Sermons on Gods Surprises:

The Persecution Of The Church Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Aug 25, 2006

Persecution is inevitable. Don’t be surprised, silenced or side-tracked by it.

Preaching Series: The Tie That Binds Persecution and the Church Text: John 15:17-16:4 Introduction: A trio of old veterans were bragging about the heroic exploits of their ancestors one afternoon down at the VFW Hall. "My great-grandfather at age 13," one declared proudly, "was a drummer boy at ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

He Taught Them Many Parables… (The Thief And The Servants) # 19

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 14, 2022

As we look at the coming of the Lord as a thief in the night, the emphasis is on the element of surprise.

For example, a thief does not call the home that he plans to enter and say, “About one O’clock this evening I plan to arrive.” When he enters a home, he wants the element of surprise to be on his side.And the Bible tells us in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Place At The Right Time Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2011

When God provided His Son on Christmas and throughout his earthly life, God did it right. No surprises, no failures, no forgotten details.

The Right Place at the Right Time (Galatians 4:4-5) 1. We noticed in previous weeks that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. He was born in the right place. 2. A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Praise Through To Victory

Contributed by Jeremiah Parker on May 23, 2008

Lessons from Jehoshaphat in how to handle life’s unpleasant surprises.

Praise Through to Victory! Attention: You get home. The house is dark. You turn the key and open the door expecting to sit down and rest when…“SURPRISE!” All of your friends are there. They’ve thrown you a surprise party! OR: Someone calls you out of the blue and invites you to join them on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Really Is Responsible? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 16, 2021

It took some time to process the traumatic and surprising events of Holy Week

3rd Sunday of Easter When something traumatic happens in your family, perhaps a death or serious injury, do you find often that there’s at least a temptation toward chaos? This is especially true if one of the key linchpins in the family is taken out of commission for a time, or even permanently. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:1-5, Luke 24:35-48, Acts 3:13-19

Denomination: Catholic

The Three Greatest Joy Robbers Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Life gets messy. That’s no surprise. What is surprising is how easily we forget that God wants joy to be our regular experience of life. And it’s the stuff a a messy life where we’ll experience God’s joy. We’re called to live in harmony, peace and of cour

Introduction Over the years I’ve noticed a pattern in how God works in my life. Whenever I’m going to speak about a particular topic God first allows me to personally experience it. I need to tell you…this is not always fun! But God seems to set things up so I have to live out the principles that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Narnia: Discover The Wonder: He Is Closer Than You Might Think Series

Contributed by Rurel Ausley on Dec 7, 2005

Explores Lucy’s surprise experience of Narnia with the truth that there are "wardrobe doors" for us to walk through to discover the Kingdom of God.

Discover The Wonder: He Is Closer Than You Might Think Lk.1:29-35; 2:8-15; Mk.1:15; 2 Kgs.6:14-18 Intro… 1) Lk.1:29-35…Mary and Joseph are going about there merry, obscure little way, when….all of a sudden the unseen spiritual world contacts them with a message from the angel Gabriel…you are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Methodist

Expect The Unexpected

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Dec 26, 2007

A Christmas eve sermon that highlights God often surprises us with what He does and how He does things.

What do you expect on Christmas Day? For many years our family did much the same thing. All kids we would wake up early in the morning, even my sister who was normally a sleepy head. We expected gifts under the tree, so we’d rush out to the Christmas tree to make sure they were there. Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Moses: A Real Basket Case Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Sep 2, 2012

When God starts searching for a leader what traits does He look for? The answers may surprise you.

UNLIKELY LEADERSHIP “Moses: A Real basket Case” Exodus 2:1-10 Some years ago my family and I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, one of our greatest presidents. We were able to walk through the log cabin he grew up in. It took us about two minutes. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Foundation For Favor Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Mar 24, 2021

Often events and circumstances in life take us by surprise. At times life is going according to plan, and then without warning, difficulty arrives. Thankfully, God is omniscient, knowing all things. He is never taken by surprise and always works according to His divine will.

The Foundation for Favor Esther 2: 19-23 As we take a moment to consider our lives, we discover they are made up of varied series of events. Often one event serves to prepare us for a future event. At times, several events tend to blend together and create a major event. Viewing life from this ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:19-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.

Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

"Ear” God's Word

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 20, 2008

“Ear” God’s Word 1) By listening prayerfully, asking for understanding 2) By listening persistently, seeking depth of knowledge and conviction 3) By listening attentively, blocking out earthly cares and concerns

Can you palm a basketball? Can you grip a basketball with one hand so that you can pick it up off the floor and wave it around without it slipping out of your hand? I can’t palm a basketball and there’s nothing I can do about it. I stopped growing a long time ago. My hands won’t get any bigger than ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:5-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Is Thanksgiving A Foreign Idea To You?

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Dec 3, 2009

We are sometimes surprised when we hear a non-church person giving God praise for something done in their life and we are surprised by it. Maybe we are even a little embarrassed since we may have received a similar blessing but forgot to give thanks.

Is Thanksgiving a Foreign Idea to You? Thanksgiving Day 2009 Luke 17:11-19 On January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed: A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed … to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October. It seems ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jesus On Trial: The Execution Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 12, 2017

We examine several surprising signs that occurred when Jesus was executed and died.

Scripture Six years ago, I began what I planned to be a seven-year series of messages. It is based on the book by James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken that is titled, Jesus on Trial. My goal is to teach on seven important aspects of the trial of Jesus Christ: the diabolical conspiracy to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Types Of People Responding To Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Dec 4, 2017

Should we be surprised how people treat Jesus Christ and Christians today?

How do people deal with Jesus Christ? In our passage today, we will note 5 types of people responding to Jesus Christ; open your Bibles to Mark 14… Read along with me Mark 14:53-72….. Let’s start with this question, Who is Jesus Christ?? Let us not miss what v55 implies! v55: supports 2 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:53-72

Denomination: Independent/Bible