Sermons on Unexpected Christmas:

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

The Unexpected Journey Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 25, 2022

In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and provide for us as well. We just need to stay focused on him in the valley.

Cancer Journey: The Unexpected Journey! Opening Video: Unexpected Journey - Cancer to a Higher Calling Thesis: In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expect The Unexpected

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Sep 27, 2022

Life is full of unexpected moments—it would be boring without them. But what happens when that unexpected moment is huge? It affects you personally, and it’s something that seems unbearable. It causes you to doubt. That’s what we find in Luke 7 with John the Baptist.

Has something unexpected ever happened to you? —you find a 20 dollar bill in between the cushions on your couch —you bump into someone at the store that you haven’t seen in 5 years —the forecast says it’ll be sunny, but it pours —the dog decides to bring you a gift from the outside world, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

An Unexpected Honor Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Jul 8, 2023

No good deed goes unnoticed.

In Esther 6, King Xerxes was having trouble sleeping so he asked that the book of the records of the chronicles be read. During the reading, it was discovered that Mordecai was the one who had told of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes from Esther 2:21-23. King Xerxes asked what honor or dignity ...read more

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 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

Simply Christmas The 3 Journey's Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 4, 2022

Unexpected Journey’s are part of life – they happen – God is involved in them if you care to see Him

Video Transition: Simply Christmas Sermon: Simply Christmas (The 3 Journey’s, of the Christmas Story) Scriptures: Luke 2:1-7: Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem Matthew 2:1-18: Journey from Bethlehem to Egypt Matthew 2:19-23: Journey from Egypt to Nazareth Psalm 23 Thesis: Unexpected Journey’s are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Matthew 2:1-18, Matthew 2:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Encountering Jesus In The Most Unexpected Places And At The Most Unexpected Times. Series

Contributed by Mark Van Cuylenburg on May 11, 2020

Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus we to can encounter Jesus when we least expect to and where we least expect to find Him.

If you had asked my parents what religion they were and how they had bought up their children they would have said, without hesitation, that they were Christians, and that we, my brothers Gary and Paul, and my sister Carol, and I, had been brought up in the Christian faith, except of course that my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Faith In Unexpected Places

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Nov 12, 2003

To encourage the people to place their full confidence in the Lord and His leading

Faith in Unexpected Places Joshua 2:1-13 Primary Purpose: To encourage the people to place their full confidence and trust in the Lord and His leading At this point, Joshua and the people of God are still on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua sends in spies to check out the land. Some ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gideon - An Unexpected Hero Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jan 23, 2001

Gideon wasn’t a natural hero, but God used him to save his people. God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things

Gideon isn’t exactly your Hollywood image of a hero is he? In fact he’s the exact opposite. He’s much more the indecisive, timid type. He’s one of those people who want every i dotted and every t crossed before they make a decision and even then they won’t be able to make up their mind. You can see ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Faith In Unexpected Places Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Jun 24, 2012

In our text today, Jesus visited 2 predominantly Gentile regions, Tyre and Sidon (vs. 24-30) and the Decapolis (vs. 31-37). There He ministered to a desperate mother and a disabled man.

The Gospel of Mark #19 – “Faith in Unexpected Places” Mark 7:24-37 Intro – 1. We humans are a strange breed, aren’t we? 2. ILL – A pastor was once looking through some old church records of a Norwegian congregation which listed its membership as: “52 souls ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free