Sermons on High Expectations:

Expectations And Let-Downs At Christmas Time

Contributed by Don Schultz on Dec 8, 2004

John the Baptist wasn’t sure if Jesus was the one he was to be expecting. Sometimes, our expectations don’t come true either, especially at Christmas.

Matthew 11:1-11: GREAT EXPECTATIONS, AND RECOGNIZING THE MIRACULOUS “Why do I feel depressed right now, when I’m supposed to feel happy?” “Why do I feel frustrated right now, when I’m supposed to feel joyful?” “This isn’t the way it was supposed to be. This isn’t what I was expecting.” What ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

What To Expect And Why

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2003

This sermon examines the Psalmists’ expectations about life as recorded in Psalm 23. Because of the character of our God we should not be dreading tomorrow but anticipating it with great hope.

What to Expect and Why Psalm 23 5-26-02 Intro: Begin by Asking you to consider a QUESTION What do you anticipate happening in Your Life in the Future? What do you see coming your way in the days ahead? 1. We Live in a World that is Constantly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Psalm 37:25

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Expanding Your Expectations

Contributed by Michael Bridge on Jun 4, 2003

I want to challenge you to expand your expectations in three areas. 1. What church is all about. 2. What God can do through you. 3. What Grace is all about.

Expanding our Expectations And pursue those expectations with anticipation Psalms 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Ephesians 3: 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

What Are Your Expectations?

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Jan 23, 2001

The difference between a good meal and a great meal depends on your hunger, and so it is with your appetite for God.

The difference between a good meal and a great meal depends on how hungry you are when you sit down to eat. The difference between a good church and a great church depends also on the level of your hunger. So how hungry are you? What are your expectations? The Gospel of Mark opens with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Greatly Limited Expectations

Contributed by Charles Trout on Mar 23, 2001

Is it possible to limit the blessings of God? I am glad that God does not bless us according to our expectations!

Greatly Limited Expectations Acts 3:1-8 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Grape Expectations (2) Series

Contributed by James Westervelt on Apr 17, 2002

In order to have a maximum yield, grape vines need lots of sunlight, just the right amount of rain, and pruning at the right time....Since chastening and pruning are both painful, how can we distinguish between them?

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS part 2 Last week we started learning about the "cultivation of grapes." In order to have a maximum yield, grape vines need lots of sunlight, just the right amount of rain, and pruning at the right time. If a branch is bearing no fruit, the vinedresser picks ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7-14, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Christmas: Unfulfilled Expectations?" Series

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Dec 24, 2001

Christmas Eve parable/sermon about a Bethlehem seamstress.

 “She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.” Luke 2:7 When it came to clothe Rachel was a way better than average weaver; and everyone in town knew it. She was the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: *other

'tis The Season To Be Expectant Series

Contributed by Alan Braun on Mar 22, 2002

A new look at the Christmas Season

Matthew 4:18 - 22 Intro: 6 - ’Tis The Season To Be Extravagant To Love Him with all of our being! 13 - ’Tis The Season To Be Confident To Know He is there no matter what! 20 - ’Tis The Season To Be Jubilant (Part 3 of 4) To Trust in Him alone for our Joy! 27 - ’Tis The Season To ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting To Receive Something

Contributed by Sonny Thomas, Sr. on Jul 21, 2003

If your life is walked in obedience to God, you can expect great and marvelous events to unfold.

What are your expectations in life? How do you reach the place in your walk that God desires you to be? Would it surprise you to know that obedience is the key? Today, I want us to look at a text in the Bible where without obedience, the power of the Gospel would not have been manifested, a man ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Expecting?

Contributed by Michael Dugal on Jul 20, 2003

Psalm 121 provides us a glimpse of a faithful God as we bring our prayers before him.

PSALM 121 WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING? Introduction: Madtes – confusion, whose prayer Caley – prayer’s privilege, power & promise “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” 2 Chron 20:12 What are you expecting when ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expecting Prayer Answers Series

Contributed by Tom Boerma on Jan 7, 2004

Expecting God’s answers to prayer

We are to be in a continual spirit of prayer. Time of prayer does not make a prayer more apt to be heard. Ps. 4 was a prayer in the evening. Notice the spirit of the Psalmist as he prepared for sleep. V 4,7,8 Psalms 5 was a morning prayer. Notice the purpose of his mind in preparing for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-3

Denomination: Baptist