Sermons on Lack Of Expectations:

Receiving God’s Grace

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 3, 2022

There are many believers who know about grace in their mind, but they haven’t taken it to heart. God loves us for who we are, and we do not have to perform for Him or try to be perfect. All the Lord expects is that we simply be His.

Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (Jn 8:36 NASB); but how many Christians are actually living as though they’re free? Some portray the look of a death row inmate awaiting the day of execution! There are believers living with regret over past mistakes and sins, and ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Last Days

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 24, 2020

Only someone who is completely out of touch with reality would dispute the fact that we are living in the last days. The question is... What is the church going to look like in the last days? What can we expect to see through the church?

The Holy Spirit witnesses to us concerning the last days, and he tells us what to expect. He tells us the attitude and the spirit that will prevail in the hearts of the wicked. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ) KJV “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Wants You To Know!

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Nov 21, 2018

While many poeple may feel uncertain of what will happen to them when their life comes to an end, God wants us to know exactly what to expect. These words from 1 Thessalonians bring confidence and comfort to the Christian in the face of death.

“I don’t know.” Those can be some of the most difficult words for us to say. To say, “I don’t know” is to admit that we don’t have all the answers. And we like to have answers because it makes us feel more in control, more secure, more prepared. That’s probably one of the reasons that doctors ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Lutheran

Ask And You Shall Receive Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 5, 2024

Jesus tells us how to pray in a way that leads to receiving an answer. We will learn that when we pray according to God’s will, that He hears and answers; but it might not be what we expect. However, it will be exactly what we need.

This morning, we are going to look at what Jesus has to say about how to pray in a way that leads to receiving an answer. In his song “Good, Good Father,” Chris Tomlin says, “I’ve seen many searching for answers far and wide, but I know we’re all searching for answers only You provide. ‘Cause You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Tripping On Jesus (Luke 7:17-35) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 7, 2024

In one key way, Jesus isn't the Messiah people (including John) expected. Are we ok that this piece is missing, or does it make us trip on the idea that Jesus is Messiah, and thus trip on God? A narrative/literary approach to Luke.

Today, I'm going to try to tackle a few interconnected episodes. It's kind of a lot, but this whole section teaches one main thing, and if we want to hear that one thing, we need to grab it all at once. The simplest onramp to today's verses is to begin, simply, by rereading last ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 7:11-35

Abraham's Hope, Perfected In God

Contributed by David Tack on Apr 3, 2024

How is a lost person, being dead in sin, to cross over into a state of being made alive? By embracing Abraham's mind set, found in Romans 4:18.... transitioning from a SELF-hope [impossibility] to a GOD-hope [expectation]!

OUR TEXT Abraham’s Hope in God, Perfected in God Romans 4: 18, 20-22. [Abraham] (18) Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken [Gen 15], So shall thy seed [offspring] be…. Picking up in vs (20) He staggered not at the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:21-25, Romans 5:8, Galatians 3:13-14, Colossians 2:13-14, Titus 2:13, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Shall I Repay? Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Sep 9, 2022

The experiences of the present, the experiences of the past, and the expectations of the future. That is, “He listens to me (Psalm 116:1-2), he listened to me (Psalm 116:3-12), and he will listen to me (Psalm 116:13-19).” Leads to Repay.

Theme: What Shall I Repay? Text: Psalm 116 "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!"(Psalm 107:1) Introduction: The key verse of this psalm is our theme: “What shall I repay” or offer or render or return or give to the Lord? Psalmists had ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Welcome The King Of Glory!

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Nov 17, 2025

As we begin another Advent season let’s turn our thoughts to a portion of God’s Word that will guide us in our preparation for Christmas. Psalm 24 will also provide us with correct expectations for our celebration of Jesus’ birth.

Preparation. Expectation. From today until the “big day” in December those are the two things most of us will be experiencing. If we are adults, we will probably put some time into preparing for Christmas. Maybe we have already invested a few hours in the upcoming holiday. Many of us did that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Simple Prayer SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 11, 2023

Prayer is a simple yet powerful tool for Christians. It is a conversation with God, where we direct our requests to Him and expect answers. Jesus taught us this in Matthew 6:5-13. Embrace the power of prayer and witness the changes it can bring.

Prayer is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate with God. It is a way for us to talk to Him, share our needs, and expect Him to answer. Prayer is the cornerstone of our faith and holds our families and society together. In today's world, prayer has taken a backseat to secular living and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Topics: Prayer, Christian Life

Entering A New Season

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Sep 2, 2012

As time goes by, we continue to face new seasons of life. These new seasons can be scary for us as we have to deal with things that are different than before. What can we expect as we enter these new seasons of life and how can we persevere through them

A New Season Entering a New Season means accepting Changes Entering a New Season Brings Challenges Entering a New Season Births Champions Slide 1 Man, does time seem to go by fast! As you know, last week I celebrated 23 years of marriage to Laura. I can’t believe it has been that long or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sermon # 36 - Learning To Forgive Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 20, 2024

Jonah was happy to receive God’s forgiveness for his disobedience, but was unhappy when God did the same for the people of Nineveh who repented of their sins. Jesus paid with his life for our forgiveness, and God expects us to extend this same forgiveness to those who wrong us in any way.

For our meditation we will study Jonah 4:1, “Jonah was very unhappy about this and became angry.” (GNB) When the prophet Jonah preached to the people in the city of Nineveh, they took his words seriously, repented, and had a change of heart. God relented from punishing the people of Nineveh, and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1, Jonah 2:1-2, Jonah 2:6, Romans 5:6, Romans 5:9, Matthew 6:12, Matthew 18:21-22, Matthew 18:23-28, Matthew 18:32-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Prayer 101 Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 8, 2013

In Mark 1 Jesus gives us a critical lesson on the timing, manner and necessity of prayer. In it, He shows us the: Preparation by Prayer (Mark 1:35) 2) Expectations through Prayer (Mark 1:36-37), 3) Actions from Prayer (Mark 1:38-39)

In the ongoing roller coaster called Blackberry, sources familiar with the company announced this week that BlackBerry board hopes to run a “fast” auction process that could result in a sale of the company by November. Analysts have noted problems with product releases, lackluster ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Other

When Peace Rules The Day Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 19, 2019

Jesus gave his disciples 3 things that day that created peace for men without peace. What did the disciples learn that day that can help us gain Christ's peace?

OPEN: Dr. Don Colbert wrote a book called “Stress Less” and noted that 75 to 90 % of all visits to a primary care physicians were stress related. Americans (he said) consume five billion tranquilizers, five billion barbiturates, three billion amphetamines, and sixteen tons of aspirin every year. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rise And Rebuild Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 4, 2013

We may have no walls to repair, yet many of us have faced the challenge of restoring a ruined life. Whatever we may encounter, we can find in Nehemiah’s quest the confidence to handle adversity with grace. We can expect God to act--to be present when tr

In the Army, we say that there are 3 kinds of people… -Those who make things happen; -Those who watch things happen; -Those who wonder, “What happened?” Nehemiah was a leader who--by God’s grace--made things happen. We may have no walls to repair, yet many of us have faced ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: Congregational

Finding Deliverance

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 10, 2001

1. Christ’s work of deliverance can only be done out of an abiding relationship with him. 2. Whenever Christ comes to do his work, he is never in a hurry. 3. Whenever Christ comes to us, he expects to find faith.

The story we have read in the ninth chapter of Mark is a fascinating account of a young man being delivered from the forces of evil. He has suffered from this since childhood. When his father brought him to the disciples, they prayed over him, expecting that he would be delivered. After all, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Methodist