Sermons on Lack Of Expectations:

Surprising The World Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon introduction discusses the anxiety some people feel towards evangelism, questioning if faith-sharing should be anxiety-inducing, and referencing Michael Frost's book "Surprise the World" which suggests that not everyone should be expected to evangelize in the same way.

Why does the word ‘evangelism’ cause some people so much anxiety? Do you get images of door-knocking or approaching strangers in shopping malls? Does it make you feel like you’re being turned into a reluctant recruitment officer for the church? Should faith-sharing really be anxiety producing? In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Evangelism, Faith-Sharing, Anxiety

Sermon Series: Surprise The World

Preparation

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 4, 2018

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6.

What does building a highway have to do with preparation for celebrating Christ’s first coming? What does it have to do with preparing for Christ’s Second Coming? Let’s understand the preparation Christ expects. Let’s discuss preparing the way for Christ in Luke 3:1-6. Caesar Luke 3:1 “Now in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Doubt

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 1, 2012

No matter the doubt you are dealing with, God understands the doubts. You cannot leave it alone. I challenge you today to expect doubt. I challenge you today to attack doubt at the source. I challenge you to look at the evidence. All three of these v

DEALING WITH DOUBT LUKE 7:18-35 INTRODUCTION… Story of Doubt The little boy cried out over and over, “Mom where are you?!” He was walking back and forth in the front of the store. People with shopping carts full of milk, bread, fruit, and other household items rattled past the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sheep Among Wolves – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 17, 2006

Have you ever looked at the road ahead of you and thought, “I’m not so sure I want to do this”? Ever faced something you knew was going to be harder than anything you had attempted in quite a long while and expected that you wouldn’t make it? Have you bee

These are some of the statements I found in a few of the recent “Help Wanted” ads on a local website. There is a lot of diversity in this position for someone who wishes to gain experience in a variety of different areas. We offer a small company environment, with significant learning ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Series: Limiting The Holy One Of Israel (Part 2: Jesus Could Do Not Much Miracles In His Own Hometown Except... Why?)

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Jesus, the local boy, leaves town and makes it big in the world - and returns with great following. He has shaken the religious establishment, nation & Roman world. You would expect his own to applaud him & see God's work displayed through Him. But no - He does few miracles. Why?

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 2) JESUS COULD DO NOT MUCH MIRACLES IN HIS OWN HOMETOWN EXCEPT... 1. Mark 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

To Magnify God-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jul 21, 2025

6 of 6. David was a recipient of YHWH-God’s protection(deliverance/rescue), & so David magnified Him. God’s people magnify God. But, When or How do I/you/we truly magnify God? To Magnify God In Your Life, God must be...

To MAGNIFY GOD-VI—Psalm 34:8-10(:1-10) [VBS Theme—‘Magnified’—Psalm 34:3] Attention: Suppose a young boy is accosted by neighborhood bullies in his own front yard. From inside the house, Dad observes what is happening. He opens the front door & comes outside to encourage & support his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:8-10, Psalm 34:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Using What God Has Given Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 26, 2003

God gives each of special abilities and expects us to be faithful in using what we’ve been given. Instead of “hiding” our gifts we’re to invest them in kingdom service. There’s no getting around the fact that we are responsible for what we’ve been given

Using What God Has Given A man from out east had always dreamed of owning a cattle ranch and had finally saved enough money to buy his dream spread in Wyoming. His best friend flew out to visit and asked, “So, what’s the name of your ranch?” His buddy told him that he had a really hard time ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, Matthew 25:14-25, Romans 12:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 9, 2022

In this account, Jesus’ disciples neither totally believed nor totally disbelieved His power to rescue them. We can’t ride the fence. We must keep our eyes fixed only on Jesus before we can expect to see Him work in our life.

Os Guinness tells us in his book In Two Minds, “To believe is to be ‘in one mind’ about accepting something as true; to disbelieve is to be ‘in one mind’ about rejecting it. To doubt is to waver between the two, to believe and disbelieve at once and so be ‘in two minds’.”(1) This morning we are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

Title: The Power Of Gratitude: Remembering To Say Thank You

Contributed by Don Aldrich Tamayo on Jun 25, 2023

Have you ever noticed how saying "thank you" doesn't always come naturally? We see this even in young children who often expect things without appreciating them. As adults, we might struggle with expressing gratitude, especially when it comes to thanking the Lord.

------ OUTLINE ------- Introduction: Hey there, friends! Have you ever noticed how saying "thank you" doesn't always come naturally? We see this even in young children who often expect things without appreciating them. As adults, we might struggle with expressing gratitude, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17, Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

For Jesus' Love 8 Leadership Traits

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Aug 15, 2017

Healing the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captive is a Jesus-effect to bind in the lives of the anointed believers and followers of christ.

FOR JESUS’ LOVE 8 Leadership Traits By Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (August 2, 2017) “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Denomination: Friends

Becoming God's Chosen--Messenger Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Jul 27, 2002

This week we will see things that God expects of all who serve him. First we must become shepherds or wise stewards, second we must seek God’s direction, and third we must be willing to Go for God.

Preparing God’s Chosen Becoming a Wise Shepherd Seeing Miracles and Receiving Direction Go DBF Sunday Sermon, 7/28/02 We go through so many things every day that seem to weary us. I was asked to go Caribou hunting yesterday morning. We backed the boat into the Wood River at about 10 in the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Thorn In The Flesh

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Dec 8, 2005

Some people become defined by their hardships while others rise above their pain. We may suffer broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations, but we don’t have to become broken people. Pain is inevitable--misery is optional.

No one knows for certain about the nature of Paul’s thorn, and there has been extensive speculation about the nature of his affliction. Explanations range from persistent temptation, dogged persecution, chronic malaria, migraine headaches, epilepsy, or a speech disorder. Because Paul dictated his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Congregational

Lets Just Praise Him!

Contributed by Wm. Darryl Scott Sr D.d. on Dec 30, 2002

There are some real reasons for our praise, that go beyond outside appearances, or simply because someone else suggest that we out to praise him. Praise is not only expected, but it is not acceptable until it is sincere! Do you have any reason to praise

Lets Just Praise Him! PSALMS 103:1 PREACHED BY REV. W. D. SCOTT, SR. @ Pleasant Grove Baptist Church HELLO, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST! HAVE YOU COME ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1

Denomination: Baptist

Summer Disappointments

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 24, 2008

When we feel disappointment in life, we blame our own expectations, we blame those who love us, and ultimately we blame God. Repentance and acceptance of grace takes us away from self and toward contentment.

Those of you who attempt to grow gardens know that it takes infinite patience and infinite hope to be a gardener. It takes infinite patience because it can be a great deal of work and a lot of expense and much waiting to get any kind of results. Incidentally, I dispute the notion that you can ...read more

Scripture: Micah 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Possible

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Sep 27, 2006

We need an expanded program. We have to pay an expected price. There’s an explicit promise. It’s for an exalted purpose. How to see God’s explosive power! Link included to formatted text version and PowerPoint.

Mission Possible John 14:12 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MissionPossible.html You read this verse and it looks like Mission Impossible! [theme music] Good morning, Mr. Phelps!…your mission, should you choose to accept it… Just before Jesus returned to heaven He charged us to do something which ...read more

Scripture: John 14:12

Denomination: Baptist