Sermons on Unexpected Places:

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

Unexpected And Expecting Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 26, 2018

The Holy Spirit works quietly within us, bringing new things into being

Unexpected and Expecting Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I had the good fortune of attending a baby shower a week ago. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the advent of this little one soon to enter our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

Expecting The Unexpected

Contributed by Kim Gilliland on Oct 18, 2000

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8 FATHERS' DAY CARDS Last week, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

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

The Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 10, 2006

Everyone was hoping for, even expecting, the Messiah in Jesus’ day. But, he disappointed everyone, thought Messiah would come as a conqueror. Isaiah’s first Servant Song shows their expectations to have been badly misinformed.

Psalm 89:1-16, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-38, Mark 1:7-11 The Unexpected Messiah In the May 29, 2005 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a story ran concerning a courthouse puzzle. The story in that paper begins like this: “In the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where plaintiffs, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

An Unexpected Friday Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Apr 1, 2018

Of all the things that were expected to happen the Friday after the triumphant entry, nobody expected these things.

An Unexpected Friday Nobody had expected this. It was only five days ago that the people of Jerusalem had welcomed Jesus as their Messiah. For three years Jesus had travelled throughout Israel. Preaching, teaching, healing the sick and feeding the hungry. He had quieted storms and cast out ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21-32

Denomination: Wesleyan

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

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

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a hopeless case. The lease likely people in this world can become children of God, and can become leaders in the kingdom, as did this Samaritan sinner.

The unexpected is the source of so much of the joy of life. Our three year old granddaughter, Jennifer, was praying at the table a couple of weeks ago. I noticed she was going faster than usual, and she came to the end saying, "In Jesus name, amen." Then she shouted, "I win." ...read more

Unexpected News Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 28, 2021

Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday. The original Christmas was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God. God loves doing the unexpected.

Video Transition: Mary did you know video! Series: Unexpected Christmas Thesis of Series: Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday. The original Christmas was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-55, Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Doors

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jun 11, 2001

There are times when the Holy Spirit opens unexpected doors in our lives when we follow God

Unexpected Doors Acts 16:6-11 June 10, 2001 Morning Service Introduction I. Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." II. The Roles of the Spirit  He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Unexpected Guests

Contributed by Eric Keller on Nov 24, 2010

Are you prepared for Christ when he returns?

UNEXPECTED GUESTS Matthew 24:36-44 I. VIDEO A. Video of people disappearing in the rapture. B. Not required for sermon II. INTRODUCTION: UNEXPECTED GUESTS A. Ever have an unexpected guest? B. You’re sitting down to dinner and you hear a doorbell (ring the office doorbell) C. What do you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The God Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by David Ward on Oct 3, 2009

An expository message from Acts 12 on how God "shows up" in response to his people’s faith, and lack of faith.

INTRODUCTION: Arthur Burns was chair of the Federal Reserve in the 1970s, and a Jewish economist of great influence in Washington during the tenure of several Presidents. Burns was once asked to pray at a gathering of evangelical politicians. Stunning his hosts, he prayed thus: "Lord, I pray that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational