Sermons on Unexpected Events:

The Application Tested Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Sep 5, 2014

Trials, Perseverance, Faith

LIFE APP – The Application Tested James 1:1-18 (p. 847) September 7, 2014 Introduction: Max Lucado, in his book In the Eye of the Storm, tells the story of Chippie the Parakeet. He writes: "Chippie the Parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Attempts To Bury The Truth

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jan 21, 2010

The history of our world has demonstrated that earthly kings tend to be very vulnerable people who sit upon uneasy thrones that are subject to topple in the most unexpected ways.

Attempts to Bury the Truth Matthew 2:6- 18 NIV This past week in Canada we have seen our National Government decide to prorogue parliament. That's like the U.S. Senate closing shop for a 3 month unscheduled break. Many people are upset about this decision and see it as a blatant disregard to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:6-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Saved From Sin Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

The sermon explores the story of Mary and Joseph leading up to the birth of Christ, emphasizing the significance of the names Immanuel and Jesus, and how they reflect God's relational nature and His power to save us from sin.

Hello church! Today we’re going to look at a story from the gospel of Matthew about circumstances leading up to the birth of Christ. Unexpected events are unfolding in the lives of Mary and Joseph who were two very ordinary people. There was nothing spectacular about them. They weren’t famous, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Topics: Immanuel, Sin Salvation, God's Presence

Easter's Surprises

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 1, 2001

What God does is eternal -- We are surprised by significance. What God does is impossible -- We are surprised by power. What God does is unexpected -- We are surprised by joy.

I will never forget walking into the funeral home several years ago to meet with the family who had just lost a 40-year-old son and husband. He was not dressed in a typical suit, but a pair of bib overhauls and a dirty ball cap. He had died of a heart attack, but in the pocket of his ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist

God's Assassin Series

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Aug 30, 2010

After a short story based on Judges 3 to introduce the text, this sermon notes how God uses unexpected leaders and how God's leaders overturn idols.

In an attempt to capture some of the drama of this passage, I want to attempt something different as an introduction to the text. I hope you’ll follow along in your Bibles when I get to the meat of the sermon, but I thought I’d introduce the sermon by reading a short story I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-31

Denomination: *other

Safe In The Storm Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Apr 30, 2012

Life is often filled with storms. We must learn to find Christ as our “safety in the storm.”

The Gospel of Mark #12 – “Safe in the Storm” Mark 4:35-41 Intro – 1. ILL – October 1991 a fishing boat named the Andrea Gail sailed from a New England port to fish for swordfish. On their return, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean they faced a hurricane named Grace. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Paul’s Argument For A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Of The Church

Contributed by Jack Woodard on Jun 5, 2015

Paul makes the argument for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture by showing us the three events that must first take place. Paul shows us that the Rapture is one of those events.

TITLE:THE NEXT THREE GREAT EVENTS THE LORD HAS PROPHESIED MUST COME TO PASS BEFORE THE TRIBULATION PERIOD BEGINS [PAUL’S ARGUMENT FOR THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH] TEXT: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Message Of Hope For Good Friday, Resurrection Day And Beyond

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Mar 25, 2024

The celebrations of this week makes us reflect on the importance of two past events and one future event. Dr. Madana Kumar brings out the hope that we have as Christians

A message of Hope | Good Friday | Resurrection Day During the next week, we will celebrate two of the key founding events of Christianity. The Good Friday and the Easter / Resurrection Sunday. What makes these two events special? Paul established several churches during his three missionary ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, John 17:24, Matthew 16:13-22, Matthew 16:18-19, Hebrews 9:16-17, John 14:1-2, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Colossians 3:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Until Christ Is Formed In You”: Multiplying Jesus In Us And Through Us

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Oct 8, 2025

This is a message at a pastors retreat, meant to pull together key aspects of the training in this event. The event was focussed on multiplication of disciples, and this message is focussed on Christ being formed, or multiplied, in us

“Until Christ Is Formed in You”: Multiplying Jesus in Us and Through Us Text: Galatians 4:19; Colossians 3:1–17 After all we’ve experienced so far on this retreat, I thought it would be good for us to reflect on the multiplication of Christ—both within our own lives and within His people, the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17, Galatians 4:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparing For The Present Troubles And The Joy Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Nov 4, 2021

This message focuses around the events of John 14:1-6 when Jesus was preparing his disciples for the events ahead of them that night, throughout life, and preparing for heaven.

PREPARING FOR THE PRESENT TROUBLES, AND THE JOY OF HEAVEN John 14 Greenmount and O’Leary Churches of Christ September 20, 2021 Video Link: https://youtu.be/6YY1guN-YIs I) JESUS WAS PREPARING THEM FOR THE EVENTS AHEAD THAT NIGHT. 1) Let not your hearts be troubled (14:1a.) A) In one sense there ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, John 14:15-27, Revelation 21:16, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Power Outflowing From His Resurrection

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 1, 2018

The resurrection of Jesus affects all space and time. Because of Jesus' resurrection we don't have to be afraid, we can expect the unexpected, and we can have a fresh start.

THE POWER OUTFLOWING FROM HIS RESURRECTION Mt. 28:2-6; Luke 24:36-43; Phip. 3:10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: APRIL FOOL’S DAY JOKES 1. In 1976 the British astronomer Patrick Moore made an announcement on BBC Radio. He said this: “At 9:47 a.m. today there will be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ astronomical ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:2-6, Luke 24:36-43

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Passion According To The Centurion Series

Contributed by David Cain on May 4, 2013

A centurion recognised God on the cross. How did he see the events that led to his conclusion?

The Passion by the Centurion Although today is Palm Sunday, this is one of the rare times when we hear a reading of the passion on a Sunday. As you will have heard, it is a long reading and one which I thought would stand best on its own. The events told in the reading are those which brought Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-49

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

I Have Seen The Lord! Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Apr 11, 2023

This is the narrative of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This was such a radical event in human history that it turned the world upside down.

1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Friend In The Midnight Hour

Contributed by Charles Mccall on Jul 6, 2003

When something unexpected happens late in the midnight hour of our lives, we have in friend in Jesus Christ who can come to our rescue.

St. Luke 11:1-13 Topic: A friend in the midnight hour In these passages of scriptures, we see Jesus Christ in a certain place praying to His Father in heaven. As He prayed to his Father in heaven, one of his disciples watched and heard Jesus praying, and when Jesus finished praying, that same ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Scientific Evidence That God Answers Prayer

Contributed by John Gaston on May 14, 2025

Millions of people testify of specific answers to prayer — healed relationships, unexpected provisions, physical healing, or guidance. This is a compiling of scientific studies that show the effects of prayer.

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE THAT GOD ANSWERS PRAYER Millions of people testify of specific answers to prayer — healed relationships, unexpected provisions, physical healing, or guidance. Common stories include money or food showing up just when needed, dramatic encounters after praying for help, peace or ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God