Sermons on unexpected places: showing 46-60 of 146,702

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 6, 2023

Life is unpredictable, so expect to be surprised.

A few years ago (2017), authorities apprehended a group of Minnesota teens for attempting to steal a cake from a local grocery store. The teens were embarrassed, but even more so when they discovered the cake was fake—it was a cardboard display cake. The grocery store owner decided not to press ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Ecclesiastes 10:1-20, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

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

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

The Unexpected Evangelist Series

Contributed by Clair Sauer on Jan 29, 2014

The Samaritan woman at the well was an unlikely candidate to become one of Jesus' first evangelists, yet that's exactly what she was. Jesus extended grace to the Samaritan woman, which changed her. How could she help but share the good news!

This morning, we sit down at the “foot” of Jacob’s Well. This passage from John about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well just outside of Sychar is rich with messages and lessons for all who seek Jesus. One commentator reflected that this is “a text ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-42

Denomination: United Methodist

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

God Of The Unexpected

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 27, 2012

Jesus reverses people's fortunes. We're shocked that God loves us, has wonderful plans for our insignificant lives,and isn't limited by the options that limit us. In one minute, everything in this man's life changed. God wants to do it for you!

GOD OF THE UNEXPECTED John 5:1-9, 14-15 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. David, a second-grader, was bumped while getting on the school bus & suffered a two-inch cut on his cheek. 2. At recess he collided with another boy and two of his teeth were knocked loose. At noon, while sliding on ice, he fell ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Unexpected Honor Series

Contributed by Diana Tyler on Jul 8, 2023

No good deed goes unnoticed.

In Esther 6, King Xerxes was having trouble sleeping so he asked that the book of the records of the chronicles be read. During the reading, it was discovered that Mordecai was the one who had told of the plot to assassinate King Xerxes from Esther 2:21-23. King Xerxes asked what honor or dignity ...read more

Unexpected Gifts

Contributed by Johnny Small on Nov 15, 2002

At this time of the year we start thinking about buying Christmas gifts for our love ones. What gifts has God given to the ones that He loves?

Unexpected Gifts At this time of the year we start thinking about buying Christmas gifts for our love ones. Have you ever been given a gift that you didn’t expect? Have you ever been given a gift that you thought you could never use? Have you ever been given the surprise of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-35, Mark 16:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To The Unexpected

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on May 10, 2018

Many Christians are not prepared spiritually for the attacks of the enemy. This message, taken from 2 Chronicles 20, gives six things we can do to prepare ourselves from the enemy's attacks.

Many of you are much too young to remember the 1965 title bout between the Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali and the man he defeated for the title, Sonny Liston a year earlier. Ali knocked Liston out in the first round with a right cross to his left temple that he never saw coming. Ali’s punch ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unexpected And Expecting Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 26, 2018

The Holy Spirit works quietly within us, bringing new things into being

Unexpected and Expecting Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. I had the good fortune of attending a baby shower a week ago. Baby showers are joyous occasions. Everyone celebrates the advent of this little one soon to enter our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Christ Unexpected

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Mar 16, 2010

Christ was not what was expected more than two thousand years ago. His background, His outlook, His mission and His death were not what was expected. But it was all as God had planned.

Christ Unexpected 12/14/08 PM Text: John 7:41 Introduction It’s not unusual for people to be guided by expectations. Our bosses have expectations, teachers have expectations. We have expectations for our spouses, our children; sometimes our expectations may actually match theirs. The key to ...read more

Scripture: John 7:41

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection Unexpected

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 1, 2013

No one really expected the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we focus on the expectations of two of those who first saw Jesus: John and Mary. What they expected, and how Jesus actually met them, can help your relationship with Jesus too.

No one saw it coming. No one. On the Sunday following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ no one really expected what happened (or at least it they didn’t fully comprehend it). They should have. Shortly after confirming to His men that He was the Messiah, Jesus said: Mark 8:31 “The Son of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

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 Grace Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Jan 17, 2020

Our response to those who are have false motives and who scoff at Jesus is to show unexpected grace so that the ungodly may still have an opportunity to experience God’s forgiveness and love.

Message Jude 17-25 Unexpected Grace The book of Jude takes many different and, sometimes, unexpected turns. Jude wanted to write about the wonders of salvation – instead a difficult and spiritually dangerous situation compelled him to urge the recipients to “contend for the faith”. They needed to ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:17-25

Denomination: Baptist