Sermons on the unexpected:

Unexpected!

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 7, 2015

John the Baptist was an unexpected person bringing an unexpected message at an unexpected time. A communion sermon for Advent.

Every one of us has certain expectations at Christmas. We expect to buy gifts and we expect to receive gifts. We expect the lights and the colors and the sights and the sounds of the season. We expect to eat a lot! We expect long lines in the department stores, and apparently this year more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Welcome - Unexpected Sin Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

After dreading the meeting - Jacob and Esau have a family reunion. But then jealousy and violence take over as Jacob’s sons do something unthinkable.

Jacob has had a really tough time - back in Padan Aram he finally left his uncle Laban, who had cheated him for 20 years. Laban would have probably killed him had God not intervened but even still Laban gives Jacob a really hard time and then makes this agreement asking that God judge Jacob if he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Unexpected Defeat

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 6, 2015

Unexpected Defeat

Ecclesiastes 9 v 11 & 12 Unexpected Defeat v.11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Denomination: Holiness

Unexpected News Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 28, 2021

Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday. The original Christmas was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God. God loves doing the unexpected.

Video Transition: Mary did you know video! Series: Unexpected Christmas Thesis of Series: Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday. The original Christmas was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-55, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Doors

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jun 11, 2001

There are times when the Holy Spirit opens unexpected doors in our lives when we follow God

Unexpected Doors Acts 16:6-11 June 10, 2001 Morning Service Introduction I. Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." II. The Roles of the Spirit  He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Expecting The Unexpected

Contributed by Kim Gilliland on Oct 18, 2000

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8 FATHERS' DAY CARDS Last week, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

The Unexpected Lamb

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at Revelation 5 and the all conquering lion who turns out to be a lamb that was slain, the paradox at the heart of Christianity and what it means for us in our daily struggle.

Introduction This morning we’re going to find out about a lion. A great big powerful victorious lion. So I thought I’d bring along an example. Now you need to be careful I don’t want to frighten anyone, so be warned this is one ferocious lion I’ve got back here. It gave me quite a bit of bother on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Holiness

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - JONAH

Introduction: Veggie-tales Jonah, “Our God is a God of Second Chances” Our God is a God of second chances–and third, and fourth, and so on! The mercy and grace of God is greater than all of our sin. Regardless of who you are or what you have done, God is ready to let you start over again. We ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unexpected Gifts

Contributed by Johnny Small on Nov 15, 2002

At this time of the year we start thinking about buying Christmas gifts for our love ones. What gifts has God given to the ones that He loves?

Unexpected Gifts At this time of the year we start thinking about buying Christmas gifts for our love ones. Have you ever been given a gift that you didn’t expect? Have you ever been given a gift that you thought you could never use? Have you ever been given the surprise of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35, Mark 16:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Converts

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Grace. Those most people thought were least likely to become God’s people are the ones who come to Christ; while the ones often thought to be most likely became his enemies.

Two of the surprises that we come across as we read the New Testament are the people who become close to Jesus, and the people who are alienated from Jesus. It is surprising because it is exactly the opposite of what we would expect to find. We would expect Jesus to be close to the religious folk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Expect The Unexpected

Contributed by Marcos Suazo on Oct 25, 2004

God is not limited by anything other than the faith of the believer......

Expect the Unexpected Acts 3: 1-12 1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Tale Of The Unexpected !

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Feb 10, 2006

John was shocked when the sinless Jesus asked to be baptised. Jesus identifies with us in his baptism. We identify with him when we are baptised and we too can receive God’s Spirit! Truly this is a tale of the unexpected.

The Baptism of Jesus must surely qualify as a ‘Tale of the Unexpected’! Have you ever been somewhere or seen something which was the exact opposite of what you were expecting? Have you ever been waiting expectantly for an event, only for the event itself to come as a total surprise or even a big ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Anglican

Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 24, 2006

Those who were expecting God’s deliverer, the Messiah, were confused when Jesus came on the scene offering a Kingdom, not of this world as they expected, but a Kingdom to Come of Peace and Trusting Service.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 St. Matthew 11:2-10 Unexpected Messiah During the Advent Season we sang hymns and read lessons about the promised Christ, the Messiah who would deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. Many First Century followers of St. John the Baptist as well as followers of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

An Unexpected Saviour Series

Contributed by James Jack on Mar 3, 2005

Jesus brings a new age in the way people relate to God: he gives us living water and spiritual renewal that transcends place and race so that all the true worshippers may worship in spirit and in truth.

John 4:4-42 Main point: Jesus brings a new age in the way people relate to God: he gives us living water and spiritual renewal that transcends place and race so that all the true worshippers may worship in spirit and in truth. Unexpected Conversations When I inherited my classroom at school, ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Anglican

The Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 10, 2006

Everyone was hoping for, even expecting, the Messiah in Jesus’ day. But, he disappointed everyone, thought Messiah would come as a conqueror. Isaiah’s first Servant Song shows their expectations to have been badly misinformed.

Psalm 89:1-16, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11 The Unexpected Messiah In the May 29, 2005 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a story ran concerning a courthouse puzzle. The story in that paper begins like this: “In the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where plaintiffs, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican