The Unexpected | Jared Moore | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The Unexpected

One Life Church • Mar 22, 2026 • 85 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When life goes off script and leaves us facing unmet expectations or unanswered prayers, we must remember that God remains the Sovereign Potter who shapes our lives. Even when our plans collapse or outcomes differ from what we envisioned, trusting in God's greater design brings true freedom. By choosing complete surrender to the Father's will—just as Jesus demonstrated in Gethsemane—we can recognize God's goodness in every circumstance.

Themes

Trusting God's SovereigntyOvercoming DisappointmentSurrendering to God's WillUnanswered PrayerThe Goodness of God

Pastor's Points

1.

Your expectations aren't met

2.

When our prayers aren't answered the way that we want them to be answered

Key Points

1.
We experience deep disappointment when our personal expectations for relationships, careers, or life seasons are not met.
2.
Disappointment often arises when our prayers are not answered in the exact way or timeline we desire.
3.
Spiritual trouble occurs whenever we try to act as the potter by taking control of our lives instead of remaining clay in God's hands.
4.
Even if you are not where you expected to be in life, you can still reach where God wants you to go.
5.
Like missionary Allen Gardiner, who declared God's goodness while shipwrecked, faithful believers can remain overwhelmed by God's goodness regardless of harsh circumstances.
6.
God promises to work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
7.
When prayers seem unanswered, believers can walk in freedom knowing God sees what they cannot and holds a greater plan.
8.

Sermon Moments

“Every time I find myself in trouble, it's because I try to be the potter.”

“Even if you're not where you expected to be, you can still get to where God wants you to go.”

“Missionary Allen Gardiner writing "I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God" in his journal while shipwrecked and starving on a deserted island.”

“We roll the dice, but ultimately God determines where it falls.”

“God often answers prayers in three ways: Yes, no, and yes, but not right now.”

“Country singer Garth Brooks returning to his high school reunion and realizing the blessing behind unanswered prayers.”

“Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane praying, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."”

“How do we overcome disappointment? Surrender. Not my will, God, but your will be done.”

This Week

Identify one area of your life where you have been trying to act as the potter, and surrender control back to God.

Write down your current unmet expectations and release them to God in prayer, trusting His sovereign timeline.

Meditate on Psalm 34:10 when facing disappointment, reminding yourself that those who trust in the Lord lack no good thing.

Pray for God's will to be done above your own personal preferences in difficult or uncertain circumstances this week.

Thank God for past unanswered prayers, acknowledging that His knowledge and plans are far greater than your own.

Carve out dedicated time for prayer, focusing on praying for the needs of others rather than solely your own burdens.

Approach times of reflection and communion by deliberately handing over your deep disappointments and unmet desires at the foot of the cross.

Remember This

Overcoming life's deepest disappointments requires surrendering our personal plans to God's sovereign will, trusting that He works all things together for our good.

A Challenge for You

Surrender your plans, expectations, and disappointments completely to God, trusting His purpose and declaring, "Not my will, God, but Your will be done."

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.