Sermons on Unexpected Return:

God Uses The Unexpected

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 6, 2022

Many times those who are underestimated and considered failures go on to accomplish great things in society. The same principle is true in the kingdom. The Lord oftentimes uses people who are rejected to bring glory to His name.

Once we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and as we come to know the Lord by spending time with Him, we will reach a point in our life where our love will overflow in a desire for service. It’s at this place that many believers come to a screeching halt. They look at themselves ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Unexpected Journey: Abraham

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

A look at the Unexpected Journey that God sent Abraham on.

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Unexpected Journey: David

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

A look at the Unexpected Journey that God sent David on.

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16 - NIV) The Big Idea: God's Unexpected Journey ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Not What You Expected

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 7, 2015

Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. There were some things that happened on that first Christmas that were quite unexpected.

NOT WHAT YOU EXPECTED Have you ever gotten something for Christmas that was totally unexpected? It could’ve been a special gift or a visit from someone. On the flip side have you ever expected a certain gift or visit from someone and ended up being disappointed? I was looking at this online ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Parable Of The Serving Master.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2023

Be prepared for the return of Jesus at an unexpected time.

PARABLE OF THE SERVING MASTER. Luke 12:32-40. Jesus reminds His “little flock” that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The imperative of Luke 12:33, rightly understood, becomes a marker of where our heart lies (Luke 12:34). We must hold the things of this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith In Unexpected Places

Contributed by Jeff Simms on Nov 12, 2003

To encourage the people to place their full confidence in the Lord and His leading

Faith in Unexpected Places Joshua 2:1-13 Primary Purpose: To encourage the people to place their full confidence and trust in the Lord and His leading At this point, Joshua and the people of God are still on the east side of the Jordan River. Joshua sends in spies to check out the land. Some ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon - An Unexpected Hero Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Jan 23, 2001

Gideon wasn’t a natural hero, but God used him to save his people. God often uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things

Gideon isn’t exactly your Hollywood image of a hero is he? In fact he’s the exact opposite. He’s much more the indecisive, timid type. He’s one of those people who want every i dotted and every t crossed before they make a decision and even then they won’t be able to make up their mind. You can see ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unexpected Jesus - Intro Series

Contributed by Raymond Perkins on Jun 13, 2001

This is an introductory lesson for this series designed for Bible Class use.

THE UNEXPECTED JESUS - INTRO Luke 4:16-21 INTRODUCTION: Maybe some of you have heard of Norm Evans. He was an all-pro lineman for the Miami Dolphins. Several years ago he wrote a book titled On God’s Squad, in which he discusses his faith, his conversion and his view of football as a result. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Unexpected Yuletide Messenger Series

Contributed by David Smith on Jan 12, 2010

n the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesth

Some of you may remember the answer to the question: ’What is green, has four legs, and if it falls on you from a tree and hits you it will kill you?’ The answer, of course, is a billiard table, though some of you may have been wondering whether the answer was ’Christmas’’, which is also green ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-2

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

How To Handle The Unexpected Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Dec 18, 2018

Mary serves as an example of how to handle life when life doesn't go as expected--a great example. We all experience this sort of thing, and we find out--life doens't go as expected all the time. How would God have us respond?

The Divine Advent(ure) How to Handle the Unexpected Luke 1:26-56 Have you ever noticed how life never seems to going exactly, or sometimes, even close to your plans? One of my favorite quotes is this one, apparently from an unbeliever: “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Bible Church

Unexpected Journey: Joseph

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

A look at the Unexpected Journey that God sent Joseph on.

7 “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.” (Genesis 45 - NIV) The Big ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:7-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Habakkuk - God Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 15, 2013

Hope in God, even when He is not doing anything. Trust in God, even when you do not understand His way. Worship God by holding on to what you know about Him.

We hardly hear a sermon preached on Habakkuk, which has only 3 chapters, but we do have some popular verses from this book – • 2:4 “The righteous will live by his faith” (quoted a few times in NT), • 2:20 “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Gifts In Unexpected Boxes

Contributed by Jack Russell on Feb 9, 2019

Forrest Gump's mother said: "life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." Sometimes you don't even get what the box says is in it.

Great Gifts in Unexpected Boxes A Christmas Meditation I like to buy my wife extravagant gifts for Christmas…like socks. You might laugh, but I’m not talking just any socks. I’m talking heavy winter socks, thick socks. You know, the kind where a single sock can block a dryer vent. Besides ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:11-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed