Sermons on Lack Of Expectations:

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

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

The Tools Of Pentecost

Contributed by Scott Jensen on May 15, 2008

A sermon based on the Pentecost story. God grabs our attention, gives us tools to get something done, then expects us to do it.

The Tools of Pentecost Acts 2:1-4 Introduction The popular Christian author, J.S. Baxter, once said “What God chooses, He cleanses. What God cleanses, He molds. What God molds, He fills. What God fills, He uses.” (J.S. Baxter, http://elbourne.org/sermons/index.mv?illustration+2793) Today’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Casual Christians Will Become Casualties

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 25, 2023

Barna research contrasted captive & casual believers, which we can see in Abraham & Lot. We'll see how their faith, or lack of it, guided their choices, and see the outcome of their choices.

CASUAL CHRISTIANS WILL BECOME CASUALTIES Gen. 13:1-18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: BAD-MOUTHING TO THE WRONG PERSON. An elderly woman came into church. An usher asked her where she’d like to sit. She said, “I’d like to sit down front.” The usher said, “No, you don’t want to sit down there; our pastor is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Looking To 2011

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Dec 23, 2010

As we approach the New Year, are there things that you are willing to change? You cannot do the same things, the same way, and expect things to change.

Looking to 2011 Matthew 14:22-14:32 Wow! Where did this Christmas go? Most people are done opening presents and most will get back to normal routine. Unless… you are like the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-32

Denomination: Nazarene

April: My Month Of Supernatural Lifting

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 28, 2025

Supernatural lifting is a divine promotion that comes from God and not from human effort. In this month of April, May God lift you beyond your expectations!

APRIL: MY MONTH OF SUPERNATURAL LIFTING By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 75:6-7 Supporting Texts: Isaiah 40:31, 1 Samuel 2:8, Genesis 41:38-44, Daniel 2:21, Proverbs 4:18 INTRODUCTION Supernatural lifting is a divine promotion that comes from God and not from human effort. It is when God ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 75:6-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

At One Time We Were Foolish Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 7, 2011

1- We were once slaves to sin but now we are saved 2- We were once lacking mercy but now we are recipients 3- We were once ignorant of grace but now we are heirs

INTRO. - At one time we were foolish. We all have a past. And sometimes our past is not the best. Haven’t we all done some foolish things? ILL.- The running of the bulls. Did you ever want to run with the bulls in PAMPLONA, Spain? Thousands of daredevils dashed through the narrow streets of ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Look Back

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 30, 2012

Three men each making a statement regarding his commitment or lack of commitment to following Christ. Each wanted to follow Christ; none wanted to stop looking back. Their commitment can be described as limited, delayed, and insincere.

Don’t Look Back Luke 9:57-62 Would you consider yourself a committed Christian? Realistically, are you a disciple of Christ or merely a follower of Christ? There is a difference. Three men each making a statement regarding his commitment or should I say lack of commitment to following ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

#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

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2003

People expect only the ceremonial from the church. But God wants to give us a rich, varied, and outward-reaching life.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The End Of Time

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 19, 2003

The book of Daniel contaians many prophesies. Concerning the end of time Daniel tell us to expect: Resurrection, Retribution, and Reward!

The End Of Time Scott R Bayles, preacher I’m sure several people here this morning have seen the bumper stickers, "In case of rapture this car will be unmanned," or some else like that. While such statements are intended to be funny to some, there are confusing to others. Many people have read the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian Church

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

Christian Adversity

Contributed by Orvel Barker on Aug 2, 2003

Adversity is to be expected in the life of a Christian, but how we handle adversity will determine it’s effect and outcome in our life.

Intro: Paul’s main emphasis here seems to be that God has opened a door for effective ministry and that he has faced much opposition. Opposition was not new to Paul neither is it uncommon for any believer, for the Bible tells us that we have an adversary the devil, who goes about as a roaring ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

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