Sermons on unexpected death:

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

The Unexpected Visitor

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 30, 2023

A Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Epiphany, Year A

January 29, 2023 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 The Unexpected Visitor Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus opens up his Sermon on the Mount with a real show-stopper. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Denomination: Lutheran

The God Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by David Ward on Oct 3, 2009

An expository message from Acts 12 on how God "shows up" in response to his people’s faith, and lack of faith.

INTRODUCTION: Arthur Burns was chair of the Federal Reserve in the 1970s, and a Jewish economist of great influence in Washington during the tenure of several Presidents. Burns was once asked to pray at a gathering of evangelical politicians. Stunning his hosts, he prayed thus: "Lord, I pray that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Hero Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 3, 2025

We are in dire need of integrity in our society, and it begins and ends with Jesus Christ and the foundation of Scripture.

Paul the Ringleader Text: Acts 24:1-9 Introduction 1. “Integrity, the choice between what is convenient and what is right” (Tony Dungy). 2. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” (C.S. Lewis). 3. “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 24, 2006

Those who were expecting God’s deliverer, the Messiah, were confused when Jesus came on the scene offering a Kingdom, not of this world as they expected, but a Kingdom to Come of Peace and Trusting Service.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 St. Matthew 11:2-10 Unexpected Messiah During the Advent Season we sang hymns and read lessons about the promised Christ, the Messiah who would deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. Many First Century followers of St. John the Baptist as well as followers of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

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

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

Unexpected Grace Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 17, 2020

Our response to those who are have false motives and who scoff at Jesus is to show unexpected grace so that the ungodly may still have an opportunity to experience God’s forgiveness and love.

Message Jude 17-25 Unexpected Grace The book of Jude takes many different and, sometimes, unexpected turns. Jude wanted to write about the wonders of salvation – instead a difficult and spiritually dangerous situation compelled him to urge the recipients to “contend for the faith”. They needed to ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God Amidst The Confusion

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 1, 2008

This is a powerful message of Hope following the tragic, unexpected death of a 16 year old girl named Amanda. Her death sent the entire community into shock. There was almost 600 people present and many students. The message was very well received.

WHERE IS GOD AMIDST THE CONFUSION? • Rev. Dave Smith (M.Div.) The Bible tells us … apart from Jesus Christ … - the wisest man who ever lived on planet earth … was King Solomon Solomon wrote: KEY " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expecting The Unexpected

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Feb 23, 2013

The greatest miracle is to be forgiven by Jesus. The greatest ministry is to bring a friend to Jesus

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED Mark 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION Have you ever been invited to a party or an event for the first time? Do you recall the feelings you had when you arrived? Were your expectations disappointing or were they more than what you could have imagined. This familiar New Testament story ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unexpected Stop Series

Contributed by Kirby Lloyd on Dec 13, 2016

This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual tailspin

Series: Destinations on the Journey of Faith Unexpected Stop Matthew 26:69–75 Intro: Leaving for a trip getting only a few miles and having a blowout… This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a hopeless case. The lease likely people in this world can become children of God, and can become leaders in the kingdom, as did this Samaritan sinner.

The unexpected is the source of so much of the joy of life. Our three year old granddaughter, Jennifer, was praying at the table a couple of weeks ago. I noticed she was going faster than usual, and she came to the end saying, "In Jesus name, amen." Then she shouted, "I win." ...read more

The Unexpected Journey Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 25, 2022

In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and provide for us as well. We just need to stay focused on him in the valley.

Cancer Journey: The Unexpected Journey! Opening Video: Unexpected Journey - Cancer to a Higher Calling Thesis: In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unexpected Journey

Contributed by Curtis Mathis on May 20, 2022

The reasons we journey are as numerous as the places to which we travel… But regardless of the where, how, and when, all our journeys have something in common…they provide us with opportunities to see, hear and learn new things…some expected…some not!

Introduction: Many things factor into the direction I take as I prepare my weekly messages. Foremost is the direction the Holy Spirt leads as I pray and seek God’s will concerning these words. 0ther factors like the Jewish calendar that leads us to Advent, Lent, and Easter as well as the changing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Child Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 17, 2021

Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday season. The original Christmas season was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God.

Series: Unexpected Christmas Thesis of Series: Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday season. The original Christmas season was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God. God loves doing ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Isaiah 55:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational