Sermons on Unexpected Return:

The Unexpected Visitor

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 30, 2023

A Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Epiphany, Year A

January 29, 2023 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 The Unexpected Visitor Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus opens up his Sermon on the Mount with a real show-stopper. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Unexpected Advice

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jun 2, 2025

A Pharisee offers sound advice to the council

Unexpected Advice Acts 5:29-42 Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will? In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Watchful Servants Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 3, 2014

Jesus wants us to reflect on what we want to happen when He returns and to prepare our self for it right now. If you want to be prepared for Christ’s return you must prepare yourself through faithfulness.

LUKE 12: 35-40. [PARABLES IN LUKE] THE WATCHFUL SERVANTS [Matthew 25:1-13 / John 12:23-26] Jesus has been teaching principles for kingdom living. He is preparing them for His departure and their ministry. He would be leaving His followers but He promised to return again for them at a future ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:34-40, Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Returning

Contributed by Chad Overton on Aug 24, 2011

A word for the people of God to turn from their selfishness, free themselves from the bondage of sin, and return to God's favor and providence.

The Returning Daniel 1:1-2 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Return Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jul 31, 2016

In his return to God, David saw the providence and the grace of God in response to his prayer.

David hit rock bottom when he returned to Ziklag and found his home city burned down and everything taken away, including their families. • This was by far the greatest tragedy he had encountered, ever since he ran from Saul as a fugitive. He faced the rejection of Saul, the rejection of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:7-31

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Return Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on May 29, 2020

In golf, a do over is called a mulligan. At a fast food restaurant, if they happen to make your sandwich incorrectly, and you bring it make to them to do over, it is called a re-make. And God has a word for a do over. Return!

In golf, a do over is called a mulligan. At a fast food restaurant, if they happen to make your sandwich incorrectly, and you bring it make to them to do over, it is called a re-make. Woman who get tired of wearing their hair a certain way will go to the beauty parlor and ask for a make- over. And ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 14:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Return Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 15, 2023

Paul wanted the church in Thessalonica to be thoroughly educated about the Second Coming of Jesus so they wouldn’t be afraid or confused.

INTRODUCTION • Today, we will begin a new series through part of the book of 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians entitled "Faith In Uncertain Times." • We live in uncertain times, and every generation faces the same feeling. • Big Idea of the Series: In a world filled with death, war, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Return Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 14, 2022

Because Jesus will return one day, we must return to Him today.

Have you ever become aware of a problem and put off taking care of it? A couple months ago, I noticed some significant corrosion at the top of our water heater where the cold-water line comes in. I kept thinking I should get this checked out but delayed doing so. I’d look at the problem every ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Journey: Moses

Contributed by Dr. Ken E. Squires, Jr. on Jun 5, 2013

A look at the Unexpected Journey God sent Moses on.

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Expecting The Unexpected (Funeral)

Contributed by Perry Greene on Sep 12, 2017

Funeral for middle aged Christian lady who died unexpectedly.

Song – Glory for Me – Family Enters Song – Lamb of God Romans 8.26-30 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed In Unexpected Ways

Contributed by John Dobbs on May 7, 2020

How the Beatitudes are a guide to Christian living in troubled times.

BLESSED IN UNEXPECTED WAYS: The Beatitudes as a Guide For Troubled Times The Beatitudes are found in their fullest form at the beginning of the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ in Matthew 5:3-11. A Beatitude is “an exclamation of the inner joy and peace that comes with being right with God. Happiness may ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Return Before Jesus Returns

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Jul 12, 2006

I am so glad that the Bible teaches the return of Jesus coming back to this earth one of these days. Not only was His return told by the prophets of old but Jesus Himself said that He would return to this earth one day.

Return before Jesus returns Malachi 3:1-15 06/25/06 I am so glad that the Bible teaches the return of Jesus coming back to this earth one of these days. Not only was His return told by the prophets of old but Jesus Himself said that He would return to this earth one day. So the return of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Be Ready For Unexpected Challenges Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Feb 5, 2019

Those who have been given a call and purpose from God will inevitable find themselves facing decisive and unexpected challenges which will determine the course of their lives.

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com Those who have been given a call and purpose from God will inevitable find themselves facing a great decisive and unexpected challenges which will determine if they will ...read more

Denomination: Foursquare

Faith In Unexpected Places Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Jun 24, 2012

In our text today, Jesus visited 2 predominantly Gentile regions, Tyre and Sidon (vs. 24-30) and the Decapolis (vs. 31-37). There He ministered to a desperate mother and a disabled man.

The Gospel of Mark #19 – “Faith in Unexpected Places” Mark 7:24-37 Intro – 1. We humans are a strange breed, aren’t we? 2. ILL – A pastor was once looking through some old church records of a Norwegian congregation which listed its membership as: “52 souls ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical Free