Sermons on Unexpected Circumstances:

(Lesson 10) Mary Magdalene: Taught By Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Mary came to the garden to care for a corpse. When she saw Jesus, she hung on to His physical feet to renew the love she had for Him before the cross. In an encounter with Christ, she learned that she would relate to Him "in the Spirit" in the future.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Women came to the tomb. "Very early in the morning they (the women (23:55) came early unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain other women with them" (Luke 24:1). 2. Mary Magdalene was the leader. She was mentioned first (Mark 16:1 and Matt. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

(Lesson 11) Saul: Becoming A Follower Of Christ

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Apr 10, 2003

Paul hated Christians, yet encountered Christ on the road to Damascus where his life was transformed. Paul received his commission from this experience.

A. BACKGROUND 1. Perfect birth. "Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews" (Phil. 3:5). 2. Perfect life. "As touching the law, a Pharisee . . . touching righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Phil. 3:5,6). 3. Best teacher. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:5-14

Denomination: Baptist

Peter Denies His Lord Lesson 31 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 14, 2017

Jesus Encounters Peter

A. PETER’S BACKSLIDING 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 ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-17

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

Being Content In Every Situation

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 23, 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

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

Rejection As God's Protection Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Sep 25, 2025

This sermon explores the concept of rejection as God's protection, providing biblical insights and examples.

Rejection is a universal human experience that can leave us feeling hurt, confused, and uncertain about our future. However, from a biblical perspective, rejection can sometimes be seen as a form of God's protection. This sermon explores the concept of rejection as God's protection, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

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 25, 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