Sermons on God Of Surprises:

Meet An Arminian Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Nov 4, 2015

Introduction to message about the doctrines commonly known as "Calvinism", and the delightful surprises I found when studying them.

Meet an Arminian. Not by choice or even knowledge, mind you, but an Arminian nonetheless. So what's an Arminian anyway? A follower, whether or not he knows it, of Jacob Arminius, late 16th century theologian. The doctrines then being preached by John Calvin and most other reformers that involved ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Are You Talking To Me Too? Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Dec 26, 2007

The perspective of Joseph is changed from a shocking surprise to a willingness to accept the cultural pressures associated with seeming to break the rules.

Are you talking to me too? Week 2 – Joseph’s perspective - Last week we started off the advent season talking about perspective. I encouraged you to break away from the perspective that comes from the world. The views we pickup from the culture, like when we hear elevator music where we tend ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-24

Denomination: Congregational

Kingdom Come Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 14, 2022

Isaiah has much to say about the Millennium, and many of the millennial truths have surprising implications for us today.

Kingdom Come (Isaiah 2:1-4, 4:2-6) 1. Today, my old joke was Peter Roussakis’ favorite – at least of all the jokes I told. 3 Greeks and 3 Turks are travelling by train to a conference. At the station, the 3 Turks each buy tickets and watch as the 3 Greeks buy only a single ticket. "How ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-4, Isaiah 4:2-6, Jeremiah 31:33-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Discovery Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 13, 2013

The women didn't expect an empty tomb. The empty tomb not only surprised them but it also transformed them.

Luke 24:1-16 “Discovery” INTRODUCTION Over two thousand years ago a group of women walked somberly and quietly from their homes to a burial site. Their purpose was to find Jesus and finish their hurried burial preparations, which they were unable to complete two days ago. When ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

More Christ Less Me

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 4, 2025

Surprised to see an empty seat at the Super Bowl stadium, a diehard fan remarked about it to a woman sitting nearby.

More Christ Less Me “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Prevailing Against All Odds

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Sep 9, 2013

The Church has to Prevail! It should not strike us as a surprise. The adversary will throw all kind of stuff against the church

TITLE: A CHURCH PREVAILING AGAINST ALL ODDS SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 16:18 / ROMANS 8:39 We are honored to be here for this day of celebration with the 1st Baptist Church of Purcell. Although this is not my first time here, it is has been about 10 years that I was here while serving as the Pastor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

The Prodigal Father

Contributed by Lanny Carpenter on Apr 8, 2005

Who is the real emphasis on in the commonly called "Parable of the Prodigal son"? It may surprise you who was the real prodigal!

THE PRODIGAL FATHER LUKE 15:11-24 INTRO: Jesus often spoke in parables in his teachings. 1. What is a parable? a. Parable signifies "the placing of one thing beside another" with a view to comparison. b. It is the lesson that is of value; the hearer must catch the analogy if he is to be ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Methodist

Useless Gifts

Contributed by Chris Hughes on Dec 4, 2006

Unexpected gifts, gifts that go beyond the usual fare, surprise our sensibilities and wake up our spirits.

Matthew 2:1-12 Useless Gifts We’ve all gotten them. We’ve all given them. probably have ½ dozen on top shelf of closet, in box under the bed. Useless gifts. Unusual & unusable. knickknacks serve no purpose. Generations of parents & grandparents joyfully received lopsided handmade ashtrays from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Ephraim & Manasseh (Genesis 48)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 31, 2024

Are we flexible enough to allow God to do the exact opposite of what we had expected? Let's look at Genesis 48.

Do we have narrow ideas as to how God should handle things? Are we flexible enough to allow God to surprise us, even when He does the exact opposite of what we may have expected? Let’s look at Genesis 48. What did Israel say to Joseph? What had God told him? After these things, someone said to ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Nations

Contributed by Craig Benner on Sep 18, 2007

There are nations that are great and then there are nations that change the course of your world. You may be surprised to know what these nations are.

Great Nations What nation do you consider to be the greatest of all that exist in this world? You may say the U.S.A. or Israel or even China. I would say that you are mistaken. Why? Because there are "nations" that have greater effect on your life. There are Three Great Nations that we want to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

The World Has Gone Crazy

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Jul 4, 2015

In changing what God has intended marriage to be, we are changing the fabric of society. God's word tells us not to be surprised by this and that we should be happy for the opportunity to respond to theses trials and tribulations.

The World Has Gone Crazy 1 Peter 4:12-16 (NLT) ( for an audio and visual of this sermon go to www.thecreekmonroe.com) Intro: Back in 1995, there was a movie that starred Mel Gibson titled “Brave Heart”. It was about the beginning of the Scottish revolution in their quest for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Overpowering The Evil Prince

Contributed by Adeolu Akin-Abraham on Dec 2, 2009

God is not immediately and directly in charge of our lives! Surprised? Well, that’s the truth! There are constituted authorities in heavenly places assigned by God with the responsibility of overseeing our affairs. Unfortunately, these authorities and pow

“I’ve stopped praying, Pastor. I’ve prayed and prayed, had deliverance, and nothing has changed! What use are all these prayers? My husband is still bent on marrying his strange woman! I’m now ready to divorce him” A middle aged woman in my church, said to me on the phone. “Don’t give up now, my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 82:1-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Does A Christian Look Like? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

Do you know what a Christian should be like? It may surprise you to learn what God approves of and what He wants to take out of your character.

What is your idea of what a Christian should be like? I did a Google search using those words the other day and came with the most unbelievable site I think I have ever seen. I won’t mention the name of the church but the page that came up was entitled: "How does God spot a Christian?" I thought ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Providence Through Women Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 21, 2021

The surprising thing is you have what you have because of the providence of God in the lives of women like Vashti. She was used to save Judaism, and this is our heritage as Christians.

Paul Aurandt tells this fascinating true story that deals with the paradox of positive rebellion. In April of 1847 it looked as if Mexico was ready to make peace with the United States. President James Polk chose Nicholas Trist to go as a peace commissioner. On his way Trist spoke to reporters ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:10-22

Getting The Big Picture Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Aug 9, 2001

Understanding the sovereignty of God, and how that should affect the way I live.

August 12, 2001 The Sovereignty of God is more than a doctrine. If I have learned anything about how much control God exerts on everything in life it is these two: a. There are no accidents. When a cowboy applied for health insurance, the agent routinely asked if he had had any accidents during ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: United Methodist