Sermons on An Unexpected God:

Don't Walk Away From An Answered Prayer

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 12, 2022

We tend to pray for the salvation of someone we know, or for a job, or for the return of the LORD, or some other issue, and He answers it in a way that either we don't expect or like. Let's not forget that God is in charge. His will overrides our ideals.

I want to share with you an insight that the LORD impressed upon me pertaining to prayer and how the LORD graciously answers our petitions and requests presented before Him. You are probably familiar with the saying that He answers our prayers three ways: Either "Yes", "No", ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:4, Psalm 91:15, Isaiah 65:24, Jeremiah 33:3, Luke 11:9, John 14:14, 1 John 3:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Healing Gifts

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Mar 19, 2001

Some experiences of God`s Healing Gifts given through the most unexpected people.

"HEALING GIFTS" I became interested in the Healing Ministry through something that happened in my first Parish as a Vicar in England in 1970. The doorbell of my Vicarage rang one day and I found a local shopkeeper standing on the doorstep. She said, "My son Ian`s been in a Motor ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Where Is God Amidst The Confusion

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 1, 2008

This is a powerful message of Hope following the tragic, unexpected death of a 16 year old girl named Amanda. Her death sent the entire community into shock. There was almost 600 people present and many students. The message was very well received.

WHERE IS GOD AMIDST THE CONFUSION? • Rev. Dave Smith (M.Div.) The Bible tells us … apart from Jesus Christ … - the wisest man who ever lived on planet earth … was King Solomon Solomon wrote: KEY " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Of Great Turnarounds Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on May 22, 2023

The story of Esther and Mordecai is full of plot twists, unexpected outcomes, and surprise endings, all reminding us that we serve a God of great turnarounds. Do we have “Hamans” in our lives? From the story of Esther and Mordecai we can draw encouragement for our lives today.

Introduction Video Ill.: The Story of Esther - Second Look Films (segment 4) We are continuing our study today based loosely on Max Lucado’s book, You Were Made for This Moment. When we started, we saw that Esther and Mordecai just wanted to blend in — to be cosy in the Persian culture. Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 35:17, Jeremiah 12:1, Acts 17:31, Psalm 7:11, Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 5:43-45, Isaiah 58:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral

Contributed by John Hamby on Mar 27, 2001

Funeral for unexpected death of a young lady.

Funeral for Young Lady “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; (14) whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Parable Of The Serving Master.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2023

Be prepared for the return of Jesus at an unexpected time.

PARABLE OF THE SERVING MASTER. Luke 12:32-40. Jesus reminds His “little flock” that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The imperative of Luke 12:33, rightly understood, becomes a marker of where our heart lies (Luke 12:34). We must hold the things of this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unlikely Faith Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 22, 2007

God can use unexpected people with extraordinary faith to do extraordinary things.

An Unlikely Faith Text: Joshua 2:1-24 Introduction 1. Illustration: A wife woke up one morning and said, “Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?” “I don’t know, but Valentine’s Day is coming soon. Tuesday, you’ll know,” He replied. A few ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Expect Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 27, 2010

We can expect forgiveness from God: unexpected, undeserved, unearned, and unlimited.

Expect Forgiveness Faith Expectations Part 2 05/04/08 PM Reading: Luke 15:11-24 Text: Luke 15:11-32 [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 another in the series I call Faith ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Surprising Turn Around Series

Contributed by Donovan Myers on May 4, 2002

Sometimes change from the the most unexpected places.

A Surprising Turn Around JONAH 3 Donovan W. Myers Rosemount Missionary Church Desperate situations sometimes require desperate solutions. This is part of the reason Jesus congratulated the man in the story he told of the unjust steward - who on recognizing that his master was coming to audit him, ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dealing With The Audibles Of Life Series

Contributed by Charles Whitmire on Oct 5, 2008

This message teaches us how to handle the unexpected...

In football, most of the plays are called by the coaches. It used to be done by signs. The quarterback would get the signs and relay those to his team in the huddle. Now a lot of that is done with technology - the helmet has an audio feature so he can get a play that way... But often, the play that ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Good Samaritan Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 16, 2009

The story of love coming from an unexpected source.

The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 We’ll read the passage a little later but turn to Luke 10:25-27. Do you like rules? For the most part I think rules are good for keeping other people in line but most of us only like them when they work to our advantage. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Even There: The Invisible Hand Of God In Unlikely Places

Contributed by Randy Bataanon on Dec 18, 2025

Life sometimes takes us into unexpected places — the mountaintop of success or the valley of failure, the dawn of change or the loneliness of distance. In those moments we often ask, “Lord, are You still here?”

EVEN THERE: The Invisible Hand of God in Unlikely Places Text: Psalm 139:7–10 (NIV) “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finish Strong PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

The themes of God's unexpected calling, the consequences of unbridled passion, and the importance of enduring till the end.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving into the heart of the Old Testament, focusing on 1 Samuel chapters 16 and 17. This is the story of a young shepherd boy named David who was called, anointed, and chosen by God to become one of the most influential kings in Israel's history. As we ...read more

Topics: King David

Funeral Sermon: When Good People Die Young Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 5, 2025

As we reflect on the untimely death of a good person, let us remember that their departure is not in vain, and God has a purpose that is beyond our understanding.

Funeral Sermon: WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIE YOUNG By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 57:1-2 (KJV) The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Peter, Feed My Sheep” (21 Of 21)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 11, 2022

A small country church was going through some difficult times financially.

The pastor stood before the congregation, and said, “As all of you know, we need a very large offering today! The person who gives the largest offering will be able to choose three hymns.” They received the offering, and someone had placed a one thousand-dollar check in the offering plate. He was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-18

Denomination: Baptist