in my copy of the Children’s Living Bible when I ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Keys To Greater Expectations Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jan 9, 2022

Nothing provokes the blessings of God than "fear of God and walks in His ways".

OASIS POTTERLIGHT CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL OCCASION: Sunday Service, Sermon THEME: My Year Of Greater Expectations SUBJECT: Keys To Greater Expectations PREACHER: Rev. (Prophet) Rudolf E. Y. Mensah DATE: Sunday, January 9th, 2022 TEXT: Psalm 128:1-6, NIV: "...Blessed are all who fear the LORD, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6, John 14:21, Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Expect Persecution, Not Prosperity

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 13, 2022

You will be confused and doubting God when things fall apart if you are awaiting a golden age when God has promised persecution.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13, John 15:18-20, 1 Peter 4:12-19, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Life No One Expected Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Mar 7, 2024

Moses wanted to pass on this lesson from the garden to God’s people so they would learn from it, live by it, and thrive.

Genesis 1-2 begins with the orderly creation which forms the content of the scriptural vision for the future. Genesis 2 is a more detailed account of the creation narrative where we see Adam and Eve in paradise, in the midst of an incredible garden prepared for them by God Himself. At the end of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I'm Expecting PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 15, 2023

This sermon explores Mary's faith journey, emphasizing her divine favor, courageous fight, and steadfast faith in God amidst trials, as an inspiration for believers.

Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred space where we gather in fellowship and faith, where we seek solace and strength, where we find comfort and courage in the Word of God. As we gather today, let's remember that we are not alone in our journey of faith. We are bound together by the love of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:30-31

Topics: Handling, Carrying, Bigger

The Expectations And Responses To The Gospel Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on May 27, 2024

God has placed a hunger in our heart to hear the truth of the Gospel, it is the “missing piece” that we have – it is this truth that draws us to God, and why we too must tell others the Good News!

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 20 The expectations and responses to the Gospel Acts 13:42 – 14:7 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth” -- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise) -- And we looked ahead, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:42-52, Acts 14:1-7, Matthew 5:6, John 3:18, Matthew 10:14, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 9:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Yours An Expectant Faith?

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Apr 23, 2024

Faith means maintaining our trust in God, even when He makes us wait.

Have you ever watched the surfing contests in Hawaii? From what I read, surfing is all about the timing. The environment for surfing is dynamic with the waves, wind, and conditions constantly changing. It doesn't matter how long you spend in the water if you don't have the right timing. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-56, 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

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 & Excuses

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 7, 2025

In Genesis 3:8-13, the refining of our expectations and removal of our excuses is shown in three ways through 1) God’s Gracious Call (Genesis 3:8-9), 2) God’s Gentle Question (Genesis 3:10-11), and 3) God’s Grace for Our Excuses (Genesis 3:12-13).

Genesis 3:8-13. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-13

Denomination: Other

'tis The Season To Be Expectant And Jubilant Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 2, 2016

Our expectations can bring limitations on people or on God. Jesus works in the realm of faith. He freely limits Himself based on our expectations of Him. It is our expectations of His faithfulness that create and sustain Joy in us.

Intro: Harvard social psychologist Robert Rosenthal’s classic did a study of children to see how they responded to expectations. All the children in one San Francisco grade school were given a standard I.Q. test at the beginning of the school year. The teachers were told the test could ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-5

Denomination: Baptist