Sermons on Unexpected Christmas: showing 16-30 of 22,263

“expect The Unexpected” Series

Contributed by Darren Mccormick on Dec 18, 2013

This is the first message in a series aimed at getting people to re-evaluate how they observe Christmas. I've drawn some ideas from Mike Slaughter's book "Christmas Is Not Your Birthday."

AM Sermon preached at Central Christian Church December 1, 2013 A Different Kind of Christmas sermon series Message 1 “Expect the Unexpected” Okay so I went to the store Wednesday evening to pick up a few things we were wanting to have in our Thanksgiving dinner and when I walked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Good News In An Unexpected Place Series

Contributed by Boomer Phillips on Jul 17, 2021

In this message, we will see how the birth announcement of the King of Kings wasn’t delivered to the rich or royal, but it was instead delivered in the least expected place. It was delivered to some lowly shepherds.

When people send out baby shower invitations, they primarily mail them to family and friends. I once saw a really funny movie, a comedy, where a couple sent out fake shower announcements when they weren’t really going to have a baby. They were in debt and needed some money to pay off their bills, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

You're What?!?: Mary's Unexpected Pregnancy

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jan 7, 2004

Life’s unexpected curves do not have to be catostrophic to the Christian.

You’re What?!?: Mary’s Unexpected Pregnancy Luke 1:26-38 (Key verses 28, 34, 38) December 7, 2003 FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker (26) In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Jesus

Contributed by Theresa Ratliff on Mar 25, 2013

Do our expectations of who Jesus should be keep us from seeing who he really is?

Maybe it’s just me, but there’s something about this story that has always bothered me. How on earth could Mary Magdeline, who has been one of Jesus’s closest friends, look right at him and doesn’t recognize him? Isn’t that like…the president of the George ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: *other

Preparing For The Unexpected

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on Dec 19, 2006

God wants to do the impossible with you. How can you prepare yourself to be part of His plan? How can you prepare yourself for life’s unexpected moments?

Preparing for the Unexpected Luke 1:26-38 Hook: What things do each year to prepare for Christmas? Each holiday season, we spend a great deal of time preparing for the expected. Trees, presents, pix with Santa, etc. Mary didn’t have that luxury. Imagine you were Mary... Unexpected pregnancy, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected Gift

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 19, 2023

Israel was expecting a Messiah but not like the Messiah that came.

“Unexpected Gift” Luke 2:1-20 1. Today’s reading there was some expected things needed done • It was expected that all Israel be registered for tax purposes • It was expected that Joseph go to Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Changes

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Dec 27, 2011

Herod presented a number of challenges for the young Jesus Christ and his family, but because of Joseph's constant faithfulness, Christ's saving work continued in the world. Are we, too, willing to "drop everything" in faithfulness to God so that Christ's

The history books are full of stories of gifted persons whose talents were overlooked by a procession of people until someone believed in them. To name a few: Einstein was four years old before he could speak and seven before he could read. Einstein became one of the greatest physicists who ever ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23

Denomination: United Methodist

The God Of The Unexpected Series

Contributed by David Ward on Oct 3, 2009

An expository message from Acts 12 on how God "shows up" in response to his people’s faith, and lack of faith.

INTRODUCTION: Arthur Burns was chair of the Federal Reserve in the 1970s, and a Jewish economist of great influence in Washington during the tenure of several Presidents. Burns was once asked to pray at a gathering of evangelical politicians. Stunning his hosts, he prayed thus: "Lord, I pray that ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Unexpected Messiah

Contributed by Charles Scott on Feb 25, 2006

Those who were expecting God’s deliverer, the Messiah, were confused when Jesus came on the scene offering a Kingdom, not of this world as they expected, but a Kingdom to Come of Peace and Trusting Service.

I Corinthians 4:1-5 St. Matthew 11:2-10 Unexpected Messiah During the Advent Season we sang hymns and read lessons about the promised Christ, the Messiah who would deliver the Children of Israel from bondage. Many First Century followers of St. John the Baptist as well as followers of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

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

The Unexpected Lamb

Contributed by David Petticrew on Mar 16, 2004

A look at Revelation 5 and the all conquering lion who turns out to be a lamb that was slain, the paradox at the heart of Christianity and what it means for us in our daily struggle.

Introduction This morning we’re going to find out about a lion. A great big powerful victorious lion. So I thought I’d bring along an example. Now you need to be careful I don’t want to frighten anyone, so be warned this is one ferocious lion I’ve got back here. It gave me quite a bit of bother on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:1-14

Denomination: Holiness

Unexpected Joy

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 27, 2009

We sing and quote that "The joy of the LORD is your strength," but learning to live it in challenging service to our King is a daily "workout" for our faith (that brings "unexpected joy").

How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I get this accomplished, I’ll focus on helping out at the church?” How many of us have ever said, “As soon as I have my degree in hand, I’ll start seriously serving the Lord” or “As soon as our church finds a building (or a pastor), I’ll really get ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: *other

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

Unexpected Converts

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 26, 2000

Grace. Those most people thought were least likely to become God’s people are the ones who come to Christ; while the ones often thought to be most likely became his enemies.

Two of the surprises that we come across as we read the New Testament are the people who become close to Jesus, and the people who are alienated from Jesus. It is surprising because it is exactly the opposite of what we would expect to find. We would expect Jesus to be close to the religious folk ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Methodist