Sermons on Unexpected Circumstances:

What Is God Doing? Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Nov 26, 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 5, 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

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

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

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

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

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

(Lesson 9) Peter: A Backslider Restored To Service

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Peter denied the Lord through boasting and pride. After breakfast on a beach, Jesus restored him to service and he became a bold preacher on the day of Pentecost.

A. PETER’S BACKSLIDING 1. Cause boasting. "I will lay down my life for thy sake" (John 13:37). 2. Jesus’ response warning. "Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily Verily, I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice" (John 13:32). 3. Effort flesh. "Smote the ...read more

Scripture: John 13:32-37

Denomination: Baptist

Backslidden Peter Experienced Jesus For Return To Ministry Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Nov 13, 2023

Good intentions are not enough to keep us faithful to Christ.

A. WHY DID PETER BACKSLIDE? 1. Cause boasting. “I will lay down my life for Your sake” (John 13:37). 2. Jesus’ response warning. “Jesus answered him, ‘Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’” (John ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12, Philippians 4:13, Luke 22:61-62

Denomination: Baptist

Rest Assured Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 20, 2004

Sometimes we can be left in hard circumstances so long we start believing that a momentary realization that we are indeed alive is only a sadistic pause until the next car breakdown, pipe breaking, kid-sickness, roof leaking, job layoff or unexpected bill

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC January 18, 2004 Paul was very encouraging with his words to the church at Thessalonica. Sometimes, however, even words of grand encouragement can leave you wondering. I have counted for many years upon the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, James 1:2-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Return Of God's Glory With Constant Contact Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Oct 26, 2016

Prayer, in fact crying out to God, is crucial to his presence with us.

1. Series Review -- Close Encounter of the Holy Kind a. We have a universal longing for God -- Ecclesiastes 3.11 b. His singular provision is his glory/presence within and among us c. We have a common access to that glory in and through the church d. The Epic Failure of Many Churches -- Loss of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do Not Live At The Shallow End Of The Pool / Transfigured Moments

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 22, 2017

This yearning within us is not really about life's circumstances. It is about us! This restlessness this desire for something more generally means we have been living life at the shallow end of the pool. Updated August 2023..

Each year ...we as Anglicans ... set aside a date to hear the glorious story... of the transfiguration. The Scriptures Speak to the transfigured nature of our Lord... in the books of Mathew, Mark, and Luke. Here God's Word (Pick one) ....... BIBLE "And he (Jesus) was transfigured before ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:2-9, Matthew 17:1-9, Luke 9:28-36, Mark 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 17:15-16, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Sitting At The Feet Of The Rabbi Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 19, 2022

This sermon focuses on Jesus the Rabbi and four things that made him a great teacher while and earth and how they still make him a good teacher through his Spirit today.

I have a question for you. How many of you can recall a favorite teacher that you have ever had either in elementary school, high school, or college? Easily. What would be some of the character traits? What would be some of the skills? What would be some of the things they would bring to the ...read more

Scripture: John 14:25, John 1:28-38

Denomination: Christian Church

Psalm 13 - He Has Been Good To Me Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 12, 2022

This sermon divides Psalm 13 into three parts: Complaint, Request, and Trust and explores how these three areas and this entire Psalm might serve as a life template for Christians today.

Good morning. If you have your Bibles, please open up to Psalm 13:1. As you may know if you were here last week, we are looking at the Psalms through the summer. We are not going to cover all 150 Psalms. We are going to cover about 12 of them. The thing that is nice about the Psalms is that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Being Content In Every Situation

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 24, 2025

Contentment is a state of being at peace and satisfied with what God has provided, regardless of external circumstances.

Title: BEING CONTENT IN EVERY SITUATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13, Luke 3:14, Proverbs 30:8-9, 1 Timothy 6:6-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God