Sermons on Unjust Expectations:

Does God Have Our Best? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 15, 2023

This sermon emphasizes understanding God's expectations, striving for faithfulness over perfection, and recognizing the boundless nature of God's grace.

Good morning, everyone! I'm so glad to see each one of you here today. I'm excited because we're going to be talking about something that I believe is really important for all of us as followers of Christ. There's a quote from Philip Yancey that really struck me and I want to share it with you. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-10

Topics: Being The Best, Not Perfect

And Then Some!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

James Byrnes, Sec’y of State under FDR, said that the difference between successful people & average people can be summed up in 3 words, "and then some." He said, "Average people do what is expected. Successful people do what is expected, & then some."

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BROWNSVILLE, TX A. When we read the Bible, one of the things that has to impress us is that God is often calling upon His people to do things they normally couldn’t do by themselves, but that they can do with His help. God is always saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter Sunday 2020

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Apr 6, 2020

Maybe it has been a while since you’ve heard the Easter story. Why is this story so important? A discouraged group of women came with little hope and low expectations to honor a dead rabbi. This is how many of you feel today - no hope and very low expectations.

Easter Sunday 2020 What have we learned? 1. Church is more than a building. 2. Church is also not less than the gathering. 3. Our hope is certain. Maybe it has been a while since you’ve heard the Easter story. Why is this story so important? What difference does this story make in my life? What ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, Romans 8:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The King, The Temple, And The Tree - Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 15, 2025

The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is both pure and fruitful. JESUS enters as the rightful KING, calls His people to pure worship, and expects genuine faith that bears spiritual fruit.

2025.08.17. Sermon Notes. The KING, The Temple, and The Tree_Matthew 21.1-22 (Part 1) Welcoming the KING, Purifying the Heart, Bearing Fruit in Faith BIG IDEA: The KING has come - not to meet our shallow expectations, but to rule our hearts, cleanse our worship, and produce in us a faith that is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-22, Zechariah 9:9, Psalm 118:25-26, Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11, 2 Timothy 4:2-5, John 15:8, Galatians 5:22-23, James 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Mark 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Resolving Conflict Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 29, 2019

If you want to resolve your conflicts, expect tension at times so it doesn’t trip you up; express truth in love; but most importantly, exalt the Lord.

This last week I came across an old joke about a letter to a neighbor. It reads: Dear Frank. We've been neighbors for six tumultuous years. When you borrowed my tiller, you returned it in pieces. When I was sick, you blasted rap music. And when your dog went to the bathroom all over my lawn, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 22:1-34, James 1:20, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 2:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Fruitful Spirit Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Jul 27, 2007

When you see a Christian you expect them to be bearing fruit don’t you? You expect each believer to be winning souls for Christ and training others to serve Him right? Not so sure about that one, huh? The apostle Paul, as he is writing to the Roman Chr

A Fruitful Spirit “Where’s the beef?” Those of you old enough, do you remember that Wendy’s commercial with the little old lady asking “Where’s the beef?” barely tall enough to see over the counter? That commercial is a commentary on expectations. You go to a fast-food restaurant and they serve ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Answer To Prayer Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 19, 2008

God is not some kind of celestial slot machine. You don’t pop in a quarter or two’s worth of prayer, hit a button, and expect to receive exactly what you want. God is not a genie in a bottle. You don’t rub the bottle with your prayer, and expect God to

Introduction: A fifth grade boy who had heard a sermon on persistence in prayer was praying by himself in his room one night. As his dad passed his door, he heard the boy praying over and over again, "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." The next day, the dad asked his son what we were doing. The boy replied that ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joseph Experience – Changed, Blessed, And Wise 05 Series

Contributed by Christi Campione on Jan 26, 2025

Change brought Joseph up to a higher place and opened him up to receive wisdom and greater blessings. We can expect that change will do the same for us.

Download Sermon PDF for easy reading: https://myprayernotebook4life.wordpress.com/sermon-pdfs/ Password: SermonCentral Homework: Is anyone reading the chapters at home? Last week we talked about reading 1 Corinthian 2:1-5 in different translations. Did anyone do that this past week? Do you feel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44

More Than Hatch, Match, And Dispatch Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 20, 2003

People expect only the ceremonial from the church. But God wants to give us a rich, varied, and outward-reaching life.

Last week you seemed to get a big charge out of my little story about going to a wedding rehearsal and wasting time waiting for a key person to arrive. When I said that I didn’t know what we’d do on Sunday afternoon if he didn’t show up, you let out a belly laugh. You assumed I was talking about ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"A Life Well Lived” Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Aug 8, 2008

Live life with a readiness, an openness, and a willingness to preach the Word...when it’s expected and when it’s not.

OPEN YOUR BIBLES TO 1 John 3:1-3 & 2 TIM 4 1. I believe it is God’s will & His steadfast desire that every generation live with the urgent expectancy that Jesus can and will return at any moment. a. That our lives would be tempered & targeted toward holy living and righteous conduct. b. That our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Miracles

Contributed by Mark Holdcroft on Mar 9, 2007

Are healings and miracles just for the times of the Apostles, or can we expect to see them today? This sermon attempts to answer that question.

Miracles I have been asked to speak on the subject of miracles. This subject leaves me with a dilemma. It is not what to say that is the problem, but what to leave out. It is a very large topic. I have decided to split the topic into four different areas. Firstly, what are miracles and what ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take Heart! Take Courage!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 20, 2006

Sometimes we can get passive and expect blessings to be given to us. It is high to arise and TAKE WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS!

TAKE HEART! TAKE COURAGE By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr Kyfingers@aol.com I. WE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS WALK IN DEFEAT IF OUR OUT GOING IS MORE THAN OUR INCOMING! A. YOU CAN NOT ARISE IN PUBLIC BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE IN PRIVATE. Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

From A Mustard Seed

Contributed by William Mouser on Aug 2, 2006

On the occasion of a weekend conference for training men in worship, this sermon challenges the men to expect God’s blessing on their small beginning.

Psalm 92, Ezekiel 31:1-6,10-14, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, Mark 4:26-34 From a mustard seed One things that grabs the attention of St. Athanasius parishioners today is the presence of all these men in our fellowship for the Lord’s worship on the Sunday morning. To those of you here this morning from ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Remember The Poor

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 18, 2006

The poor have a special place in God’s heart, and God expects His people to remember and respond appropriately to the poor.

Introduction: A. As you know, I like the Peanuts cartoons. 1. In one cartoon, Lucy approaches Charlie Brown with a piece of paper and a pen, and says, “Here sign this. It absolves me from all blame.” 2. Then she goes to Shroeder with the same paper and says, “Here, sign this. It absolves me from ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Invisible Guest At Our Wedding" Series

Contributed by Ken Harris on Apr 22, 2007

The purpose of this sermon is to motivate the hearers to affirm to others that God expects believers NOT TO DEFRAUD (or cheat on)their spouses.

Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG) 22 April 2007 (Kenny Harris III’s Birthday) U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris Fort Ord Chapel Seaside, California BIG IDEA: God expects us to protect the spirit of marriage, within us, by not defrauding our spouses. References: Malachi 2:10-16 (MSG); Deuteronomy ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16

Denomination: Pentecostal