Sermons on unexpected news:

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

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

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

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

Unexpected Converts

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Grace. Those most people thought were least likely to become God’s people are the ones who come to Christ; while the ones often thought to be most likely became his enemies.

Two of the surprises that we come across as we read the New Testament are the people who become close to Jesus, and the people who are alienated from Jesus. It is surprising because it is exactly the opposite of what we would expect to find. We would expect Jesus to be close to the religious folk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Methodist

Christ Unexpected

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Mar 16, 2010

Christ was not what was expected more than two thousand years ago. His background, His outlook, His mission and His death were not what was expected. But it was all as God had planned.

Christ Unexpected 12/14/08 PM Text: John 7:41 Introduction It’s not unusual for people to be guided by expectations. Our bosses have expectations, teachers have expectations. We have expectations for our spouses, our children; sometimes our expectations may actually match theirs. The key to ...read more

Scripture: John 7:41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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 Gift Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Sep 10, 2014

What is the real significance of the healing of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate?

An Unexpected Gift Acts 3:1-10 Another day had dawned. The man’s friends arrive early to pick him up and take him to the Temple. They brought the man to the Temple door. But he does not enter in. you see, he is a crippled man, and crippled men were not allowed in the Temple. He could come to the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Unexpected Guests

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 22, 2010

Jesus wants us to always be ready and unafraid of helping the lost come to Him.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Have you ever come home from a long day at work, just wanting to relax? Maybe you have put in many hours at the office or in the factory. • On your way home, you envision a scene where you come home and put up your feet turn on the television and read ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:30-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Unexpected Funeral

Contributed by Steve Greene on Oct 19, 2020

This is a funeral for a man in his mid-fifties that passed away unexpectedly.

Michael Brown On behalf of the entire Brown family, I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for being here this afternoon. One week ago right now, none of us expected to be here today. But people have rearranged schedules, taken off work, and traveled many miles to be here for this ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:11-13, John 1:12, John 14:6, 1 John 1:9, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:13, James 4:8, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 10:9-10, Mark 2:1-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Unexpected Lamb

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at Revelation 5 and the all conquering lion who turns out to be a lamb that was slain, the paradox at the heart of Christianity and what it means for us in our daily struggle.

Introduction This morning we’re going to find out about a lion. A great big powerful victorious lion. So I thought I’d bring along an example. Now you need to be careful I don’t want to frighten anyone, so be warned this is one ferocious lion I’ve got back here. It gave me quite a bit of bother on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Holiness

An Unexpected Sunday Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 1, 2018

After Friday nobody expected what would happen on Sunday

Nobody had expected this. It was only two days ago that the people of Jerusalem had watched as Jesus had been crucified as a heretic and a traitor to Rome. For three years Jesus had travelled throughout Israel. Preaching, teaching, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He had quieted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003

50-DAY SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE - JONAH

Introduction: Veggie-tales Jonah, “Our God is a God of Second Chances” Our God is a God of second chances–and third, and fourth, and so on! The mercy and grace of God is greater than all of our sin. Regardless of who you are or what you have done, God is ready to let you start over again. We ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 27, 2011

God's purposes prevail even when our plans don't.

Expect the Unexpected Romans 15:22-29 Rev. Brian Bill 3/27/11 When the unexpected happens, we’re prone to either become exasperated or to make excuses. Here are some actual unedited excuses received by a public school. “My son is under the doctor’s care and should not take P.E. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:22-29

Denomination: Baptist