Sermons on the unexpected: showing 241-255 of 5,958

The First Person To Doubt The Virgin Birth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 10, 2011

The Christmas story begins well before the birth of the Son of God. At the least, it begins with a startled teenage girl who is confronted by an angel with an unexpected announcement.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favoured one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

The King Is Here! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 15, 2024

This sermon explores Jesus' humble yet triumphant entry as King, His unexpected conquest of hearts, and His reign over sin, death, and Satan.

Good morning, dear family of God. It's a wonderful day to gather together in the love and light of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here to share in the richness of His word, to draw strength from its wisdom and to find comfort in its promises. Today, we are turning our hearts and minds to a profound ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:1-11, Hebrews 1:1-2, 1 Peter 2:21

Topics: Palm Sunday

Our King Jesus Interprets Scripture Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Apr 23, 2018

The confusion and despair of the disciples on the day of the resurrection turns into joy because Jesus the King explains the Scriptures to the companions on the road to Emmaus.

Message Luke 24:13-35 Our King Jesus Interprets Scripture The day of the resurrection must have been a very confusing day for many. The Passover festival has finished and so has the Sabbath. It is time to go home. That is what thousands of people did on the Resurrection Sunday. We might kind of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

God's Assassin Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 30, 2010

After a short story based on Judges 3 to introduce the text, this sermon notes how God uses unexpected leaders and how God's leaders overturn idols.

In an attempt to capture some of the drama of this passage, I want to attempt something different as an introduction to the text. I hope you’ll follow along in your Bibles when I get to the meat of the sermon, but I thought I’d introduce the sermon by reading a short story I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-31

Denomination: *other

Idolatry Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 10, 2022

The nation of Israel is warned that they’ll soon face tests of idolatry and that sometimes these tests will come from the most unexpected places—from within their own circles.

Idolatry Jeffery Anselmi / General Tested- Faith in the Struggle / Idolatry; Faithful / Deuteronomy 13:1–13 The nation of Israel is warned that they’ll soon face tests of idolatry and that sometimes these tests will come from the most unexpected places—from within their own circles. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Revival: Stronger Than Ever - Where To Turn In Your Darkest Moment Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon explores where to turn during our darkest moments, using a personal anecdote from the pastor's childhood as a metaphor for finding oneself in unexpected and challenging situations.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of an afternoon in sixth grade, when a friend and I decided to swing on a newly-installed bar hanging over the walkway on our way out of school. The bar was about 8 feet off the ground, just low enough for the two of us to reach if we jumped. So on the ...read more

Topics: Overcoming Challenges, Faith In Crisis, Personal Growth

Sermon Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever

Blessed

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Oct 26, 2011

An All Saints' Day sermon about celebrating the people in our lives who have followed Christ's unexpected and extravagantly generous ways, and our call to do the same.

This week I read a status update on Facebook. The post was put there by my mentor, a pastor in Virginia. He said, “It is very telling who stops when you have run your car into the ditch on the side of the road. It wasn’t what would be termed the cream of society, that’s for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Easter's Surprises

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 1, 2001

What God does is eternal -- We are surprised by significance. What God does is impossible -- We are surprised by power. What God does is unexpected -- We are surprised by joy.

I will never forget walking into the funeral home several years ago to meet with the family who had just lost a 40-year-old son and husband. He was not dressed in a typical suit, but a pair of bib overhauls and a dirty ball cap. He had died of a heart attack, but in the pocket of his ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

In The Shadows Of An Empty Tomb Series

Contributed by Dan Cale on Mar 23, 2005

This can be used as the third in the series or a stand alone Easter Sermon. It investigates the unexpected things we find in the shadows of an empty tomb. Life, Hope, Love, Eternity are investigated.

Shadows of the Cross Pt 3 In the Shadows of an Empty Tomb Matthew 28:1-10 Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome ¡V these were the women who made the journey to the garden tomb outside the walls of Jerusalem to prepare the body of Jesus for final burial. Their task was obvious ¡V ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: *other

Christmas Paradox Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on Dec 30, 2004

Christmas is a paradox. The Christmas story is filled with the unexpected—the unimaginable. And yet the Christ Child was born amidst these paradoxes; let’s for a few moments think the paradox of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS PARADOX "The Nativity" “As helpless as He was He deserved more privacy. Yet they gathered and stared, not completely understanding what they saw—just that they had to see. . . “Mary was tired and sore and a little sick. But she had heard the heralding angel and knew they would come, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Deserted And Disowned Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 28, 2014

When life takes an unexpected turn, trust in God's plan and don't be faithless and desert, denounce, or disown Jesus; but if you already have, trust in God's grace.

Ivan Misner, in his book The World's Best Known Marketing Secrets, tells the story of a San Diego bank, which hired a private investigator to track down a bank robber and retrieve stolen funds. The search led to Mexico. The investigator crossed the border and then, realizing he would need a Spanish ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:43-72

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Peter's Path To Power

Contributed by Ron Theis on Jul 8, 2010

Just like we do, Peter's path from fisherman to preacher took some unexpected twists and turns, yet God still used him in a mighty way.

PETER’S PATH TO POWER Luke 22:31-32, 60-61 INTRODUCTION A. Peter’s Denials of Christ 1. We have been studying Peter on Wed. nights for 5 months. a. I would hope we have learned a lot from this marvelous man Jesus named the rock b. The rock that Jesus would build His church ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Attempts To Bury The Truth

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 21, 2010

The history of our world has demonstrated that earthly kings tend to be very vulnerable people who sit upon uneasy thrones that are subject to topple in the most unexpected ways.

Attempts to Bury the Truth Matthew 2:6- 18 NIV This past week in Canada we have seen our National Government decide to prorogue parliament. That's like the U.S. Senate closing shop for a 3 month unscheduled break. Many people are upset about this decision and see it as a blatant disregard to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:6-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Surprise Of Easter

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Apr 2, 2016

Easter came as a surprise to the first followers of Jesus - and it may surprise us, too. Here we find Unexpected Events, Unlikely Witnesses, Unforeseen Grace, and an Unfinished Story.

Introduction Good morning everyone! I hope you’re having a great Easter and maybe had the chance these past few days to look around our Easter Exhibition in the lounge – A reflective journey through art and multimedia on the theme of ‘Hope in Troubled Times.’ What a timely ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Word Of God

Contributed by Beulah Praiselin on Jun 30, 2017

When Lord breathes, he can give life, He blows away the unnecessary and His-breathed scripture endure forever. Believe in His Word and expect the unexpected

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday today and forever. In the daily part of our life we tend to think a lot about other people and the worldly glory, Sometimes our prioritization changes according to the surroundings we tend to lower the priority to be given to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:24-25