Sermons on unexpected circumstances: showing 346-360 of 38,975

The Shekinah, The Shepherds, And Shiloh

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 12, 2001

The unexpected appearance to an unlikely audience bringing an astonishing message of an unusual arrival.

THE SHEKINAH, THE SHEPHERDS, AND SHILOH LUKE 2:8-18 INTRODUCTION: CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE ON THAT NIGHT WHEN CHRIST WAS BORN? THE LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM WAS BUZZING WITH ALL THE NOISE AND CLAMOR OF AN OVERCROWDED LARGE METROPOLIS, THE RESULT OF A POLL TAX DECREED BY CAESAR ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Pain

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Jul 4, 2009

Pain is one of the unexpected gifts that God can use in our lives.

The Gift of Pain Text: Luke 5:12-16 Luke 5:12-16 -- "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." "And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of Earnest Prayer Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 7, 2020

God often does the unexpected when we’re earnest in prayer.

A week ago, I listened to the Voice of the Martyr’s podcast called VOM Radio and learned about Petr Jasek, a believer from the Czech Republic, who was imprisoned in Sudan for 14 months. He served as the Africa Regional Director for Voice of the Martyrs and traveled to Sudan on their behalf. BTW, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Hunger And Thirst For? Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Oct 3, 2024

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of hunger and thirst but threw in an unexpected twist:

October 05, 2024 What images come to your mind when you hear the 2 words hunger and thirst? Are they pleasant images? Probably not. • Hunger, by definition, is a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. • Thirst, by definition, is a feeling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6, Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 13:43-46, Luke 18:18-23

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Finish Strong PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

The themes of God's unexpected calling, the consequences of unbridled passion, and the importance of enduring till the end.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving into the heart of the Old Testament, focusing on 1 Samuel chapters 16 and 17. This is the story of a young shepherd boy named David who was called, anointed, and chosen by God to become one of the most influential kings in Israel's history. As we ...read more

Topics: King David

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

(Lesson 1) Jacob: Motivated By Fear

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Jacob wrestled all night with God and wouldn’t let Him go. Because of Jacob’s tenacity, God blessed him and changed his name to Israel, i.e., a Prince with God.

A. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 32:22-32 What an encounter is not. 1. Not a greeting, i.e., when we talk to God. 2. Not a thought, i.e., when we meditate on God. 3. Not a meeting, i.e., our scheduled communion. 4. Not incidental, i.e., something we do every day. 5. Not an answer to prayer. B. WHAT ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

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

(Lesson 3) Moses: His Face Shown

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

God said Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth, yet Moses boldly asked to see God’s glory. When he saw the backside of God, his face shone for 40 days.

A. INTRODUCTION: EXODUS 33 and 34 What frustration drove Moses to seek and encounter God? 1. Murder. "Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, (Moses killed a guard) he sought to slay Moses" (Ex. 2:15). 2. Inability. "I am not eloquent" (Ex. 4:10). 3. Complained. "The people murmured against Moses" ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Woman With The Issue Of Blood Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Dec 4, 2023

After your life falls apart, you can be changed by an encounter with Christ.

A. WHY DID SHE TOUCH JESUS: MARK 5:24-35? 1. She did not want Jesus to touch her. She thought Jesus might become unclean if He healed her with a touch. “Whoever touches her shall be unclean” (Leviticus 15:19). 2. She wanted contact. She did not want to touch Jesus, just His clothes. “… anything ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:43, Mark 5:28, James 5:14-16

Denomination: Baptist

Journey To The End Of Yourself

Contributed by Gary Washburn on May 16, 2002

You are on a journey with God. Where are you going? You are on a journey to the end of yourself. Can you hear that annoying child in the backseat saying, "Are we there yet?"

The Journey to the End of Yourself Ruth 1 Intro: A test is coming to you and me. All our religious talk is about to be examined. What we really believe God already knows. The problem is we don’t know it. Pressure, disappointments, trials will reveal to others and us what we really believe. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Like Malformed Mustard

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Mar 27, 2009

Like an unexpectedly huge mustard plant, the kingdom will grow and comfort, in unexpected ways.

Like Malformed Mustard Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God is like a VW Beetle. It is one of the smallest cars you will ever see. It is not very comfortable or powerful. It is not very stylish or practical. It is very cheap and not impressive in any way. There is no status with owning one. And yet, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Mennonite