Sermons on Surprise Ending:

The First Shall Be Last

Contributed by John Dobbs on Mar 2, 2023

Frederick Bruner wrote, “Judgment will be a day of surprises.” Today we begin looking at four parables that relate to the day of judgment.

Introduction Frederick Bruner wrote, “Judgment will be a day of surprises.” Today we begin looking at four parables that relate to the day of judgment. Indeed, there are surprises in all of them. This is a simple story, but it also complex. This parable begins and ends with the saying of Jesus, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Day Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Nov 1, 2009

Looks at the coming Day of the Lord and what it is and when it occurs in relationship to the Rapture and how Christians should be living in light of being rescued from this day of wrath.

The Day of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 What is the Day of the Lord? The Day of the Lord is a Day of Judgment The Day of the Lord is a Day of Wrath The Day of the Lord is a Period of Time When is the Day of the Lord? The Date of the Day of the Lord is unknown The time of the Day of the Lord is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 4:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

One Day The Door Will Close

Contributed by Bill Burress on Feb 25, 2012

God destroyed the world with water because it had become so wicked. This will happen again with the second coming of Christ. This message tells several comparisons of how the will be the same.

“One Day The Door Will Close” How many have ever locked yourself out of your house or your vehicle? It is an awful feeling especially if you are standing on your porch in freezing weather. Maybe you did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Something To Shout About

Contributed by Ethan Muse on May 8, 2004

People will shout over many different things, but here is a surprising subject of something Jesus told us to shout about.

Something To Shout About Pastor Ethan J. Muse My subject this morning is Something To Shout About, and I really hope that by the time you leave, you will see that it really is. As a young man at Andrews University, I hung out with other guys my age. And, if you know much about single men in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2-4, Psalm 150:1-6, John 3:16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

There Is A Time For...

Contributed by Dusan Tillinger on Dec 31, 2011

The biblical teacher in Ecclesiastes has one great advantage over us. In everything he says he is counting on God.

For a long time, the biblical wisdom: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity...“, used to seem very general to me. It is a beautiful poem – that´s true – but the idea itself appeared so obvious that there was no need to pay any special attention to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Prepared For Death

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2020

Jesus was not taken by surprise, but fully anticipated His death. And an insightful devotional woman anointed Him ahead of His burial.

JESUS PREPARED FOR DEATH. Matthew 26:1-13. There are two ways in which Jesus was prepared for death in this passage. The first is in the sense that He was prepared within Himself: nothing that was about to happen took Him by surprise, even right down to knowing the date when He would be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Good News For Bad Times, Part 1 (Mark 13) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jul 13, 2020

When Jesus' disciples asked him about when the end times events would take place, he gave them four things to look for, and one sure sign. Part 1 of 2.

Good morning. Please open your Bibles to Mark 13. And the first thing I need you to do is take your listening guide, and next to the title, write “Part 1.” I realized after we printed the bulletin for this week that there’s too much to cover here for one sermon. In 1988, a former NASA engineer ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Pregnant Virgin Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Nov 20, 2001

This is the 2nd sermon in the series "Christmas Surprises". This sermon is about Mary’s reaction to the news of her pregnancy.

Sunday Evening November 25, 2001 Bel Aire Baptist Church Series: Christmas Surprises [#2] A PREGNANT VIRGIN? Luke 1:26-56 Introduction: This morning we looked at 4 bad girls of the Bible that were relatives of our Savior. Tonight I want us to look at yet another Christmas Surprise. In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Baptist

The Amazing Grace Of God

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 11, 2005

God’s movement in our lives is beyond our imagination and often catches us by surprise with its enormity.

Psalm 136 “The Amazing Grace of God” INTRODUCTION One of the most beloved hymns is “Amazing Grace.” This hymn celebrates God’s gracious movement in our lives: the gift of salvation, the gift of faith, God’s strength in difficult times, and the hope of life after death. “Amazing Grace,” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 136:1-26

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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

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

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

No Other Gods Before Me! Series

Contributed by Eric Bain on Oct 14, 2007

This sermon looks very practically at what it means to have no other gods BEFORE God. It may just surprise you!

No Other gods Before Me! Exodus 20:1-3 © 2007 Eric Bain NOTE: This sermon is available in audio format @ www.sanctuary-church.com HOOK – You know over in West Sac there’s a new Wal-Mart Super Center… • And I know that some of you may be very much against Wal-Mart… you want to rage against the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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