Sermons on Unexpected Ways:

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

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

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

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

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

Keys To Responding To The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 14, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson. In this lesson we review the keys to appropriately responding to the unexpected - moving beyond our initial fear, despondency and worry.

Keys To Responding To The Unexpected (Rev. Rodney Johnson and Rev. Barry Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Unexpected Path To Perfection

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 23, 2025

This sermon explains how God purposefully uses the trials of life to refine our faith, produce steadfast endurance, and develop us into spiritually mature believers who are complete in Christ.

If you were to take a survey of every person in this room, and perhaps every person in this city, and ask them, "What is your main goal in life?" you would get a lot of different answers. Some would say to be successful, to provide for their family. Others might say to be healthy, to ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

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 Funeral - Man

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 1, 2020

A heart attack cut this life short.

Funerals Provide: • An Opportunity to Mourn • An Opportunity to Give and Receive Comfort • An Opportunity to Honor, Remember, and Give Thanks • An Opportunity to Declare Our Hope in Jesus Funerals remind us of: a. The Certainty of Death (Ecclesiastes 9:5) b. The Shortness of life (James ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Our Response To The Unexpected

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Aug 15, 2024

This message is about how we respond to the unexpected events of our lives. As children of God, our core responses should always focus our attention on the One with the answer, not the problem before our eyes.

Our Response to The Unexpected Scripture: Mark 4:35-41; First John 3:21-22; Second Chronicles 20:1-29 Good morning Strangers Rest. The title of the message this morning is “Our Response to the Unexpected.” I am going to open with a story recorded in the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus and His ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41, 1 John 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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