Sermons on Expectations:

Easter Sunday 2020

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 6, 2020

Maybe it has been a while since you’ve heard the Easter story. Why is this story so important? A discouraged group of women came with little hope and low expectations to honor a dead rabbi. This is how many of you feel today - no hope and very low expectations.

Easter Sunday 2020 What have we learned? 1. Church is more than a building. 2. Church is also not less than the gathering. 3. Our hope is certain. Maybe it has been a while since you’ve heard the Easter story. Why is this story so important? What difference does this story make in my life? What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, Romans 8:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King, The Temple, And The Tree - Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 15, 2025

The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is both pure and fruitful. JESUS enters as the rightful KING, calls His people to pure worship, and expects genuine faith that bears spiritual fruit.

2025.08.17. Sermon Notes. The KING, The Temple, and The Tree_Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Welcoming the KING, Purifying the Heart, Bearing Fruit in Faith BIG IDEA: The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-22, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:25-26, Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, John 15:8, Galatians 5:22-23, James 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Mark 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Fruitful Spirit Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Jul 27, 2007

When you see a Christian you expect them to be bearing fruit don’t you? You expect each believer to be winning souls for Christ and training others to serve Him right? Not so sure about that one, huh? The apostle Paul, as he is writing to the Roman Chr

A Fruitful Spirit “Where’s the beef?” Those of you old enough, do you remember that Wendy’s commercial with the little old lady asking “Where’s the beef?” barely tall enough to see over the counter? That commercial is a commentary on expectations. You go to a fast-food restaurant and they serve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Answer To Prayer Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 19, 2008

God is not some kind of celestial slot machine. You don’t pop in a quarter or two’s worth of prayer, hit a button, and expect to receive exactly what you want. God is not a genie in a bottle. You don’t rub the bottle with your prayer, and expect God to

Introduction: A fifth grade boy who had heard a sermon on persistence in prayer was praying by himself in his room one night. As his dad passed his door, he heard the boy praying over and over again, "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." The next day, the dad asked his son what we were doing. The boy replied that ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Above And Beyond

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jan 20, 2001

When we do more than what’s expected, we put ourselves in the place to be used greatly the God.

Above and Beyond Genesis 24:1-9 Matthew 5:38-48 Test Genesis 24:9-20 Sometimes in order to obtain things that are truly worth having, we have to go above and beyond the call of duty. We’re often touched when ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Secured To The Dock

Contributed by Brian Shelley on Sep 3, 2001

If, in your spiritual immaturity, you go back to your old religion, expect that God will keep you there.

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Secured to the Dock Intro William Hazlitt, 19th century English essayist said, “When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest. If Hazlitt was right, this will be one of the most interesting sermons I will ever preach because it comes ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Surrendered Life

Contributed by Jimmy Giffin on May 4, 2004

The Surrendered Life is what God requires. Anything else falls short. If we expect victory we must surrender.

THE SURRENDERED LIFE Text: Galatians 2 : 20 The word surrender conjures up many pictures. We think of Japan’s surrender at the end of WW II. Maybe we picture the celebrations in Times Square. To some it may be the image of Saddam Hussein and his spider-hole. And to others just a simple wrestling ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Church Of God

From A Mustard Seed

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

On the occasion of a weekend conference for training men in worship, this sermon challenges the men to expect God’s blessing on their small beginning.

Psalm 92, Ezekiel 31:1-6,10-14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Mark 4:26-34 From a mustard seed One things that grabs the attention of St. Athanasius parishioners today is the presence of all these men in our fellowship for the Lord’s worship on the Sunday morning. To those of you here this morning from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Take Heart! Take Courage!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 20, 2006

Sometimes we can get passive and expect blessings to be given to us. It is high to arise and TAKE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!

TAKE HEART! TAKE COURAGE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com I. WE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS WALK IN DEFEAT IF OUR OUT GOING IS MORE THAN OUR INCOMING! A. YOU CAN NOT ARISE IN PUBLIC BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE IN PRIVATE. Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

#10 -- Opposition Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Nov 17, 2006

As followers of Jesus, we should expect to face opposition, but we can trust that God has "cut the cords of the wicked."

Introduction Pastor Eugene Peterson tells a story from his childhood—a story about having to deal with enemies. For him it came in the form a school bully who beat him up every day after school. It seemed no matter how young Eugene tried to avoid him—in the forms of alternate routes and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 129:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Mephibosheth And Me

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 20, 2006

The story of Mephibosheth is a perfect illustration of the Gospel. I used this sermon on a "Friend Day" when we expected many visitors.

Introduction: A. Today I want to tell the story of a man named Mephibosheth. 1. Now there’s a name for you! Anyone want to use that name for their son? 2. It’s so hard to pronounce that I thought about giving him a nickname for today. 3. I thought about just calling him “M.” 4. Then I thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Remember The Poor

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 18, 2006

The poor have a special place in God’s heart, and God expects His people to remember and respond appropriately to the poor.

Introduction: A. As you know, I like the Peanuts cartoons. 1. In one cartoon, Lucy approaches Charlie Brown with a piece of paper and a pen, and says, “Here sign this. It absolves me from all blame.” 2. Then she goes to Shroeder with the same paper and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Miracles

Contributed by Mark Holdcroft on Mar 9, 2007

Are healings and miracles just for the times of the Apostles, or can we expect to see them today? This sermon attempts to answer that question.

Miracles I have been asked to speak on the subject of miracles. This subject leaves me with a dilemma. It is not what to say that is the problem, but what to leave out. It is a very large topic. I have decided to split the topic into four different areas. Firstly, what are miracles and what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

"The Invisible Guest At Our Wedding" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Apr 22, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God expects believers NOT TO DEFRAUD (or cheat on)their spouses.

Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG) 22 April 2007 (Kenny Harris III’s Birthday) U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Ord Chapel Seaside, California BIG IDEA: God expects us to protect the spirit of marriage, within us, by not defrauding our spouses. References: Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG); Deuteronomy ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Holding Fast To The Profession Of Our Faith

Contributed by Sunday Adelaja on Jan 16, 2008

Hope is a firm expectation, which makes you have confidence in someone or something. This means that the synonym of hope is trust or confidence.

Hope is a firm expectation, which makes you have confidence in someone or something. This means that the synonym of hope is trust or confidence. Faith on the other hand is a firm conviction in the accomplishment of something; the confidence that one’s expectation will be met or fulfilled soon. Do ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-4

Denomination: Church Of God