Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

The Kingdom Like Malformed Mustard

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Mar 27, 2009

Like an unexpectedly huge mustard plant, the kingdom will grow and comfort, in unexpected ways.

Like Malformed Mustard Mark 4:30-32 The kingdom of God is like a VW Beetle. It is one of the smallest cars you will ever see. It is not very comfortable or powerful. It is not very stylish or practical. It is very cheap and not impressive in any way. There is no status with owning one. And yet, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:30-32

Denomination: Mennonite

You Are Highly Favoured

Contributed by Lola Olanrewaju on Sep 1, 2017

To be higly favoured means an uncommon, an unusual and an unexpected  blessings will pursue and locate you.

YOU ARE HIGHLY FAVOURED ! I've heard people saying this words lots of times when greeting each other . Most of us even say it without realising the power behind the words. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HIGHLY FAVOURED? Favour is defined as approval, a kindly helpful act beyond what you deserve or ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Lessons From The Life Of Abraham (4-5)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 27, 2022

We all have had some strange unexpected things happen to us.

Illus: A lady was walking down the street to work and she saw a parrot on a perch in front of a pet store, and to her surprise, the parrot said to her, • "Hey lady, you are really ugly," The lady was furious! She stormed past the store to her work. • On the way home she saw the same ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Losing Track Of God Series

Contributed by John Allen on Jun 10, 2025

Sometimes God does such unexpected things that we get confused and frustrated with him.

[Statements in brackets are for the preacher not the preaching. They are notes that reflect ideas based on the homiletics recommended in "Preach with No Pants" (https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/preach-with-no-pants-john-allen-sermon-on-inductive-250167) which proposes an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

The Blessing Of Remembering - Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 13, 2024

It is a strange land when you try to whole on to joy and one another while your hearts are filled with grief. Yet be assured that God will not abandon us because we are in a strange land. There are some keys for thriving in a strange Land.

Subject: The Blessing of Remembering Text: Psalm 137:1-6 “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:1-6, Psalm 137:1-6, Psalm 118:5-9

Denomination: Methodist

Unseen Potential Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 30, 2013

The series of appearances by Jesus after his resurrection culminates in a most unexpected way with a most unexpected person -- Saul of Tarsus. The impact that this made on the primer persecutor of the Way changed his life and the lives of others forever!

1. Jeremy Lin clip ¨C Unseen potential http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUViw41Q7Hs&feature=related (We used the first 2:17 minutes of this online video. It¡¯s a series of highlights of Jeremy Lin¡¯s powerful game-winning performance against the New Jersey Nets February 4th, 2012) What you just ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seeking The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 6): The Urgency Of God’s Invitation Isaiah 55:6 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 5, 2024

Isaiah 55:6 is a divine invitation for every one of us to draw near to God, not later, not tomorrow, but right now.

Seeking the Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 6): The Urgency of God’s Invitation Isaiah 55:6 Introduction: Today, we will explore a verse that speaks to the urgency of seeking God—Isaiah 55:6, which says, “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” (NLT) This is a divine ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 6:33, John 14:23, Proverbs 27:1, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 3:15, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 34 – The Unexpected Happened And Corruption Everywhere - Chapter 4:12-13 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 14, 2025

No one thought Jerusalem would be defeated – that was what the world thought! Religious society was so evil. We look at corruption in our western world, from governments to people. The world will worsen and judgement is coming very quickly. Australia and the United States.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 34 – THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENED AND CORRUPTION EVERYWHERE - CHAPTER 4:12-13 In our last message we looked at a whole lot of misery for the survivors of the Babylonian holocaust. That was one of the saddest messages we could give. However contained in it would be ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:12, Hosea 4:16-17, Jeremiah 3:6-10, Psalm 100:4-5, Psalm 107:13-16, Lamentations 4:13, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 24:37-39, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 6:11-12, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Isaiah 9:14-15, Isaiah 28:7, Jeremiah 2:8, Jeremiah 4:9, Jeremiah 5:13, Ezekiel 22:25-26, Ezekiel 13:2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You Overcome? Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Aug 5, 2018

Saints overcome the dragon with two, maybe unexpected, weapons-the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.

Revelation 12 v. 7 And there was war in heaven, and Michael and his angels warred with the dragon, and the dragon warred with his angels 8. and he did not have strength, nor a was a place found for them any longer in heaven. 9. and the great dragon was thrown out, the old serpent, who is called the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:7-12

Denomination: *other

When You Feel Worthless - Psalm 8:3-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 17, 2025

You are what God says you are, not what you feel like you are. And the solution to feeling worthless is not feeling important; it’s feeling loved.

Psalm 8: For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. 1 O Yahweh our Adonai, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4

Transformed By Truth: "be Patient When It Gets Weird" Matthew 1:18-25 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jun 12, 2024

Matthew 1:18-25 teaches us about patience, trust, and obedience when life takes unexpected turns. Joseph waited for God's guidance even when things got confusing.

Transformed by Truth: "Be Patient When It Gets Weird" Matthew 1:18-25 (NLT) Introduction Today, we are going to delve into a story from the Gospel of Matthew that teaches us about patience, trust, and obedience when life takes unexpected turns. Our focus will be on how Joseph reacted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew 1:18-19, Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 1:20-21, Psalm 32:8, Matthew 1:24-25, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Divine Helpers In Unlikely Places Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 11, 2025

God often provides help from unexpected sources and through people we least expect. Divine helpers do not always come as wealthy benefactors or influential figures. Sometimes, they are found in unlikely places—individuals whom society has overlooked, rejected, or considered insignificant.

DIVINE HELPERS IN UNLIKELY PLACES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-2 "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 22:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Funeral Sermon: When Good People Die Young Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 5, 2025

As we reflect on the untimely death of a good person, let us remember that their departure is not in vain, and God has a purpose that is beyond our understanding.

Funeral Sermon: WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DIE YOUNG By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 57:1-2 (KJV) The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 57:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Find Joy In The Journey - Love - 1 John 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 10, 2019

The discovery of Love and the actions of love opens up our eyes to see Jesus, to hear Jesus and to touch Jesus, but the action of hate causes us to be blind to Jesus, deaf to Jesus and out of touch with Jesus. Love puts us in the light while hate traps us in darkness.

Transition Video: Dennis Swanberg – Easter Sunday Series: Find Joy in the Journey in 2019 Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-29, John 13:34, Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Really Live! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jan 27, 2016

Do you want real joy in the face of any adversity? Then pursue the advancement of the Gospel and the exaltation of Christ above anything else.

Maria Brunner's husband was unemployed, so she supported their three young children by cleaning other people's houses. However, even without a job, her husband managed to run up quite a number of unpaid parking tickets. The bill totaled nearly $5,000. Mr. Brunner kept the tickets a secret from his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free