Sermons on modern expectations:

Christmas Expectations Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

There is no other holiday like Christmas, where expectation is so much a part of it's celebration. We look forward to Christmas, longer, and with greater anticipation, then all other holidays combined.

Henry McCushy, of the Texas Employment Commission, said they had a hard time getting men to be department store Santa Clauses, one year. The reason was, the high percentage of children who were kicking Santa in the shins for not coming through the year before. They expected Santa to live up to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-32

Great Expectations

Contributed by Bobby Brewer on Jun 27, 2021

Having warned the elders of the Ephesian church about false teachers Paul also provides some final words of encouragement not the least of which is our everlasting inheritance.

OLActs20-Great Expectations Series: Acts: We’re on a Mission from God Message: Great Expectations Text: Acts 20:32-38 Date: June 27, 2021 Big Idea: The Bible talks about there being an inheritance for believers but what exactly does that mean? It was Dr. Seuss who said, “Don’t cry because it’s ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:30-38, Ephesians 1:11, Matthew 25:14-30

Expecting Miracles

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 8, 2023

We are not unsuspecting people who came to Jerusalem and walked into a miracle. We are already part of an ongoing miracle - and don’t want to miss a minute of it!

Three times a year, every Jewish man was supposed to come to Jerusalem to give thanks. Their Thanksgiving, like ours, was in the fall. They called it the Feast of Tabernacles, or Booths, though, because people built temporary shelters out in the fields to sleep in overnight, that is if they slept ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21, Ezekiel 37:10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Expect Opposition Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Apr 16, 2024

Based on 2 Kings 18:13 & other Scriptures - Reminds hearers that those who live for the Lord & serve Him can expect opposition & should take it to the Lord.

“EXPECT OPPOSITION” 2 Kings 18:13 FBCF – 4/14/24 Jon Daniels INTRO – Isaac Watts – pastor, theologian in 1700’s. Also hymnwriter – wrote 750 hymns including “Joy to the World”, “O God Our Help in Ages Past, our hope for years to come,” & “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Ian Bennett shared ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:13

Denomination: Baptist

Reasonable Expectations

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 25, 2022

Life has become very frustrating for many professing Christians, primarily because their EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT REASONABLE.

Illus: Reaching the end of a job interview, the Technical Recruiter asked a young Engineer fresh out of college, "And what starting salary were you looking for?" The Engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The recruiter ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting God Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 10, 2022

Many people have expectations of what God can do for them. But that's not how it works. We were saved to do things for Him. Why?

I’ve been told that when people come to God –– they have certain expectations. They have certain opinions of what they think God should DO for them. They visualize a God who is going to do what they want done. ILLUS: A woman named Donna had a conversation with her 4 year old niece. The little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 6, 2023

Life is unpredictable, so expect to be surprised.

A few years ago (2017), authorities apprehended a group of Minnesota teens for attempting to steal a cake from a local grocery store. The teens were embarrassed, but even more so when they discovered the cake was fake—it was a cardboard display cake. The grocery store owner decided not to press ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Exceeding Expectations Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Jun 16, 2023

Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. This means that He wants us to exceed the spiritual expectations prescribed by the Law; as we are to strive for excellence in our walk with God.

I have entitled our message, “Exceeding Expectations,” and I want to begin by sharing a true story. A contractor in Mexico was hired to build a Catholic Church, but he used cheap materials in order to make more money. He reasoned that the quality of the materials did not matter, so long as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-22

Denomination: Baptist

Great Expectations

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 23, 2023

John the Baptist's followers struggle with changing their allegiance to Jesus.

Zach was tired. He had been coming down to Tiberias every week for almost two months, bringing news and food to John in prison, and it looked like he’d probably be doing it for the rest of the year. Nothing had changed. After Herod arrested John for publicly accusing him of incest and adultery, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Expectations Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 9, 2023

We should not miss the Truth that Jesus has expectations of us as His disciples.

JUST JESUS: CHAPTER BY CHAPTER THRU LUKE Expectations of Jesus Luke 9:57-62 #JustJesus INTRODUCTION… THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT DO HALF-WAY (P) There are some things in life that we should never do halfway. Most things in life we should give our best effort, persevere, and see to completion. * Giving ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Kingdom Of Expectations Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of the 'kingdom of expectations', emphasizing how our preconceived notions can prevent us from recognizing and accepting Jesus as our savior.

Welcome back church! I’m excited you’re here as we continue on in our 2-part series, King of all kingdoms. Last week we looked at John 18:28-39 and the collision that the Kingdom of God had with the kingdom of culture. This week we’ll be focusing way in on one verse from that longer passage that ...read more

Scripture: John 18:36

Topics: Kingdom Expectations, Savior Embrace, Divine Grace

Sermon Series: King Of All Kingdoms

Kingdom Of Expectations Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Embrace Jesus as our Savior, even when He doesn't fit our expectations.

Today, we're going to talk about something we all deal with - expectations. That refers to those things we think should happen or how things should be. Sometimes, our expectations can get in the way of seeing the real deal. So, let's dive into this idea and see how it connects to Jesus and our ...read more

Scripture: John 18:36

Topics: Divine Recognition, Expectation Vs Reality, Jesus' Identity, Spiritual Perception

An Expected End PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we can't see it, because He has a purpose for us and can do the impossible.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into one of the most comforting and inspiring verses in the bible - Jeremiah 29:11. It tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Topics: God's Control

Expected Things PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 30, 2023

This sermon encourages us to maintain unwavering hope in God's promises, recognize His unseen beauty, and hold onto our expectations even in times of adversity.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to gather together, to share in the warmth of fellowship and the light of God's Word. We are, each one of us, like travelers on a road, not always certain of the destination, but confident in the One who guides us. It's a road that stretches out before us, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-4

Topics: Hope

Expectations Of More PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 5, 2024

This sermon encourages believers to trust in God's triumph, treasure heavenly things, and transcend worldly desires by living with an eternal perspective.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a joy to gather together today, unified in our faith, bound by love, and ready to receive from our generous God. As we gather here, let's remember that our faith is not a stagnant pond, but a living, rushing river, always moving, always alive, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Topics: Trusting God