Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

The God Who Heals In Unexpected Ways Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 16, 2025

Naaman’s story teaches that healing is not about status, expectations, or emotions. It is about humility, obedience, and faith.

THE GOD WHO HEALS IN UNEXPECTED WAYS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Supporting Texts: Exodus 15:26; Psalm 103:3; Matthew 8:1-3; Isaiah 55:8-9; James 5:14-16 INTRODUCTION: Naaman was a highly decorated military general—valiant, respected, and a man of influence. Yet, behind the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Greater Joy

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 4, 2024

Joy is something deeper than happiness. And the apostle John speaks of having no greater joy when writing the letter that we know as Third John.

Alba 11-3-2024 NO GREATER JOY III John 1-4 Have you ever been surprised by joy? Something happens when you least expect it, even in the midst of otherwise sad feelings or grief, and joy comes, at least for a moment? That feeling was expressed by William Wordsworth, one of the most renowned ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection Joy! Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Mar 11, 2016

We are going to go through a couple chapters of Scripture from the Gospel of John that takes us from the crucifixion of Jesus to His resurrection from the grave.

A quote from C.S. Lewis says, “Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us…like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God, You Want Me To Do What? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 9, 2013

This is the fourth message in a series based on Moses and shows that being God's man is never easy. This message examines how God often calls us out of our comfort zones.

The majority of us would agree that failure is quite unpleasant. In fact failure often causes guilt and ultimately shame. Guilt and shame have the ability to paralyze us, make us feel unworthy and believe that God could never use us. These feelings often cause us to respond to God in three negative ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What To Say When We Don't Know What To Say - Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 30, 2021

When someone passes away unexpectedly, we often are left without knowing what to say. Through the story of Lazarus' death, we can see some things we can say when we do not know what to say.

“What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say” Introduction There are not many times when I am left speechless. I’m often told that I have a tendency to not be quiet and listen — that I actually talk too much. When I first heard of Debbie’s passing, however, I found myself without words to say. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-36, John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Can I Say? A Graveside Service

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 6, 2021

What do we do or say when someone is taken from us unexpecrtedly?

There are times that we don’t know what to say. This is one of those times. ___ died unexpectedly and we are speechless. • We don’t understand why this happened. • We can speculate but we don’t know. • We are left frustrated, angry, and sorrowful. Words seem inadequate, even well-intentioned ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprise: It's Not What I Expected

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 15, 2018

Life does not always happen the way we plan it or expect it to follow. We have to remember that God's plan is for us to decrease so that Jesus might increase. We Look at the life of John the Baptist

Surprise--It’s Not What I Expected by Rick Gillespie-Mobley Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-66 6/10/2018 Text Matthew 11:1-11:11 Surprised, It’s Not What I Expected! Have you ever been surprised, but in a negative sort of way. Your hopes got really high for something, but when it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Ehud

Contributed by Austin Lamos on May 23, 2019

This Sermon is about the story of Ehud, an early judge of the tribes of Israel. Through the story of Ehud we learn that God can enter into our scenarios so that we can be delivered, and that God often delivers people in unexpected ways.

Ehud Joshua 3:15-30 - 12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.[a] ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-30

Denomination: Nazarene

To Touch God Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 6, 2019

What does it mean to touch/encounter God

All Scripture quoted in this lesson is from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted A. What Does It Mean To Touch/Encounter God? 1. You intentionally meet or encounter God. 2. In a time of great need. 3. Through unexpected circumstances. 4. When God reveals something about Himself (or His plan ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1, Exodus 33:18, Judges 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Overflowing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2022

Joy is the inevitable result for the one who is obedient to the will of the Living God.

“Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Joy 3: A Joy That Is Full Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 6, 2021

In Part 3 of this series we examine what it will take to have a joy that is full. This is the joy that God desires for us to have - but do we really want it bad enough to do what it takes to get it?

The Power of Joy – Part 3 A Joy That Is Full Scripture: Second Corinthians 6:10; 1 John 1:1-4; John 5:19, 39 Last week a program was aired about the race riots that took place in my hometown of Columbia, Tennessee 75 years ago. The book, “No More Social Lynchings” by Robert Ikard also ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10, 1 John 1:1-4, John 5:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Joy - A Visionary View Of Joy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 10, 2023

On this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming.

A Visionary View of Joy Dear friends, on this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming. Today, our hearts are drawn to the transformative power of joy as we explore ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5, Philippians 4:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Reawakening Joy Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Dec 14, 2002

Part 2 of series based on Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol"

SLIDE 1 Welcome to Bethany on this second Sunday of Advent as we continue to prepare for the coming of Christ. We have many activities to look forward to. Tonight the youth are inviting you to go Christmas Caroling. 8:30 - Maybe something like this might happen if you go along. SHOW ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Methodist

Jumping For Joy

Contributed by Chuck Carlson on Dec 20, 2002

Joy is the result of gratitude in light of God’s grace to our guilt.

“Jumping for Joy” Luke 1:67-79 • What makes people jump for joy? A winning basket? Graduation? A new bike? • What makes you jump for joy? For Scrooge, it was more money! • Zachariah was jumping for joy in our text, but it was more than for a baby boy. Zach and Elizabeth had waited a long time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 3, 2003

Today, amid all the laughter of entertainment, parties and such we are a joyless society. I like joy; I like the genuine kind that starts deep down within and bubbles up to the surface. It is irrepressible, unstoppable and it is what Jesus died to bring

January 5, 2003 1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist