Sermons on shattered expectations:

Elijah - Unrealistic Expectations Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 14, 2018

God’s grace is spectacular… even when it isn’t

ENGAGE Fourteen years ago I was a struggling bi-vocational church planter. Because our church plant had gone through some tough times, we were meeting at our house over the summer and praying for God’s direction. During that time I got a phone call from Denny Howard, who was the pastor here at ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Expecting God?

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Nov 26, 2018

A prelude message to Christmas 2018 challenging us all to look ahead willingly, expectantly, at what God might do this holiday season.

- In the coming weeks, Pastor Joey will be preaching about Christmas -- So, this message is not specifically on Christmas – rather, it’s one of preparation -- It is a message of expectation – prayerfully it’s one of faith in action -- Big Idea (up front): As you sit here today … are you expecting ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-26, Matthew 25:45, Matthew 18:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

At The Intersection Of Expectation And Disappointment

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2019

John was disillusioned when he questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah. Studying this incident will assist us to avoid becoming disillusioned in Christ.

“When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Not What We Expected

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 9, 2018

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ is nothing new. The first 12 pastors were instructed how to deal with it. Think long and hard how you respond to the message of the Good News as there are consequences depending on your reaction.

Not What We Expected Mark 6:1-13 Jesus said that; ““A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4 Sometimes people think they know you. They think they know your family and your family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, James 5:13-16, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Be A Christian - Expect Trouble

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 11, 2016

As a Christian Jesus encourages us to see that we should expect trouble...but fortunately our life is neither shaped by trouble or stopped by trouble.

When you sense difficulties how do you react? When you sense problems what is your response? Maybe you are like this bloke Jeff was happily carrying a box of photocopier paper through the office, when out of no where jumped his friend Fred scaring him Instantly Jeff jumped The box of paper went ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Lowered Expectations Of Jesus

Contributed by Aaron Holbrough on Feb 12, 2013

Some of us have to lower our expectations in order to find what we are looking for, others of us need to change them completely

Most of us have high expectations of Jesus, but Mark chapter 2 records a story of a man who has lowered expectations….literally. One thing we quickly learn is that Jesus doesn’t care to meet expectations, only needs. It a ridiculous account of a guy who is carried by four of his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-30

Denomination: Mennonite

Victims Of Unrisen Expectations

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 14, 2010

We fail to experience a vital faith because we do not expect anything new, we operate out of preconceived notions, or we wait for authority figures to validate us.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC, March 5, 1989 Anyone who works in an office or who has had to do either writing or typing knows that you do not proofread your own work. You just do not proofread your own work. Why not? Because the tendency is to see what we want to see, and what we ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-52

Denomination: Baptist

Expecting The Unexpected (Funeral)

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 12, 2017

Funeral for middle aged Christian lady who died unexpectedly.

Song – Glory for Me – Family Enters Song – Lamb of God Romans 8.26-30 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Of Divine Expectation

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Jan 5, 2020

If God must intervene in our situations, then, we must be expectant. Raise your expectation this Year.

THE POWER OF DIVINE EXPECTATION "25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:25-29, Proverbs 23:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expect Persecution, Not Prosperity

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 13, 2022

You will be confused and doubting God when things fall apart if you are awaiting a golden age when God has promised persecution.

2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yea, and all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13, John 15:18-20, 1 Peter 4:12-19, Philippians 1:29-30

Denomination: Baptist

Keys To Greater Expectations Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jan 9, 2022

Nothing provokes the blessings of God than "fear of God and walks in His ways".

OASIS POTTERLIGHT CHAPEL INTERNATIONAL OCCASION: Sunday Service, Sermon THEME: My Year Of Greater Expectations SUBJECT: Keys To Greater Expectations PREACHER: Rev. (Prophet) Rudolf E. Y. Mensah DATE: Sunday, January 9th, 2022 TEXT: Psalm 128:1-6, NIV: "...Blessed are all who fear the LORD, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6, John 14:21, Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Charismatic

Living With Great Expectations Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Aug 1, 2022

We can expect… 1) An inheritance 2) God’s power to protect us 3) Troubles to strengthen our faith 4) The salvation of our souls

Living With Great Expectations Living-Hope – week 2 Bumper LAST WEEK – we began a study on 1 Peter a 2000 year old letter full of God breathed words… LISTEN – if your hope is running on empty. If you think your story is finished. Peter has a word for you about a living-hope. A sure anchor in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Not What I Expected

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 31, 2023

Are we demanding signs? Do we allow fleshly, carnal desires to define our expectations. Do I focus on external materialism to define what I am expecting? Do we desire spiritual healthy expectations?

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) EXPECT: eager anticipation, probable to occur, to wait on something, think or believe that something is going to happen, anticipate, look forward, to hope, requires faith. WANT: to desire, wish ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:22, Mark 8:11-12, 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

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