Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Five Things God Would Have You Do For Thanksgiving!

Contributed by Jim Mccutchen on Jun 23, 2010

I want to give you five fundamental facts for maintaining a posture of praise anda spirit of Gratitude all taken out of Psalms 100:1-5

FIVE THINGS GOD WOULD HAVE YOU DO FOR THANKSGIVING! You may identify with the little boy I heard about. On his return from a school party, his mother asked him, “Bobby, did you thank the teacher for the party?” The boy answered, “ Well, I was going to. But the girl ahead of me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Christian Church

John Chapter 9 Part 3 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 5, 2013

Jesus heals the man born blind. Jesus sometimes accomplishes His miracles in unexpected ways and almost always requires our participation.

John 9:1-12 “As [Jesus] went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:6-12

Denomination: Nazarene

From Epiphany To Transfiguration

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 29, 2017

An epiphany is a sudden and unexpected revelation. Transfiguration is seeing Jesus in all His glory. It is His righteousness which prepares us to face God.

FROM EPIPHANY TO TRANSFIGURATION. Psalm 50:1-6. An epiphany is a wonderful, unpredictable thing. It is defined as a sudden and unexpected revelation. It is not something that we come to expect, or can hunt down. Not something that we can earn through works, or prayers, or religious rites. Or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mystery Of God's Mercy Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Feb 27, 2020

Have you ever watched a movie that had an unexpected ending? The bad guy got away it. The villain was not punished. The hero dies.

Jonah – Chapter 4 The Mystery of God’s Mercy March 1, 2020 Have you ever watched a movie that had an unexpected ending? The bad guy got away it. The villain was not punished. The hero dies. Jonah 4:1-4 NIV But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD, “Isn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-4, Proverbs 10:12, Jonah 4:11, Luke 19:41-42, Exodus 34:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Desperate Men Discover Divine Provision Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 17, 2025

This powerful passage teaches us that God often uses the least likely people and unexpected situations to fulfil His purpose and bring breakthrough.

WHEN DESPERATE MEN DISCOVER DIVINE PROVISION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Kings 7:3-11 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:27; Psalm 34:8-10; Romans 8:28; Isaiah 55:8-9; Luke 15:17-20 INTRODUCTION: Samaria was under siege, and famine had ravaged the land so severely that people resorted to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The God Who Brings Water Out Of A Rock Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Sep 19, 2025

God has unlimited power to provide, even from the most impossible and unexpected sources, when His people trust Him completely.

THE GOD WHO BRINGS WATER OUT OF A ROCK By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Exodus 17:1-7 Key Verse: “He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.” – Psalm 105:41 Supporting Texts: Numbers 20:7-11; Isaiah 43:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Thrill Of Hope

Contributed by David Dunn on Dec 21, 2025

Christmas reveals God’s unstoppable light, breaking chains and restoring hope through unlikely people, unexpected places, and redeeming love.

There are certain songs we hear so often that they begin to fade into the background. They become part of the seasonal wallpaper—pleasant, familiar, predictable. Christmas music, especially, can do that to us. You hear it in grocery stores. In elevators. On hold with customer service. Played ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:9-11, Isaiah 9:2, John 1:5, Galatians 3:28, 2 Corinthians 5:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When You Least Expect Him Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of Jesus's unexpected return as taught in the Bible, encouraging believers to live in hopeful anticipation of God's presence in their daily lives.

Have you ever struggled with doubts about faith? I want to introduce you to a guy named John Wesley who lived in England from 1703-1791. He was the 15th of 19 kids, and his mom homeschooled them all. His father was a pastor in the Anglican Church, and John himself became a pastor in that same ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Topics: Expectant Hope, End-Time Theology, Present-Day Living

Offended By Grace Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard, highlighting the unexpected grace of the landowner and how such grace can either offend or inspire us.

We’re going to let Jesus be our teacher today by listening to one of his parables about the kingdom of God. Your Bible may have a heading for Matthew 20:1-16 entitled, “The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard,” but I want to point out that this parable is less about the workers in the vineyard ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Topics: Grace, Divine Generosity, Offense

Wrong Questions, Right Answer

Contributed by John Dickey on May 16, 2006

Jesus ends the whys and wherefores of our burdened hearts – not with explanations so much as with loving, perfect restoration – making all things right, maybe not here, but absolutely in heaven – a real place, a steadfast promise, a rock-solid guarantee f

Wandering through the phenomenal collection of art in the Louvre museum you can get an odd sense of awe and futility. This former residence of Napoleon is just so packed full with mankind’s creative treasures, it numbs the mind. Crowds gather around the Mona Lisa while the rooms of renaissance ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You’re Alive! Act Like It - Ecclesiastes 9:2-10:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 26, 2025

It’s better to be alive in a painful life than to be dead. This passage explains why and teaches us how to seize the day and enjoy life through relationships and work.

9:1 Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: the righteous, the wise, and their works are in God's hands. People don't know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them. 2 Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, ...read more

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is Serving God A Sacrifice? Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 6, 2025

“Sacrifice” for God is appropriate only when driven by joy. God must always remain the benefactor when we serve.

Review “Seeking” is the effort we put forth to fulfill longing and desire for God. And for seeking to work, God, rather than something else, must be the object of the desire and seeking, and the seeking must be earnest. Such earnestness comes in large measure from emotion – both negative and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:2

Star Of Wonder

Contributed by David Simpson on Dec 19, 2014

A message about the reaction of the wise men to the star of Bethlehem. The joy they experienced must be ours when we worship Jesus.

Sermon Lanier Christian Church December 21, 2014 David Simpson Star of Wonder Matthew 2:1-11 There are a lot of symbols at the Christmas season. All represent something. Santa Claus, mistletoe, wreaths, candles, etc. I've always admired the beauty of poinsettias, and decided to do a little ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian Church

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