Sermons on God Of Surprises:

Finding Joy Amidst Life's Surprises

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 22, 2005

Christmas is meant to be joy time, and in the stories of Christmas from the Biblical to the secular there is a theme of joy amidst surprises that runs through them.

Finding Joy Amidst Life’s Surprises Luke 1:39-55 (New International Version) 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Treasuring God's Holiness Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 7, 2012

Some things are so surprising they simply shock us. The early church has many such surprises and shocks, one of the biggest of which concerned the generosity of two of her members.

“Treasuring God’s Holiness” Acts 5:1-11 Some things are so surprising they just simply shock us. The team with the huge lead falls apart in the closing moments and loses. The golfer with only an easy, short birdie putt between himself and the championship, winds up with a double ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Immanuel: God With Us Series

Contributed by Harold Jenkerson on Dec 15, 2007

God’s coming into the world in human form was to be no surprise to the believer.

Immanuel: God Is With Us Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 Theme: God has done what all humanity desires, but questions whether He will. Illustration: Ancient civilizations visualized God in human and animal form and in the modern age many pictures have been given to us to visualize God. Introduction ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Daniel 8: He's Got This Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

Nothing is a surprise to God. God is in control.

HE’S GOT THIS—Daniel 8 Do you sometimes feel like the world is spinning out of control? The safe and secure life some of us remember seems more chaotic, less innocent, and somewhat scary. Family and cultural values are changing—not always for the better. Religious freedom is under attack in many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-31, Daniel 8:1-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Call--Accepted Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jan 29, 2013

Astonished at Jesus' teaching and amazed by his authority and power, Peter, James and John accept Jesus' invitation to follow him even though they do not know what the future holds.

Luke 6:1-16 “Something New” INTRODUCTION I think that one of the great joys in life is to be able to give a gift and then watch the recipient enjoy the gift. As a grandparent, I love giving a gift to my granddaughters and then watch them play with it. I can’t imagine what ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Redefining Significance (How To Surprise Your Biggest Critics) Acts Part 7 Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Jan 15, 2005

contrasting God’s and the world’s understanding of a significant life...

Redefining significance: how to surprise your biggest critics Acts Series: ¡§Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian¡¨ Part 7 Pastor Jeff Christopherson - February 23, 2003 Acts 4:1-22 I. HOW OUR WORLD DEFINES SIGNIFICANCE: 1. Success. (People speak of my ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Absurdity Of The Incarnation

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 17, 2012

A sermon on 1 Timothy 3:16 focusing on the incarnation (Mostly taken from Max Lucado's book, God Came Near, and also at: http://maxlucado.com/read/topical/gods-greatest-surprise/)

HoHum: In one verse Paul reminds Timothy of the gospel in all its fullness. Tries to cover the whole gospel. Some songs try to do that: You came from heaven to earth, to show the way, from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prince Caspian: Calling For Help, And The Unexpected Answer Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 21, 2009

God answers our calls, but not always in ways that are expected, and yet, they are wonderful beyond knowing.

Prince Caspian: Calling for help, and the unexpected answer Jeremiah 32:42-33:3 Faith is called faith because we have no proof. We believe in God and we accept His presence in our lives, not because we can say what He looks like and how tall He is, but because we rely on the evidence of our ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

God’s Amazing Character That Will Inspire And Motivate Us To Persevere. Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Mar 23, 2022

God’s Expectations May Surprise Us, but They Do Make Sense

Every manufacturer designs his product with the right components, engineered to fulfil the function that the product is created to perform. In essence, the purpose of the product dictates the mechanical and engineering components required to fulfil the manufacturer's intent. This principle ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank God I Totaled My Car! Series

Contributed by Pastor Jeff Hughes on Feb 8, 2014

How can one find blessing in wrecking their car? You might be surprised to find out...and blessed.

I've been preaching for a while, in my 18th year of preaching. I've been around the block so to speak, but I don't claim to anyone special--just a man called to work for the Master. But being in ministry for more than just a few years does give a man experience in both the good and the bad--but is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Bible Church

Surprising Faith From Unexpected Sources Lesson 8 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 28, 2023

God uses different methods/means to give victory.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Faith is positive response to God. Why are we surprised? Why were these chosen? 2. None were Levites – God’s priests. 3. Circumstances were black, they illuminated. 4. Oppressors were light haters. B. SURPRISING FAITH – UNEXPECTED SOURCES 1. Rahab the harlot – Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-23, Judges 16:4-31

Denomination: Baptist

God's Healing For Anger

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 10, 2020

It is not surprising that anger is mentioned as the precursor of sin throughout the Scriptures.

God’s Healing For Angry Hearts Introduction Of all our emotions, anger is perhaps the rawest, strongest, and potentially the most destructive. Anger is created by our thinking. It begins with an event that we notice and the interpretation we place on it. The result of your interpretation is a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar: Hopeless Situations And Surprising Ways Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 8, 2009

AS GOD PAINTS HIS PORTRAIT OF DELIVERANCE WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LIMIT THE WAYS IN WHICH HE CAN DELVIER.

Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar -- Hopeless Situations and Surprising Ways. Judges 3 May 24, 2009 INTRODUCTION What do the following presidents all have in common. James A. Garfield (1881) 20th Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) 31st Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) 33rd Gerald Ford (1974-1977) 38th Ronald Reagan ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:1-31

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Walking In The Will Of God

Contributed by Richard Deem on Mar 1, 2001

Often the commited Christian finds it difficult to discern the will of God. It may surprise you to know that it is possible to be in the will of God and not really be aware of it!

TEXT: Acts 16:6-10 INTRO: In 1984 my family attended a Spiritual Retreat (Conference) in Bertchesgaden, West Germany. This was an annual event for those involved in the Ministry to the Military in Europe. These were "high times", indeed. Not only were we "high on a mountain, nestled in the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:6-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Johns Epiphany And Our's

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Jan 5, 2008

Epiphany Sunday - John’s Surprise is ours... John’s Surprise at Christ’s Humility John’s Surprise at Christ’s Obedience John’s Surprise at Chirst’s Divinity

The Epiphany of Christ’s Baptism Text: Matthew 3:13-17 INTRODUCTION: “May the words of my lips and meditations of my heart be always acceptable in Your sight, giving praise, glory and honor to your name, our Rock and Redeemer. Amen. Today we celebrate the feast of Epiphany, which in the Greek ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Orthodox