Sermons on Unexpected Calling:

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

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

Bothersome Bartemeus2

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Oct 27, 2018

Challenging people to react to the needs around them.

Bothersome Bartemaeus Mark 10: 46-52 Intro: One of the great mysteries of life is how the idiot that your daughter married can be the father of the smartest grandchildren in the whole world. --- Officer, the guy yelled, my father-in-law knocked me down with his car! Are you sure it was your ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When You Want To Call It Quits Series

Contributed by Wayne Cordeiro on Nov 13, 2007

Have you ever wanted to call it quits? We all have. Every single one of us has, especially when the press of people’s opinions suffocate us.

Have you ever wanted to call it quits? We all have. Every single one of us has, especially when the press of people’s opinions suffocate us. Or when the demands of others’ expectations coupled with our own sense of inadequacy and failure squelch our spirit. When it comes spiraling down to an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

Boats Of Peter

Contributed by Wilfred Mina on Nov 10, 2010

The Call Stages in Following Jesus

THE BOATS OF PETER Luke 5:1-11 The first meeting of Peter with Jesus is found in John 1:40-42 wherein Andrew, the brother of Peter, brought him to Jesus. Two short, simple statements left Peter feeling totally exposed at the same time amazed. You are . . . the truth of the fallen condition of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Not What They Expected Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Dec 30, 2019

How much do you remember about John the Baptist? Camel hair clothing, locust diet, or loaner lifestyle? While those are memorable, John is arguably one of the most significant people in Jesus’ life and ministry. See how the unexpected surrounded John's birth.

While at the children’s hospital this summer in California, my wife Nikky and I were sitting in the atrium to the main entrance one day when I noticed a man in a black suit and an ear piece walking around. He was looking all over the place and talking to people. As I watched him I leaned over to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:57-66, Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Lutheran

The Twelve Apostles

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 8, 2013

The analysis of Jesus choosing the twelve apostles as set forth in Luke 6:12-16 will show us that Jesus uses ordinary people to accomplish his purposes.

Scripture Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He was about thirty years of age when he began his public ministry (Luke 3:23) in 28 AD. His ministry of seeking and saving the lost was primarily a ministry of teaching and healing. As Jesus carried out his itinerant ministry in Israel his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:12-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Walking As Pilgrims Of Hope Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Apr 1, 2025

I have been contemplating how we are called to be pilgrims of hope in a world that desperately seeks meaning and direction.

Title: Walking as Pilgrims of Hope Intro: I have been contemplating how we are called to be pilgrims of hope in a world that desperately seeks meaning and direction. Scripture: Romans 15:13 Reflection Dear Brother and Sister Religious, as I write this reflection from our mission house, I am ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13

Denomination: Other

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

The Great Commission

Contributed by Jody Smith on Oct 28, 2001

Why do we get so caught up in the business of the church? Why are we not more involved in carrying out the church’s business?

Title: The Great Commission Every year within the United Methodist Church, we find ourselves comsummed by the local charge conference. We have our meetings, our disagreements, our nominations, our elections, our budgets and our paperwork. For nearly two solid months, we become consumed with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Methodist

Is It Time For Happy Hour Yet?

Contributed by Jack Warford on Nov 22, 2001

What if I told you that I know someone who will give you happiness not just for an hour or two, but all day, everyday, forever, would you like to meet Him?

What if I told you that I know someone who will give you happiness not just for an hour or two, but all day, everyday, forever, would you like to meet Him? Isn’t it amazing how the world wants to regulate even our happiness? When we drive down main streets or pass hotels, we see signs announcing ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational