Sermons on Unexpected Circumstances:

Joy Stealers – Philippians 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Apr 2, 2022

We learned about “joy stealers.” It’s a concept to which all of us can relate, since life is frequently full of circumstances that conspire to bring us down emotionally.

You know, the biggest problem that parents report that their children have is not being able to handle disappointment well. How do I know that? Because I helped design what's called the Child Behavior Inventory. It's an inventory that measures nine different areas in a child's life that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Quality Characteristics – Faith Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on May 7, 2008

This is a sermon to help build faith. 1. God does not get shook up by your STORMS. 2. God is bigger than your CIRCUMSTANCES. 3. Walking in faith builds FAITH.

Quality Characteristics – Faith Today I want us to begin by reading our focal passage. This is a story that took place with Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee. It is found in Matthew chapter eight. Follow along with me as I read: “Now when He (Jesus) got into a boat, His disciples ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are You A Little Drummer Boy? Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Dec 6, 2011

THIS PASSAGE BEFORE US TODAY LOOKS AT THE RESULT OF AN UNEXPECTED GIFT GIVEN TO SOMEONE WHO WAS, QUITE FRANKLY, LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE! We often miss opportunities God has for us, because we are looking for something else other than what God wants

ARE YOU A “LITTLE DRUMMER BOY”? ACTS 3:1-10 ONE DAY PETER AND JOHN WERE GOING UP TO THE TEMPLE AT THE TIME OF PRAYER--AT THREE IN THE AFTERNOON. 2 NOW A MAN CRIPPLED FROM BIRTH WAS BEING CARRIED TO THE TEMPLE GATE CALLED BEAUTIFUL, WHERE HE WAS PUT EVERY DAY TO BEG FROM THOSE GOING INTO THE TEMPLE ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Overcome By Obedience Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Sep 17, 2021

A truly amazing story in the OT is the promise that God made to Abram and Sarai that involved them having a son. Sarai unable to have children. The Promise was unexpected! As time went by, both of them passed the age of childbearing and there was a lot of mystery around God’s promise.

Overcome By Obedience Genesis 21:1-3; Genesis 22:1-14 Introduction A truly amazing story in the OT is the promise that God made to Abram and Sarai that involved them having a son. Sarai unable to have children. The Promise was unexpected! As time went by, both of them passed the age of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Moves In Mysterious Ways Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 11, 2006

Many people think God’s ways are so mysterious, they are beyond our understanding. Perhaps the phrase “God moves in mysterious ways” was coined because in the Bible, God often did the UNEXPECTED. God seldom acts or moves the way we think He should.

INTRODUCTION Over the past few weeks we’ve been studying popular sayings people think are in the Bible–but they aren’t. We’ve already discussed several pseudo-scriptures including, “God helps those who help themselves” and “God won’t put more on you than you can bear.” Today, we are focusing on ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Have A Clean Conscience

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 7, 2001

To lead the people to understand that those who keep a clear conscience before God will continue to enjoy His blessings despite their outward circumstances.

Unit 11 – Hard Times Lesson 30 – Joseph, A Prisoner in Egypt – Genesis 39:21-40:23 1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that those who keep a clear conscience before God will continue to enjoy His blessings despite their outward circumstances. 2. Explanation of the Aim: When people falsely ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bowed But Not Beaten

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 20, 2002

When faced with the difficulties of life, David’s words in Psalm 56 can help us to bear up under the worst of circumstances.

OPENING: A minister was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn’t say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the lad would leave. But he didn’t. Pleased at the thought that his work ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The God Of All Comfort

Contributed by Niles Lloyd on Jul 16, 2002

IN TIMES OF HEARTBREAK, TRAGEDY AND DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, WE HAVE A LOVING GOD WHO CAN COMFORT OUR HEARTS IF WE WILL TURN TO HIM.

TITLE: THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT 4/7/02 TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1 - 4 INTRO: I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE HAS EVER BEEN A MAN TO HAVE SUFFERED AS MUCH AS THE APOSTLE PAUL AND EVER LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT. PAUL AS A CHRISTIAN FACED SOME VERY HARD TIMES. HE FACED ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rivers In The Desert Series

Contributed by Norris Harris I on Jan 1, 2003

This message offers insight into How God, in the midst of hardships and seemingly impoosible circumstances, manifest the awesomeness of His power to transform lives and legacies.

“Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day, Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see -- O Thou who changest not, abide with me!” As Servants of the Sovereign Savior, Huggers of Hope and Members of the Household of Faith, it is the easiest thing to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:19

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Calling?

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Jan 12, 2003

Who are the Elis and Philips in our lives? Do we realise that God calls us often through the least likely of people and circumstances?

Sermon for 2 Epiphany, Yr B 19/01/2003 Based on I Sam 3:1-10 & Jn 1:43-51 “Who is Calling?” By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson This Sunday I want to begin by complimenting the international ecumenical committee for their wisdom and inspiration in selecting the biblical passages that they did—since ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, John 1:43-51

Denomination: Lutheran

The Power Of Vision

Contributed by Mike Hays on Nov 16, 2000

God's Sovereignty gives us vision beyond our present circumstances so that we can know His hand of love is at work.

The Power of Vision Job 42 I have been waiting to share with you the message that God has burned into my heart while I was away with my family on vacation. I have been sharing this lesson every chance I have been given since I have returned home. I shared it with our staff on Monday morning, I ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When You Hit Bottom Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 30, 2001

This is the 1st sermon in the series "Life Challenges". This sermon shows how we can still praise God even in the worst of circumstances.

Sunday Morning November 4, 2001 Bel Aire Baptist Church, Hobbs, NM Series: Life’s Challenges [#1] WHEN YOU HIT BOTTOM Job 1 Introduction: As I begin a new series this morning, I can assure you that I have prayed and prayed about what God would have me to preach. I stayed up almost all night ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph And Predestination

Contributed by Tony Grant on Oct 17, 2005

Biblical predestination is that though human beings have free will and are responsible for their sins, God works in all circumstances to bring about his will.

Joseph and Predestination Genesis 50: 15-21 05/22/05 2443 words Please turn in your Bibles to Genesis Chapter 50 and follow along as I read verses 15-21 15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, "What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Lord And The Lepers

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Sep 19, 2008

Using the circumstances surrounding Christ’s encounter with 10 lepers, this message draws comparisons between the conditions of the lepers and those of the lost sinner.

The Lord And The Lepers Text: Luke 17: 17-19 Intro: Luke 17: 11-19 is a brief, but beautiful account of the compassion, concern, and power of Christ, demonstrated on behalf of the helpless and hurting of this world. In the account under consideration today, Jesus is approached by 10 lepers, who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Calling All Lepers

Contributed by Michael Jones on Dec 6, 2007

This sermon discusses how we should be thankful to God in all circumstances and never forget His blessings even when others do.

A Universal Problem (vs. 11 -12) - Leprosy: bacterial infection that causes skin ulcers, paralysis, and gangrene - Separated from society (leprosy villages) - Could not come in contact with Jesus A Universal Need (vs. 13) - All were in need of mercy - All were in need of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ