Sermons on The Unexpected:

Part 1 -- Some Thoughts On God's Control And Why Things Happen As They Do. Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Nov 2, 2009

Why do things happen the way they do? The book of Habakkuk tells us that this is because God is God and is in conplete control. This is the first of a series of messages looking at how Habakkuk attitude and character changes regarding God’s activity in

The Book of Habakkuk Some Thoughts On God’s Control And Why Things Happen As They Do. Part 1 Habakkuk 1:1-11 INTRODUCTION: We live in a world of more questions than answers. In fact, for every answer we find, it seems as if it brings with it two questions. We live in a world today in which ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is This Guy? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 9, 2021

When something new and striking happens, we immediately focus on it. When someone appears unexpectedly and begins to do unusual things, he or she garners our attention. Jesus Christ is such a person.

Monday of the First Week in Course 2021 About a half-century ago a hit movie was in the theaters called “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” Robert Redford and Paul Newman played outlaws that were constantly eluding law enforcement. But after one train holdup a different posse began chasing them, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20, Hebrews 1:1-6, Philippians 2:11

Denomination: Catholic

Unpacking Crazy Happy Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 4, 2023

True happiness comes from being humble, accepting sadness, being meek, and longing for God's righteousness.

Have you ever thought about what makes you truly happy? Is it getting the latest iPhone, acing your exams, or hanging out with friends? Well, God has a different idea about happiness, and it's kinda crazy. Let's dive into the Beatitudes and see what Jesus says about being crazy happy. Imagine ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-6

Topics: Happiness, Unexpected Places, Beatitudes, Spiritual Growth

What Is God Doing? Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Nov 25, 2024

God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected means. We need to watch for His surprising actions and join Him in His mission to change the world.

You know the Christmas story, right? Baby Jesus, manger, shepherds, wise men - the works. But imagine being there. It was all so unexpected and weird. They must've been like, "What's God up to?" What's God up to? Imagine you're expecting a package. You're super excited, but when it arrives, it's in ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-21

Topics: Divine Plans, Spiritual Growth, Faith Challenges, Miracles

The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 3) Discovering God In Surprising Ways Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 4, 2024

Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only to be surprised by how He actually revealed Himself. Perhaps you were praying for a breakthrough, but God brought transformation in a different form.

The Unexpected Jesus: Discovering God in Surprising Ways Introduction Today, I want to explore a theme that could radically transform your relationship with God: the idea that Jesus often shows up in ways we least expect. Many of us have had moments when we expected God to act a certain way, only ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-7, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 139:7-10, Mark 5:25-34, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Luke 5:4-11, Isaiah 6:8, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Easter Sunday, Expectations. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 4, 2015

The day of Jesus resurrection was a day of the unexpected, are we open to the unexpected taht God puts before us so that we might live in understanding of him and by his power?

Easter Sunday, expectations. I may have mentioned Nikolai Ivanovich Bukharin previously. But during his day Nikolai was as powerful a man as there was on earth. As Russian Communist leader he took part in the Bolshevik Revolution 1917, was editor of the Soviet newspaper Pravda (which by the way ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-23, Acts 1:7-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

Simply Christmas The 3 Journey's Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 4, 2022

Unexpected Journey’s are part of life – they happen – God is involved in them if you care to see Him

Video Transition: Simply Christmas Sermon: Simply Christmas (The 3 Journey’s, of the Christmas Story) Scriptures: Luke 2:1-7: Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Matthew 2:1-18: Journey from Bethlehem to Egypt Matthew 2:19-23: Journey from Egypt to Nazareth Psalm 23 Thesis: Unexpected Journey’s are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-18, Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In Expectation Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 29, 2010

God surprises us and show up at the most unexpected times.

FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT NOVEMBER 28, 2010 Matthew 24:36-44 “Living In Expectation INTRODUCTION Living in expectation is a natural experience in life. It is also an important part of life, because it brings with it hope and excitement. Millions of people have been living in expectation ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Making The Most Of Every Opportunity

Contributed by Selvan John on Aug 8, 2008

Opportunities in life are not to be missed since it might bring in unexpected blessing.

The sermon that I want to preach to you today will be on “Making the most of every Opportunity.” I remember someone tell me about the Japanese culture of eating, their ways of doing it will surely give an insight into how best we make use of the opportunity. When they sit around the table, they ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Faith Of A Foreign Woman

Contributed by Troy Borst on Apr 22, 2013

Bitter Beginnings, Kindness Shown, Redeemer Found, Unexpected Endings

THE FAITH OF A FOREIGN WOMAN CHAPTER 9, “THE STORY” RUTH 1-4 INTRODUCTION We are studying the Bible this year from the beginning to the end. We are watching as God enfolds His Story for us to see. We are seeing how God weaves together lives, purpose, sin, attitudes, mistakes, humble ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Needled In A Haystack

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 27, 2025

God works in unexpected ways, as in the case of the Haystack Prayer Meeting.

Needled from the Haystack Adoniram Judson was a 19th-century American Christian missionary who worked in Burma (now Myanmar). He is best known for translating the Bible into Burmese and for his enduring contributions to the Southeast Asian missionary efforts. Later, after a period away from his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Look Who's In The Family Tree

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 17, 2001

Five unexpected women in the genealogy of Christ, speak of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Look Who Is In the Family Tree! Matthew 1:1-17 Introduction: Whenever anyone begins to study their family’s lineage and history, they are usually warned that they might find out things they weren’t expecting. They might find out that their great great uncle was a horse thief or that one of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Pain

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jul 4, 2009

Pain is one of the unexpected gifts that God can use in our lives.

The Gift of Pain Text: Luke 5:12-16 Luke 5:12-16 -- "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." "And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Behold, A Woman Lay At His Feet! Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Feb 16, 2011

God works through unexpected circumstances to protect and redeem his people.

Children’s Sermon Tell about time when Helen and I were sound asleep and suddenly – plop, something jumped into the bed with us! I woke, sat up, stared blindly into the dark (of course saw nothing), and laid back down thinking I had a bad dream. When it happened the second time, I was certain it ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Power Of Earnest Prayer Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 7, 2020

God often does the unexpected when we’re earnest in prayer.

A week ago, I listened to the Voice of the Martyr’s podcast called VOM Radio and learned about Petr Jasek, a believer from the Czech Republic, who was imprisoned in Sudan for 14 months. He served as the Africa Regional Director for Voice of the Martyrs and traveled to Sudan on their behalf. BTW, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Baptist