Sermons on unexpected circumstances:

To Touch God Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 6, 2019

What does it mean to touch/encounter God

All Scripture quoted in this lesson is from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted A. What Does It Mean To Touch/Encounter God? 1. You intentionally meet or encounter God. 2. In a time of great need. 3. Through unexpected circumstances. 4. When God reveals something about Himself (or His plan ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1, Exodus 33:18, Judges 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

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

Behold, A Woman Lay At His Feet! Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Feb 16, 2011

God works through unexpected circumstances to protect and redeem his people.

Children’s Sermon Tell about time when Helen and I were sound asleep and suddenly – plop, something jumped into the bed with us! I woke, sat up, stared blindly into the dark (of course saw nothing), and laid back down thinking I had a bad dream. When it happened the second time, I was certain it ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Preparing For The Unexpected

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Dec 19, 2006

God wants to do the impossible with you. How can you prepare yourself to be part of His plan? How can you prepare yourself for life’s unexpected moments?

Preparing for the Unexpected Luke 1:26-38 Hook: What things do each year to prepare for Christmas? Each holiday season, we spend a great deal of time preparing for the expected. Trees, presents, pix with Santa, etc. Mary didn’t have that luxury. Imagine you were Mary... Unexpected pregnancy, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unexpected Cross

Contributed by Ken Crow on Oct 2, 2010

Life circumstances may be so that not only do we not ask for a cross but also we may not have a choice in whether we bear it or not.

The Unexpected Cross Pastor Ken Crow Matthew 27:32 (King James Version) 32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. In our Christian life there are many crosses. There is our cross that Jesus says we must bear if we are to be his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32

Denomination: Church Of God

In A Way Unexpected

Contributed by William L. Vincent on Jan 5, 2013

God will often use things, people and circumstances that do not make sense to the human intellect. God will speak into our improbability and bring forth our destiny.

1 Sam 16:13 Now the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons." 2 And Samuel said, "How can I go? If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Orthodox

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

Circumstances

Contributed by Christopher Glenn on Mar 17, 2012

It's not your circumstances, it's your character that matters.

CIRCUMSTANCES Genesis 39:23 - Two of the great laws of life we must eventually learn are 1) Many circumstances we have in life are uncontrollable 2) Things don't always go as planned - Life just doesn't always go the way we want it to go. - Many things in life are beyond our control. - These ...read more

Unexpected!

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 7, 2015

John the Baptist was an unexpected person bringing an unexpected message at an unexpected time. A communion sermon for Advent.

Every one of us has certain expectations at Christmas. We expect to buy gifts and we expect to receive gifts. We expect the lights and the colors and the sights and the sounds of the season. We expect to eat a lot! We expect long lines in the department stores, and apparently this year more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Celebrating Christmas When The Unexpected Occurs Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Dec 5, 2011

How do you celebrate Christmas or life for that matter when unexpected events ruin your best laid plans?

Celebrating Christmas…when the Grinch shows up! Celebrating Christmas when the unexpected Occurs Matthew 1:18-25 To be truly be able to celebrate Christmas when the unexpected occurs, you must… Expect the unexpected to Occur Trust God’s Sovereignty when the Unexpected ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Welcome - Unexpected Sin Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

After dreading the meeting - Jacob and Esau have a family reunion. But then jealousy and violence take over as Jacob’s sons do something unthinkable.

Jacob has had a really tough time - back in Padan Aram he finally left his uncle Laban, who had cheated him for 20 years. Laban would have probably killed him had God not intervened but even still Laban gives Jacob a really hard time and then makes this agreement asking that God judge Jacob if he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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 Hope Series

Contributed by Rich Mccaskill on Jul 21, 2020

In our confusing and broken world, we can still have hope because of Jesus.

My own journey of hopelessness began when I was 15. As much as I wanted to believe in God, I could not. I could relate to Tolstoy who recounts an "old Eastern fable about a traveler who was taken by surprise in the steppes by a raging wild beast. Trying to save himself from the beast, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:24-25, Isaiah 7:14, Romans 8:18-24