Sermons on The Unexpected:

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God Uses The Unexpected

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

Many times those who are underestimated and considered failures go on to accomplish great things in society. The same principle is true in the kingdom. The Lord oftentimes uses people who are rejected to bring glory to His name.

Once we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and as we come to know the Lord by spending time with Him, we will reach a point in our life where our love will overflow in a desire for service. It’s at this place that many believers come to a screeching halt. They look at themselves ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

An Unexpected Encounter With God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 2, 2023

A ladder of God's devising, connecting heaven and earth. Prefigures the Cross.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. Genesis 28:10-19a. GENESIS 28:10. Jacob had defrauded his brother Esau of both his birthright and his blessing. So now Jacob was on the run from his brother Esau, headed back in the direction of the city which their grandfather Abraham had left behind so many ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Ready For Unexpected Challenges Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Feb 5, 2019

Those who have been given a call and purpose from God will inevitable find themselves facing decisive and unexpected challenges which will determine the course of their lives.

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com Those who have been given a call and purpose from God will inevitable find themselves facing a great decisive and unexpected challenges which will determine if they will ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Gifts In Unexpected Boxes

Contributed by Jack Russell on Feb 9, 2019

Forrest Gump's mother said: "life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." Sometimes you don't even get what the box says is in it.

Great Gifts in Unexpected Boxes A Christmas Meditation I like to buy my wife extravagant gifts for Christmas…like socks. You might laugh, but I’m not talking just any socks. I’m talking heavy winter socks, thick socks. You know, the kind where a single sock can block a dryer vent. Besides ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Response To The Unexpected

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 15, 2024

This message is about how we respond to the unexpected events of our lives. As children of God, our core responses should always focus our attention on the One with the answer, not the problem before our eyes.

Our Response to The Unexpected Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; First John 3:21-22; Second Chronicles 20:1-29 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of the message this morning is “Our Response to the Unexpected.” I am going to open with a story recorded in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus and His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, 1 John 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unexpected Miracle In Zarephath Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 16, 2025

God's miracles do not always come from obvious places or expected methods. In Zarephath, He used a poor widow to provide for His prophet and turned her last meal into a river of abundance.

THE UNEXPECTED MIRACLE IN ZAREPHATH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Kings 17:8-16 Supporting Texts: Psalm 37:19; Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:6; Philippians 4:19; Luke 4:25-26 INTRODUCTION: When the brook Cherith dried up, God redirected Elijah to a place no one would expect—Zarephath, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Unexpected Path To Perfection

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 23, 2025

This sermon explains how God purposefully uses the trials of life to refine our faith, produce steadfast endurance, and develop us into spiritually mature believers who are complete in Christ.

If you were to take a survey of every person in this room, and perhaps every person in this city, and ask them, "What is your main goal in life?" you would get a lot of different answers. Some would say to be successful, to provide for their family. Others might say to be healthy, to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Not What I Expected Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

That's what the Christmas event is all about - God showing up in the midst of the unexpected.

Not What I Expected Isaiah 9:1-2 When I was in seventh grade, like so many youth at that age, music became a huge part of my life. I was awakened to the sounds of music of Elton John’s Greatest Hits, SuperTramps’ Breakfast in America and Led Zepellin 2. So my hope and dream was to build ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

It’s Not What I Expected

Contributed by Dr. Jwt Spies on May 19, 2023

Things are not what they seem to. It's not what I expected.

As we look at our story, we see that John had been in the desert disciplining himself waiting for this special moment. And when the Word of God came to him, he came out of the desert preaching up a storm. And let me drop something in your spirit early this morning and that is whenever those who are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Is This A Curve Ball? (Advent 2009)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 1, 2023

This sermon is about being surprised by tbd unexpected things much like Jesus seems to have surprised John the Baptist.

IS THIS A CURVE BALL? Text: Matthew 11:2-11 I read about someone’s recollection of a performance that he (Tom Wright) had been rehearsing for on stage at an earlier time in his life. He mentions that all had been going according to plan most of the time. “We had all rehearsed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Devoted Or Distracted

Contributed by Katherine Gilstrap on Sep 7, 2024

AN UNEXPECTED PROBLEM BECOMES A UNEXPECTED BLESSING

Every day I drive the same highway to and from the office, and every day I see an alarming number of distracted drivers. Usually they’re talking on the phone or texting, but I have also seen people reading the newspaper, putting on makeup, and eating a bowl of cereal while trying to maneuver a ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:18-25, John 14:6, Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Denomination: Other

Unexpected Education In The Middle Of Nowhere Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 9, 2013

This is the third message in a series on the life of Moses that shows that being God's man is never easy. This message shows how God often teaches us in the most unexpected places.

When we last left Moses, he had fled the land of Egypt leaving behind all the wealth and privileges that he was raised with. Moses was a rising star, who had had the very best education, the sky was the limit. However, a knee jerk reaction has cost him everything. Now he finds himself in the middle ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 7): Unshakeable Joy: The Gift Of The Unexpected Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 7, 2024

Let us explore a profound truth that can change the way we live - the unshakeable joy that Jesus brings.

Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 7): Unshakeable Joy: The Gift of the Unexpected Jesus Introduction: Today, we will be exploring a profound truth that can change the way we live. We’re talking about joy—specifically, the unshakeable joy that Jesus brings. But what makes this joy so special is that it’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10, John 16:22, James 1:2-3, Philippians 4:4-5, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Difficult Questions, Unexpected Answers

Contributed by Scott Jensen on Oct 24, 2008

Questions are part of daily life. Some questions have black-and-white answers, others are in the shades of gray. Some questions have no answers. How we ask God questions is a reflection of our attitude towards Him.

Difficult Questions, Unexpected Answers Matthew 22:15-22 Introduction People, by nature, are inquisitive. There are many unanswered dilemmas that we want to know the outcome. We want answers. We want them now! But we want them to meet our expectations. Look at how we view the upcoming ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Lutheran