Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Unexpected Joy

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

We sing and quote that "The joy of the LORD is your strength," but learning to live it in challenging service to our King is a daily "workout" for our faith (that brings "unexpected joy").

How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I get this accomplished, I’ll focus on helping out at the church?” How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I have my degree in hand, I’ll start seriously serving the Lord” or “As soon as our church finds a building (or a pastor), I’ll really get ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: *other

Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 7): Unshakeable Joy: The Gift Of The Unexpected Jesus Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 7, 2024

Let us explore a profound truth that can change the way we live - the unshakeable joy that Jesus brings.

Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 7): Unshakeable Joy: The Gift of the Unexpected Jesus Introduction: Today, we will be exploring a profound truth that can change the way we live. We’re talking about joy—specifically, the unshakeable joy that Jesus brings. But what makes this joy so special is that it’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10, John 16:22, James 1:2-3, Philippians 4:4-5, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unexpected Gift

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 19, 2023

Israel was expecting a Messiah but not like the Messiah that came.

“Unexpected Gift” Luke 2:1-20 1. Today’s reading there was some expected things needed done • It was expected that all Israel be registered for tax purposes • It was expected that Joseph go to Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

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

Our Greatest Hope Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God may not meet our expectations in every situation, but He ultimately fulfills our greatest hopes and is always present with us, even when He seems distant.

Hey guys! Today, we're going to talk about something we all experience: disappointment. You know, those times when things don't go the way we want or expect them to. And sometimes, it feels like God isn't showing up when we need Him the most. But I want to share a story from the Bible that shows us ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-45

Topics: Unexpected Joy, Hidden Blessings, Unseen Opportunities, Hopeful Discoveries

Unexpected!

Contributed by Lynn Malone on Dec 7, 2015

John the Baptist was an unexpected person bringing an unexpected message at an unexpected time. A communion sermon for Advent.

Every one of us has certain expectations at Christmas. We expect to buy gifts and we expect to receive gifts. We expect the lights and the colors and the sights and the sounds of the season. We expect to eat a lot! We expect long lines in the department stores, and apparently this year more than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on May 5, 2025

Jesus faced some things that we may see as unexpected as he dined with a Pharisee and welcomed a motley group of followers.

There are a variety of ways in which we set expectations. Sometimes cultural norms - like a handshake or a hug - set certain expectations. Sometimes we have expectations based on tradition - for example how to set a table or what you do on holidays. You may have performance expectations set by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

“expect The Unexpected” Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

This is the first message in a series aimed at getting people to re-evaluate how they observe Christmas. I've drawn some ideas from Mike Slaughter's book "Christmas Is Not Your Birthday."

AM Sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 1, 2013 A Different Kind of Christmas sermon series Message 1 “Expect the Unexpected” Okay so I went to the store Wednesday evening to pick up a few things we were wanting to have in our Thanksgiving dinner and when I walked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unexpected Welcome - Unexpected Sin Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

After dreading the meeting - Jacob and Esau have a family reunion. But then jealousy and violence take over as Jacob’s sons do something unthinkable.

Jacob has had a really tough time - back in Padan Aram he finally left his uncle Laban, who had cheated him for 20 years. Laban would have probably killed him had God not intervened but even still Laban gives Jacob a really hard time and then makes this agreement asking that God judge Jacob if he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Joy Parasites Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jan 12, 2015

Four Parasites in Philippians 1.) The Unexpected Parasites 2.) The Human Parasite 3.) The Social Parasite 4.) The Emotional Parasite

External Parasites. - Head lice, Leeches & Ticks - Makes you feel creepy crawly Internal Parasites . A parasite is something that exists by taking from another They sneak in without notice & unexpected taking up residence in or on their host Hookworm penetrate the skin - Worms use their teeth ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected And Expecting Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 26, 2018

The Holy Spirit works quietly within us, bringing new things into being

Unexpected and Expecting Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I had the good fortune of attending a baby shower a week ago. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the advent of this little one soon to enter our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Sent Into The World

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 28, 2025

40 days after the resurrection is the ascension. But as Jesus is ascending into heaven he is sending those left behind out into the world to make disciples and to transform the world. To discover unexpected joy in serving and giving.

Sent Into the World 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My ...read more

Scripture: John 17:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Advice

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jun 2, 2025

A Pharisee offers sound advice to the council

Unexpected Advice Acts 5:29-42 Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will? In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Defeat

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 6, 2015

Unexpected Defeat

Ecclesiastes 9 v 11 & 12 Unexpected Defeat v.11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-12

Denomination: Holiness

The Tale Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Naomi came back bitter, but Ruth turned the negative into positive with trusting in the God of Naomi.

I. The Return to Bethlehem Ruth 1:6-9 1. Naomi has had good news from back home. a. The Lord had visited His people in giving them bread. 2. Three elements are revealed in the initial moments of the return. a. Naomi tells the girls to go back to Moab and return to their Moabites families. b. The ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Denomination: Baptist