Sermons on Unlikely:

Investing For The Long Term

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 25, 2018

Unlike the crowds on Palm Sunday, who hailed Jesus as king but only days later demanded that he be crucified, we need to hold on to our faith and hope in Christ. Here's why and how.

I’d like to begin this morning with a story. It involves these men [photo of Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs]. You probably recognize them: Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. The two men who founded Apple Computer. Right? Well, no, actually that’s not accurate. Here is a photo of the original partnership ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Know The Beginning And The Word Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 17, 2025

Every story has a beginning. But unlike our stories, the story of God—the story of the Gospel—does not begin with uncertainty or guesswork. It begins with the certainty of God's eternal presence and power.

Go! And Know the Beginning and the Word Genesis 1:1 (NLT): “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” John 1:1 (NLT): “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Introduction: A Question of Beginnings Every journey starts somewhere. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, John 1:14, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Mark 1:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

15. David’s Anointing - God’s Choice (1 Samuel 16) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God prepares the faithful.

David’s Anointing - God’s Choice June 4, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 16 When God chooses a leader, He looks not at appearances, but at the heart. His plans are always unfolding, even in quiet fields and unlikely places. While men elevate the impressive, God ...read more

Denomination: Brethren

Seven Happy People

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2006

Unlike joy, happiness is temporary...based on ’happenstance’. But God tells us 7 ’circumstances’ which will lead us to happiness more often. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SEVEN HAPPY PEOPLE John 13:17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7HappyPeople.html John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Which kind of Christian are you? Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Attitude determines altitude! God isn’t here just to keep you out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Calling Of Saul

Contributed by John Foster on Sep 8, 2002

Explores 3 aspects of Saul’s conversion. Flash of light, God choses the most unlikely people to do His work (he choses YOU), With Jesus adversity becomes opportunity and even Victory.

I have a question for you. Has anyone here ever had something go wrong but that going wrong was the very thing that made things work out in the end? What do I mean? Have you ever missed the bus and you go back home to find that you’d forgotten to lock the house or something? If you hadn’t ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Abcs Of Spiritual Growth

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Feb 28, 2010

Growth is expected in our spiritual lives but unlike physical growth, our spiritual growth does not just happen, we need to give effort and consideration if we are to move from milk to solid food.

ABCS of Spiritual Growth 06/30/08 AM Text: Various, 2 Peter 3:18 Reading: Hebrews 10:19-25 Introduction It’s not uncommon to speak of the “ABC’s” of a topic when talking about the basics of that topic. When we see a book titled “The ABC’s of Child Development” we can pretty much guess that the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Life Of Abraham, Part 8: Thirteen Years Later Series

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Feb 11, 2014

It had been thirteen years since the birth of Ishmael. God makes a sudden appearance with a startling announcement. We will also be introduced to a new covenant of circumcision which is a conditional covenant unlike that of Genesis 15

The Life of Abraham, Part 8: Thirteen Years Later Genesis 17:1-27 Introduction In the last lesson, it finally looked from Abram’s point of view that God had satisfied Abram’s long awaited promise of a son named Ishmael. At the age of eighty-six, Abram was a dad in his own right. Hagar had acted ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-27, Genesis 17:1-7, Genesis 17:15-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In The End There Is Hope Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 7, 2016

When we look at the last chapter of the book of kings we are taught that God does not leave his people without hope; he continues to bring renewal and repentance, even in places that are most unlikely.

You can listen to the full message here:- http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/kings-series/ Message 2 Kings 25:1-30 “In The End There Is Hope” For some months now we have been making our way through the book of Kings and we have learnt so much. Today we get to the end of the book. So ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 25:1-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Parable Of Chutzpah

Contributed by Robert Leroe on May 3, 2015

We need to approach prayer with a sense of bold, unhesitating urgency--with chutzpah. We have no worries--unlike the grumpy, groggy neighbor, God never slumbers and is always happy to hear from us.

Jesus gave His disciples the Model Prayer, and followed with a story about someone in need of “daily bread,” a parable that conveys the attitude our prayers should have—we should approach God an unhesitating sense of urgency. The story was a common situation for our Lord’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Congregational

Overcoming Our Reluctance Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 12, 2017

Gideon was an unlikely candidate to lead Israel against the Midianites, but God often uses the weak and inadequate. Our service to Him is not dependent upon our wisdom or ability, but it must rely on the Lord through faith.

Overcoming our Reluctance Judges 6: 11-16 Living the Christian life isn’t always easy. In fact, we are often forced to deal with difficulties and struggles. At times we surrender to defeat and feel as if we lack the ability to overcome. I am sure we have all dealt with moments of insecurity, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-16, Judges 7:7

Denomination: Baptist

Deborah And Barak

Contributed by Tim Secrist on Oct 24, 2012

God is willing to use anybody that is willing to be used for His glory. This sermon is about God using an unlikely character to accomplish something big. If He can use this person, He can use anybody.

Deborah and Barak Judges 4 and 5 Intro: Some people never seem to learn. A man pulled into a gas station, walked over to a soda machine, and stared at the sign, which read, “Soda: $2.00.” “Two dollars for a soda – that’s incredible” the man said. ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Long Road Rome Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jun 7, 2021

Paul used personal ingenuity and shrewd strategy to accomplish God’s ultimate will. We, too, can better serve God if we embrace the unlikely combination of being innocent but yet shrewd.

The Long Road Rome (Acts 23:1-35) 1. Over the next few chapters, we are going to meet some interesting characters. 2. Today, we will be introduced to Felix (show photo 1). 3. In a few weeks, we will meet Festus (show photo 2). 4. Last of all, we will meet Agrippa (show photo 3). 5. Paul was in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 23:1-25, Luke 16:1-13, Matthew 10:16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Man Sees The Limitations, God The Opportunities

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Aug 22, 2025

We offer many excuses. We tend to limit what God can do. God says the night may be dark, but God can handle this problem. God can use unlikely sources.

MAN SEES THE LIMITATIONS, GOD SEES THE OPPORTUNITIES. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) TEXT: 1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, Judges 3:12-24, Judges 3:31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God's Anointing Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

God often chooses unlikely people, seeing beyond their outward appearance and focusing on their hearts. He does this to display His power through our lives as we walk in the anointing and gifting of the Holy Spirit.

God tells this prophet, Samuel, to go to Bethlehem and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king. Samuel sees the oldest son, Eliab, and thinks, "This guy looks like king material." But God's like, "Nope, I don't look at the outside; I look at the heart." So, none of Jesse's seven sons present ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

Topics: Divine Anointing, Spiritual Empowerment, Holy Spirit, Sacred Oils

Christ The King

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Oct 26, 2020

Paul presents a superior view of Christ as King with a deep understanding of His death on the cross. Unlike earthly kings, Jesus reigns from a cross. God rules the world from a cross of suffering love.

Bill stopped in at a small rural general store, looking for a bottle of mustard. The shelves were loaded with salt, bags, and bags of salt. Abe, the merchant, said he had some mustard, but would have to go down to the cellar to find it. So, Bill tagged along with him. There, to his surprise, were ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:12-20, John 18:33-37

Denomination: Catholic