Sermons on Unexpected Ways:

The Surprising Kingdom - Palm Sunday Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Mar 4, 2024

The Kingdom of God is full of surprises, and we should be open to receiving it in unexpected ways. This is evident in the story of Palm Sunday, where Jesus enters Jerusalem in a way that no one expected.

Hey guys, today is Palm Sunday, the kick-off of Holy Week, when Jesus cruised into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was a total curveball because people were expecting a different kind of king. God's Kingdom is full of surprises, and we gotta be ready for them. God's Kingdom is full of surprises, and we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Topics: Divine Kingdom, Unexpected Grace, God's Sovereignty, Kingdom Parables

Unexpected Hope Series

Contributed by Rich Mccaskill on Jul 21, 2020

In our confusing and broken world, we can still have hope because of Jesus.

My own journey of hopelessness began when I was 15. As much as I wanted to believe in God, I could not. I could relate to Tolstoy who recounts an "old Eastern fable about a traveler who was taken by surprise in the steppes by a raging wild beast. Trying to save himself from the beast, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:24-25, Isaiah 7:14, Romans 8:18-24

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

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 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

Look For The Miracle!

Contributed by James Tino on Mar 20, 2008

When life changes in unexpected ways, don’t keep looking in the grave - look for the miracle! An Easter sermon.

Rev. James Tino New Life Lutheran Church Miramar, FL April 2007 John 20:1-18 Easter Sunrise Look for the Miracle! Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father, and from our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ; (explain “Type A” and “Type ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

"In A Good Way Expect The Unexpected"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Oct 7, 2011

This is a story that God is still in the miracle business if we slow down and trust Him.

I want to thank you for all your prayers and support yesterday. Yesterday was one of the toughest and rewarding days of my life. I woke up in the morning to see our bank account in the red with no hope in sight. BUT, I know God. I have set my hope on the One who is faithful and I will not question ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

The Unexpected Child Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 17, 2021

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

Series: Unexpected Christmas Thesis of Series: Christmas season is filled with surprises and the unexpected twists and turns that come with this holiday season. The original Christmas season was also filled with surprises from Heaven and the unexpected twists and turns from God. God loves doing ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:9-11, Isaiah 55:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unexpected Saviour Series

Contributed by James Jack on Mar 3, 2005

Jesus brings a new age in the way people relate to God: he gives us living water and spiritual renewal that transcends place and race so that all the true worshippers may worship in spirit and in truth.

John 4:4-42 Main point: Jesus brings a new age in the way people relate to God: he gives us living water and spiritual renewal that transcends place and race so that all the true worshippers may worship in spirit and in truth. Unexpected Conversations When I inherited my classroom at school, ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Anglican

What Is God Doing? Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Nov 26, 2024

God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected means. We need to watch for His surprising actions and join Him in His mission to change the world.

You know the Christmas story, right? Baby Jesus, manger, shepherds, wise men - the works. But imagine being there. It was all so unexpected and weird. They must've been like, "What's God up to?" What's God up to? Imagine you're expecting a package. You're super excited, but when it arrives, it's in ...read more

Scripture: John 5:16-21

Topics: Divine Plans, Spiritual Growth, Faith Challenges, Miracles

Not What I Expected Series

Contributed by Tim Smith on Feb 19, 2012

That's what the Christmas event is all about - God showing up in the midst of the unexpected.

Not What I Expected Isaiah 9:1-2 When I was in seventh grade, like so many youth at that age, music became a huge part of my life. I was awakened to the sounds of music of Elton John’s Greatest Hits, SuperTramps’ Breakfast in America and Led Zepellin 2. So my hope and dream was to build ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Methodist

A New Way Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Jesus shows us that true blessings and happiness come from recognizing our need for Him and living out Kingdom values, even in difficult situations.

Hey everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important, and I promise it's going to be interesting. We're going to look at a part of the Bible that's all about how Jesus sees us and what it means to be truly blessed. It's called the Beatitudes, and it's found in Matthew 5:1-12. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Topics: Unexpected Blessings, Hidden Blessings, Blessings In Disguise, Unforeseen Gratitude

Unexpected Welcome - Unexpected Sin Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

After dreading the meeting - Jacob and Esau have a family reunion. But then jealousy and violence take over as Jacob’s sons do something unthinkable.

Jacob has had a really tough time - back in Padan Aram he finally left his uncle Laban, who had cheated him for 20 years. Laban would have probably killed him had God not intervened but even still Laban gives Jacob a really hard time and then makes this agreement asking that God judge Jacob if he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Unseen Potential Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 30, 2013

The series of appearances by Jesus after his resurrection culminates in a most unexpected way with a most unexpected person -- Saul of Tarsus. The impact that this made on the primer persecutor of the Way changed his life and the lives of others forever!

1. Jeremy Lin clip ¨C Unseen potential http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUViw41Q7Hs&feature=related (We used the first 2:17 minutes of this online video. It¡¯s a series of highlights of Jeremy Lin¡¯s powerful game-winning performance against the New Jersey Nets February 4th, 2012) What you just ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Encountering Jesus In The Most Unexpected Places And At The Most Unexpected Times. Series

Contributed by Mark Van Cuylenburg on May 11, 2020

Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus we to can encounter Jesus when we least expect to and where we least expect to find Him.

If you had asked my parents what religion they were and how they had bought up their children they would have said, without hesitation, that they were Christians, and that we, my brothers Gary and Paul, and my sister Carol, and I, had been brought up in the Christian faith, except of course that my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35, Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Baptist