Sermons on unexpected joy:

Responding To The Unexpected

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on May 10, 2018

Many Christians are not prepared spiritually for the attacks of the enemy. This message, taken from 2 Chronicles 20, gives six things we can do to prepare ourselves from the enemy's attacks.

Many of you are much too young to remember the 1965 title bout between the Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali and the man he defeated for the title, Sonny Liston a year earlier. Ali knocked Liston out in the first round with a right cross to his left temple that he never saw coming. Ali’s punch ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expecting The Unexpected

Contributed by Ralph Juthman on Feb 23, 2013

The greatest miracle is to be forgiven by Jesus. The greatest ministry is to bring a friend to Jesus

EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED Mark 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION Have you ever been invited to a party or an event for the first time? Do you recall the feelings you had when you arrived? Were your expectations disappointing or were they more than what you could have imagined. This familiar New Testament story ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Unexpected Jesus

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 25, 2013

What do you expect from Jesus? The people, disciples, and the religious leaders had some very specific expectations of Jesus on Palm Sunday. He shattered all of them, just as He shatters our expectations as well. And that's a good thing!

John 12:1-2, 9-19 Jesus performed an incredible miracle in raising Lazarus. It made huge waves. It wasn’t the first person Jesus raised, but it was the first who had been raised after the Jewish belief that the soul had left the body. According to the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-44

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Unexpected Jesus

Contributed by Theresa Ratliff on Mar 25, 2013

Do our expectations of who Jesus should be keep us from seeing who he really is?

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about this story that has always bothered me. How on earth could Mary Magdeline, who has been one of Jesus’s closest friends, look right at him and doesn’t recognize him? Isn’t that like…the president of the George ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: *other

An Unexpected Tapestry

Contributed by Donavon Hill on Oct 9, 2017

From the story of Joseph, God used the very same threads the enemy had used to weave defeat into Joseph's life and wove what would become an unexpected tapestry. Look a little deeper into your own story and you'll see how God is doing the same for you.

Please stand for the reading of the Word . . . Genesis 45 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:5-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Unexpected Stop Series

Contributed by Kirby Lloyd on Dec 13, 2016

This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual tailspin

Series: Destinations on the Journey of Faith Unexpected Stop Matthew 26:69–75 Intro: Leaving for a trip getting only a few miles and having a blowout… This destination leaves us wondering what in the world just happened…there is often a crisis that seems to put into a spiritual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection Unexpected

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 1, 2013

No one really expected the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we focus on the expectations of two of those who first saw Jesus: John and Mary. What they expected, and how Jesus actually met them, can help your relationship with Jesus too.

No one saw it coming. No one. On the Sunday following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ no one really expected what happened (or at least it they didn’t fully comprehend it). They should have. Shortly after confirming to His men that He was the Messiah, Jesus said: Mark 8:31 “The Son of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

An Unexpected Honor Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Jul 8, 2023

No good deed goes unnoticed.

In Esther 6, King Xerxes was having trouble sleeping so he asked that the book of the records of the chronicles be read. During the reading, it was discovered that Mordecai was the one who had told of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes from Esther 2:21-23. King Xerxes asked what honor or dignity ...read more

Unexpected Grace Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 17, 2020

Our response to those who are have false motives and who scoff at Jesus is to show unexpected grace so that the ungodly may still have an opportunity to experience God’s forgiveness and love.

Message Jude 17-25 Unexpected Grace The book of Jude takes many different and, sometimes, unexpected turns. Jude wanted to write about the wonders of salvation – instead a difficult and spiritually dangerous situation compelled him to urge the recipients to “contend for the faith”. They needed to ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Hero Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Apr 3, 2025

We are in dire need of integrity in our society, and it begins and ends with Jesus Christ and the foundation of Scripture.

Paul the Ringleader Text: Acts 24:1-9 Introduction 1. “Integrity, the choice between what is convenient and what is right” (Tony Dungy). 2. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” (C.S. Lewis). 3. “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 24:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

An Unexpected Journey

Contributed by Curtis Mathis on May 20, 2022

The reasons we journey are as numerous as the places to which we travel… But regardless of the where, how, and when, all our journeys have something in common…they provide us with opportunities to see, hear and learn new things…some expected…some not!

Introduction: Many things factor into the direction I take as I prepare my weekly messages. Foremost is the direction the Holy Spirt leads as I pray and seek God’s will concerning these words. 0ther factors like the Jewish calendar that leads us to Advent, Lent, and Easter as well as the changing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Unexpected Journey Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 25, 2022

In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and provide for us as well. We just need to stay focused on him in the valley.

Cancer Journey: The Unexpected Journey! Opening Video: Unexpected Journey - Cancer to a Higher Calling Thesis: In this life we will encounter unexpected journeys! In these twists and turns of the journey of life the Lord is there to guide us on these paths, to comfort us, give us peace and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 48:14, Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 6, 2023

Life is unpredictable, so expect to be surprised.

A few years ago (2017), authorities apprehended a group of Minnesota teens for attempting to steal a cake from a local grocery store. The teens were embarrassed, but even more so when they discovered the cake was fake—it was a cardboard display cake. The grocery store owner decided not to press ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How To Cope With Life’s Unexpected Twist And Turns

Contributed by Paul Smith on Jan 8, 2023

We often feel powerless when faced with unexpected events, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do.

How To Cope With Life’s Unexpected Twist And Turns I. Introduction Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and it can be difficult to cope with these changes. We often feel powerless when faced with unexpected events, and it's natural to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. II. ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 41:10

"Joy Comes In The Morning.”

Contributed by Allen Crosby on Aug 21, 2023

Many times, life come at you fast and unexpected. King David wrote the Psalm we are going to look at today, during a time of celebration. It was written at the dedication of the house of David.

I. The Psalmist Anguish A. David experience renewal 1. I will extol You, O Lord… 2. I will exalt you. 3. This Psalm begins with exaltation and in Verse 12 it ends with thanksgiving. 4. Why does David Exalt the Lord and give Him Thanks? 5. Many believe that David may have experience a terrible ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12