Sermons on not what you expected:

Not What You Expected

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 7, 2015

Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. There were some things that happened on that first Christmas that were quite unexpected.

NOT WHAT YOU EXPECTED Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. On the flip side have you ever expected a certain gift or visit from someone and ended up being disappointed? I was looking at this online ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Jesus What You Expected?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 20, 2019

Jesus' sermon in his hometown synagogue might not have gone as you would expect. But Jesus shows us that his Word is sometimes welcomed, other times rejected, but ALWAYS powerful.

Expectations. “Do you really think that we’re going to get all that snow that they say we’re supposed to get?” “Have you heard about the frigid temperatures that are predicted?” “Do you think that they’ll cancel school?” The expectations, the anticipation and the excitement was hard to escape. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:20-32

Denomination: Lutheran

What Do You Expect From Jesus? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 6, 2009

Have you ever stopped to consider what you expect from Him? A helper, a rescuer from your troubles, a self-help guru, someone that thinks like you? In this chapter Jesus punctures the expectations of others and ask that you really listen to Him.

What do you expect from Jesus? It’s a natural question. If you ask you’ll probably get answers like: • I expect Jesus to get me out of my tough situations • I expect Jesus to give me good advice on how to live my life • I expect Jesus to tell me what I need to do to get to earn my way to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

What Did You Expect?

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Sep 10, 2011

Are you expecting today? Are you anticipating something from the Lord? If you are expecting something – you will receive it. But if you are expecting nothing…. You will receive it! If you expect something today – I hope that your expectation comes fr

Psalm 62:5-7 “[5] My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation [is] from Him. [6] He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [He is] my defense; I shall not be moved. [7] In God [is] my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, [And] my refuge, [is] in God”. [NKJV] Are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-7

Expectations & Evidence

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 16, 2023

Yeshua was saying, “Don’t be upset because I’m not what you expected. You’ve got my credentials. Now trust me for the rest of it.”

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

What Do You Expect

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on May 5, 2025

Expectation is the active ingredient of faith that is deposited into the heart when the word of God is heard and believed. There is no such thing as a living faith without expectation.

Numbers 13:1-3 KJV And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [2] Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. [3] And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-3, Numbers 13:17-21, Proverbs 10:24

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Were You Expecting?

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Feb 22, 2007

We Need to Expect God everywhere

Title: What were you expecting? Text: Luke 1.5-25 MP: We need to expect God everywhere. Intro: Sadly, I just couldn’t find this story on the Internet, but I remember one of those “human interest” news stories from a few years back. It seems that a tourist from somewhere in Eastern Europe had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Not What They Expected Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

How much do you remember about John the Baptist? Camel hair clothing, locust diet, or loaner lifestyle? While those are memorable, John is arguably one of the most significant people in Jesus’ life and ministry. See how the unexpected surrounded John's birth.

While at the children’s hospital this summer in California, my wife Nikky and I were sitting in the atrium to the main entrance one day when I noticed a man in a black suit and an ear piece walking around. He was looking all over the place and talking to people. As I watched him I leaned over to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:57-66, Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Lutheran

What God Expects Of You

Contributed by Royce Hendry on Dec 30, 2000

A stewardship sermon on what God expects of us.

Luke 19:11-27 WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF YOU INTRO: Little Cajun lady called the police with the complaint that a man next door was indecently exposing himself. Cops arrive. She brings them into her bathroom and said, "Would you look at that! A man indecently exposes himself." The officer looked out the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

What Did You Expect?

Contributed by John Beehler on Jul 1, 2003

Who do you see, a Messiah or a carpenter?

What Did You Expect? For most of us, the most powerful negative feeling we will ever experience is the feeling of rejection. People are rejected by their parents, children, spouses, co-workers, friends, peers, and even fellow church members! In our scripture for today, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"What Did You Expect?"

Contributed by Scott Nichols on Feb 19, 2011

The story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 is a powerful reminder that God is not limited by our expectations.

Naaman was past upset; past mad; past even furious - he was working on a complete emotional meltdown. Like a cartoon character - the steam seems to literally be pouring out of his ears. He stomps - he stammers - he shouts: "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What To Expect In 2013

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jan 3, 2013

If you desire to see a change in 2013, you have to be willing to make a change in 2013. You cannot expect to do the same old thing, the same old way , and expect to have a different out come.

What to expect for 2013? Introduction- Good morning everyone, I hope that you have survived the hectic time of present opening, over-eating, being sleep depraved, and sugar overload. All under the heading of Merry Christmas! Truth is when we do calm down, most of us are just plain exhausted ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-17

Denomination: Nazarene

Yes, It Can Get Worse Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 4, 2020

This is not what you expected, and this is not what we deserve, is it? Or is it not?

Yes, It Can Get Worse I know that many of you are very concerned about the coming congressional, senatorial and presidential elections. You have shared with me your troubled thoughts about a certain political party getting control of both Congress and the presidency. There are worries that the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 30:1-22, Amos 7:1-17

Denomination: Catholic

What Not To Expect Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

In our Christian walk we cannot expect an easy way, we cannot expect to be perfect nor can we expect to have all the answers but we can expect that our Lord will come again.

What Not To Expect Faith Expectations part 11 07/20/08 PM Text: Various [This lesson and this series are drawn from the writings of Tom Allen in his book “What to expect now that you believe.”] Faith Expectations This lesson is the last in the Faith Expectations series. The purpose of this series ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ