Sermons on Unexpected Blessings:

An Unexpected Journey

Contributed by Curtis Mathis on May 20, 2022

The reasons we journey are as numerous as the places to which we travel… But regardless of the where, how, and when, all our journeys have something in common…they provide us with opportunities to see, hear and learn new things…some expected…some not!

Introduction: Many things factor into the direction I take as I prepare my weekly messages. Foremost is the direction the Holy Spirt leads as I pray and seek God’s will concerning these words. 0ther factors like the Jewish calendar that leads us to Advent, Lent, and Easter as well as the changing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Tale Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Naomi came back bitter, but Ruth turned the negative into positive with trusting in the God of Naomi.

I. The Return to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-9 1. Naomi has had good news from back home. a. The Lord had visited His people in giving them bread. 2. Three elements are revealed in the initial moments of the return. a. Naomi tells the girls to go back to Moab and return to their Moabites families. b. The ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a hopeless case. The lease likely people in this world can become children of God, and can become leaders in the kingdom, as did this Samaritan sinner.

The unexpected is the source of so much of the joy of life. Our three year old granddaughter, Jennifer, was praying at the table a couple of weeks ago. I noticed she was going faster than usual, and she came to the end saying, "In Jesus name, amen." Then she shouted, "I win." ...read more

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 6, 2023

Life is unpredictable, so expect to be surprised.

A few years ago (2017), authorities apprehended a group of Minnesota teens for attempting to steal a cake from a local grocery store. The teens were embarrassed, but even more so when they discovered the cake was fake—it was a cardboard display cake. The grocery store owner decided not to press ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Unexpected Gift

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 19, 2023

Israel was expecting a Messiah but not like the Messiah that came.

“Unexpected Gift” Luke 2:1-20 1. Today’s reading there was some expected things needed done • It was expected that all Israel be registered for tax purposes • It was expected that Joseph go to Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected And Expecting Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 26, 2018

The Holy Spirit works quietly within us, bringing new things into being

Unexpected and Expecting Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I had the good fortune of attending a baby shower a week ago. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the advent of this little one soon to enter our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Unexpected Stop Series

Contributed by Kirby Lloyd on Dec 13, 2016

This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual tailspin

Series: Destinations on the Journey of Faith Unexpected Stop Matthew 26:69–75 Intro: Leaving for a trip getting only a few miles and having a blowout… This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Unexpected Sunday Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 1, 2018

After Friday nobody expected what would happen on Sunday

Nobody had expected this. It was only two days ago that the people of Jerusalem had watched as Jesus had been crucified as a heretic and a traitor to Rome. For three years Jesus had travelled throughout Israel. Preaching, teaching, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He had quieted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Unexpected Hero Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 3, 2025

We are in dire need of integrity in our society, and it begins and ends with Jesus Christ and the foundation of Scripture.

Paul the Ringleader Text: Acts 24:1-9 Introduction 1. “Integrity, the choice between what is convenient and what is right” (Tony Dungy). 2. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” (C.S. Lewis). 3. “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Advice

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jun 2, 2025

A Pharisee offers sound advice to the council

Unexpected Advice Acts 5:29-42 Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will? In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Journey: Abraham

Contributed by Dr. Ken E. Squires, Jr. on Jun 5, 2013

A look at the Unexpected Journey that God sent Abraham on.

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Handle The Unexpected Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 18, 2018

Mary serves as an example of how to handle life when life doesn't go as expected--a great example. We all experience this sort of thing, and we find out--life doens't go as expected all the time. How would God have us respond?

The Divine Advent(ure) How to Handle the Unexpected Luke 1:26-56 Have you ever noticed how life never seems to going exactly, or sometimes, even close to your plans? One of my favorite quotes is this one, apparently from an unbeliever: “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Bible Church

Faithful Servants Are Blessed

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 15, 2022

We are waiting and watching for Jesus' return. We are expecting Jesus to return.

FAITHFUL SERVANTS ARE BLESSED (Outline) November 20, 2022 – Pentecost Last – LUKE 12:35-43 INTRO: The Lord calls us to be his servants. The Lord also calls us his children. We are servants and children of the Lord. Our lives are guided by the Lord’s Word. Not the world’s words. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-43

Denomination: Lutheran

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