Sermons on the unexpected:

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

Unexpected Funeral - Man

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 1, 2020

A heart attack cut this life short.

Funerals Provide: • An Opportunity to Mourn • An Opportunity to Give and Receive Comfort • An Opportunity to Honor, Remember, and Give Thanks • An Opportunity to Declare Our Hope in Jesus Funerals remind us of: a. The Certainty of Death (Ecclesiastes 9:5) b. The Shortness of life (James ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed In Unexpected Ways

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 7, 2020

How the Beatitudes are a guide to Christian living in troubled times.

BLESSED IN UNEXPECTED WAYS: The Beatitudes as a Guide For Troubled Times The Beatitudes are found in their fullest form at the beginning of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ in Matthew 5:3-11. A Beatitude is “an exclamation of the inner joy and peace that comes with being right with God. Happiness may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

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

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

When Life Takes An Unexpected Turn Series

Contributed by Rodney Kelley on Sep 7, 2009

When life takes an unexpected turn, will we trust God?

Intro. Last week we saw that Jacob’s life changed before Joseph was born. Joseph had been trained well by his father. Not the same could be said about the rest of the sons. Jacob had been very passive in the lives of Joseph’s older brothers, but apparently more involved in the life of Joseph. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

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

Inevitable Problems Unexpected Solutions

Contributed by Selvan John on Mar 10, 2010

Problems are common to all, but how do we overcome our problems successfully.

I want to share a story with you this morning, it is a story about a man who had fascinating life and suddenly everything came crumbling down. He was very qualified man, honest and faithful that led him above all his peers. He became the director of his organization, a people training centre. He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Pentecostal

Simon Of Cyrene - The Unexpected Cross

Contributed by Jay Mccluskey on Mar 12, 2012

This is a narrative sermon that shares a story about Simon of Cyrene. Several points of observation are at the end of the message. Rightfully utilized, the "story telling" methodology is an effective format for communication.

THE UNEXPECTED CROSS (Sermons2012: Simon of Cyrene Narrative) 3/11/2012 a.m. Mark 15:21 A theologian said the cross of Jesus is like a diamond because the more angles you can look at it the greater your appreciation. Over the next two weeks we are going to look at the cross from different ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21

Denomination: Baptist

Meeting The Unexpected Trials Of Life

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Mar 23, 2015

We need to know how to deal with the trial of life as the Christians

I. How these great trial come upon us 1. John 16:32-33 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist