Sermons on God Of Surprises:

The Surprising Cross!

Contributed by John Gullick on Mar 30, 2005

A sermon that looks at the cross and it’s impact on our lives.Concludes with a little poem that you might find helpful - I wrote it so it isn’t Wordsworth.

The surprising Cross We live in the twenty first century. There are things that we value in this culture and things that we don’t. One of the most least desirable things to have in your neighbourhood is a prison. Nothing is more likely to drop your property values than the building of a prison ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Easter Surprise

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 20, 2002

Children’s Easter Message 2002

The Easter Surprise Matthew 28:5-6 Children’s Message Easter Sunday: March 31, 2002 How many of you had an Easter Egg Hunt this year? What is this? (Hold up an empty large plastic Easter Egg) What are these Easter Eggs for? People hide them. You look for them, find them and open them. Usually ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Taken By Surprise Series

Contributed by Damien Spikereit on Mar 2, 2001

To walk with the Lord in this life, is to walk with him in eternal life.

- A reporter named Karen Jordan who recently walked along the main street of a College University and asked a most profound question of those who were passing by: "If today were your last day on earth, how would you spend it?" She reported the following answers: Tony said, "I would get drunk, do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Big Surprise

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 5, 2021

This Easter message focuses on the DISRUPTION that Jesus's presence brought into the lives of the selfish priests and Pharisees at His first Advent, their response to the disruption (murdering Jesus), and the SURPRISE Jesus's resurrection was to them and even to the disciples.

Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of mankind: the resurrection of Christ. Nothing has ever happened that influences the destiny of mankind like that one event. Alexander’s defeat of the Persians changed the course of Western civilization. It was a significant turning point in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:34-36, John 3:16, Revelation 1:18, John 20:15, John 2:12-25, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 8:34-37, John 11:47-48, Matthew 23:27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 1:11, Matthew 28:1-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by David Nolte on Mar 31, 2020

Not all surprises are pleasant/

Surprised By Joy John 19:17-30 David P. Nolte (Due to coronavirus, this sermon will be broadcast via fm radio during “drive-in-church” at a venue with adequate parking). Life is full of surprises. Not all surprises are pleasant ones, though. You’ll believe that when you step on the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Tom Lovorn on Apr 10, 2001

The same joy that surprised the followers of Christ in the upper room that first Easter can bring us joy that is permanent, powerful, and plentiful.

Near the end of the nineteenth century a little church high on the cliffs at the entrance to the English Channel was destroyed by a hurricane. A few weeks later, a British Admiral came to ask the pastor if they intended to rebuild the church. The clergyman explained that they were a poor ...read more

Scripture: John 16:19-20, Luke 24:41

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 19, 2014

Surprised by Joy - (Character Study Cleopas) (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: They talked with each other (vs 14, 15 & 17) They welcomed a stranger (vs 15). They shared the story of Jesus (vs 18-23). They were willing to learn (vs 25-27) They practiced hospitality (vs 28) SERMONBODY: Ill: • The newspaper The Independent on Sunday (5 September ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Denomination: Brethren

Surprise Beginnings Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 11, 2016

This is the first sermon in a series on the life of the apostle Paul. We will be looking to become like Jesus by following Paul's example. The primary resource for the series is Charles Swindoll's book Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit.

A. Once a five-year-old named Brian was impressed by the story of Simeon the Stylite, a Syrian hermit who lived in the 5th century. 1. Simeon the Stylite was admired as a saint because he lived for more than 35 years on a platform atop a high pillar. 2. Determined to follow Simeon’s ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Surprising Jesus.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

The Surprising Jesus. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Luke chapter 5 verses 17-26. Ill: • (a). DVD – Rolf Harris - Jake the Peg (on Youtube or email me) • (b). Kids Talk illustration I WANT US TO LOOK AT THE 4 TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THIS STORY: (1st) The friends of the paralysed man. • Ill: Have you ever had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Brethren

"Surprised By Love"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 18, 2015

Jesus is with us, even at rock bottom.

"Surprised By Love" John 21:1-19 Perhaps you read the following in the Upper Room Devotional last Wednesday: "I hit the road with everything I owned packed inside my small car even though the idea of leaving my apartment, job, school, friends, and my comfortable life of sin had paralyzed ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 12, 2018

I would have more joy if ________________.

Christmas 2018 Surprised by Joy I would have more joy if ____________________. Isaiah 9:1-3a NIV “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those where in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Napthali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-3, Luke 1:39-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surprised By Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 7, 2021

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 23

Sept. 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 7:24-37 Surprised by Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There’s an old saying: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” In order for a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Surprising The World Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction discusses the anxiety some people feel towards evangelism, questioning if faith-sharing should be anxiety-inducing, and referencing Michael Frost's book "Surprise the World" which suggests that not everyone should be expected to evangelize in the same way.

Why does the word ‘evangelism’ cause some people so much anxiety? Do you get images of door-knocking or approaching strangers in shopping malls? Does it make you feel like you’re being turned into a reluctant recruitment officer for the church? Should faith-sharing really be anxiety producing? In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Evangelism, Faith-Sharing, Anxiety

Sermon Series: Surprise The World

Surprised But Not Napping Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Oct 25, 2019

The coming of Jesus will be like a thief in the night – unannounced and without prior warning. Our call as Christians is to be watchful, not by trying to guess an unrevealed time and season, but by living as those who ate in the light.

You can listen to the full sermon here:- http://nec.org.au/strong-and-ready/ Message 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Surprised But Not Napping Why is it that there are so many modern Christians who seem to think that we are somehow smarter than the first century Christians. I’ll show you what I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Surprising The World Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 29, 2023

Understand that not all Christians are called to be evangelists in the traditional sense, but all are called to live lives that provoke questions about their faith. This can be done through acts of kindness, words of affirmation, and giving gifts.

Have you ever felt a bit freaked out when you hear the word 'evangelism'? Like, does it make you think of knocking on strangers' doors or trying to convince your friends at school to come to church? It can feel a bit like you're being asked to sell something, right? Well, let's take a chill pill ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Spiritual Outreach, Questionable Ethics, Faith Lifestyle, Evangelical Practices