Sermons on Frustrated Expectations:

Murphey’s Law Vs God’s Promise

Contributed by Ken Hamilton on Jan 14, 2026

People quote it like Scripture. They live by it like doctrine. They wake up expecting trouble, expecting stress, expecting the next shoe to drop. And if we’re not careful, we start living like that’s the truth.

“SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY ARE IN THIS PLACE” Psalm 54:4 • Amos 3:7 • Psalm 23:6 Page 1 — Introduction: Murphey’s Law Vs God’s Promise Church, I want to begin this morning with a word that every one of us has heard at some point in our lives. A word that has shaped the way people think, the way ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 54:4

Faith On Fumes

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 3, 2025

Weariness and frustration blur obedience, but grace restores focus; through surrender, God’s servants finish inside the promise their strength could never reach.

It was a clear day on Mount Nebo. The sun hung high over the cracked ridges of Moab, turning every stone to copper. From where he stood, Moses could see the whole sweep of the Promised Land. Jericho shimmered in the distance; the olive hills of Ephraim glowed green; beyond them the ridges of Judah ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-8, Numbers 20:7-12, 1 Corinthians 10:4, John 4:14, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Jesus Lifestyle - Loving Others

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Apr 29, 2010

What can you expect if you decided to follow Jesus?

17As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you—in person, not in heart—we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. 18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Who Can Be Saved? Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 11, 2008

Salvation seems elusive, whether it means personal peace, reconciliation, or productive life. Good Friday we see what God will do about that frustration.

I Everyone gets frustrated. In ways small or great, we feel the frustration of not being able to do what we want to do, not being able have what we want to have, not being able to achieve as we would want to achieve. Young people, by nature, dream great dreams. If you give them half a chance, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Wanted: Ditch Diggers Series

Contributed by Kent Kessler on May 12, 2007

What do you do when the things that were expected are interrupted or even stopped? When your expectations go unfulfilled? Have you had to deal with some unfulfilled expectations recently? God knows how to help!

I got myself into remodeling an apartment’s bedroom into a bathroom. I thought the cost would be about $400-$500. It turned out to be closer to $1200. Ever get involved with something that turned out to be more of a hassle than it should have been? I think we all can testify to getting ourselves ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:4-27

Denomination: Methodist

No Paycheck On Wednesday - James 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

How to synchronize the clock of your expectations with divine providence.

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7

Christians Are To Live In Hope Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Aug 24, 2010

Christians are to live in elpizo hope; always expecting and anticipating the glory of God to happen!

How many of you have heard the term “Health and Wealth Gospel” or “Prosperity Gospel”?? This type of “gospel” basically states that once you believe in Jesus Christ, everything will go well with you. This “gospel” will state that if you’re poor or sick, you must be weak in your faith! This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What We Believe About The End Times Series

Contributed by Todd Blair on Jul 4, 2022

Are we living in the end times and, if so, what to expect?

Okay, here's the scenario. You are sixteen years old again. Whoohoo! And your parents tell you they are going out of town for a few weeks. Whoohoo!! The fridge is stocked and here's some spending money if you need anything. Whoohoo!!! BUT they have had cameras installed all over the house. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:12-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 24, 2006

Those who were expecting God’s deliverer, the Messiah, were confused when Jesus came on the scene offering a Kingdom, not of this world as they expected, but a Kingdom to Come of Peace and Trusting Service.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 St. Matthew 11:2-10 Unexpected Messiah During the Advent Season we sang hymns and read lessons about the promised Christ, the Messiah who would deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. Many First Century followers of St. John the Baptist as well as followers of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Ready To Wait For God's Time, Season?

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Aug 13, 2020

We are in lockdown for the last few months. Covid-19 hunts us and ruins our lives. Are we not frustrated with God? Are we not upset with God?

Are we ready to wait for God's time, season? Reflection Dear sisters and brothers, We are in lockdown for the last few months. Covid-19 hunts us and ruins our lives. Are we not frustrated with God? Are we not upset with God? We question: why did God bring this pandemic into the world? ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Matthew 14:23, Luke 5:16, Luke 4:42, Luke 9:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Irritation: Facing The Problem Before The Promise.

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jan 3, 2026

In real daily life we face many IRRITATIONS and FRUSTRATIONS. These obstacles are opportunities to release miracles. Goliath was David's opportunity to arise.

IRRITATION: THERE IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM BEFORE THE PROMISE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) ON THE WORLD WIDE AVERAGE WHAT IS THE DEADLIEST ANIMAL IN THE WORLD? LIONS kill on the average of 200 people annually. HIPPOS on average kill 500. ELEPHANTS kill ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:7, 1 Samuel 1:7, 1 Samuel 17:7-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Are You A Laborer?

Contributed by Daniel Cruz on May 20, 2015

Laboring connects us to our purpose, we are expected to labor in the kingdom

ARE YOU A LABORER? (What every Christian must know) By Pastor Daniel Preached Sunday May 17th 2015 Let me begin today by saying Jesus was a laborer Laboring is not just a means by which we receive wages as a compensation for our labor But laboring is also a powerful connector to purpose. When ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dealing With Perfection (Itus)

Contributed by Randy Croft on Nov 15, 2002

Does God expect to much...do we?

Dealing with Perfectionitus by Randy Croft How many of you like to make mistakes? When you mess up a recipe or business transaction, are you harder on yourself than you should be? Do you allow yourself to make mistakes? In some areas of our world, we must have 100% perfection. 99.9% ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do You Wish To Be Well?

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Jesus expects us to exercize our faith.

Do You Wish to be Well? John 5:1-10 After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [2] Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. [3] In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist