Sermons on Surprise:

Who Do You Belong To? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Sep 16, 2010

Often times we think of our society today as so different from Bible times. But it may surprise you that the things facing the Corinthians are much the same as today, and so is God's grace!

1st Corinthians was written in A.D. 56 from Ephesus at the close of Paul's 3 year residence there (Acts 20:31, 1 Corinthians 16:5-8). Paul's relationship with the Corinthian church is in Acts 18:1-18. He met Aquila and Priscilla there and taught in a house next door to the synagogue for 18 months. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

A Memorial To James Stamper

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Feb 1, 2009

My friend Mike desperately wanted to share his testimony before he left us. This may come as a surprise to you but most people really don’t know what it is to be a “Christian”.

Memorial to James Stamper Opening Prayer: Oh Lord God we know our brother is now safely in your loving arms, I humbly ask you Father to ease the suffering of everyone here today morning the loss of a true friend of the faith. Father may your Spirit guide us as we reflect on Your work in the life ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Persecution Paradox Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 30, 2020

We shouldn’t be surprised when persecution comes. In fact, Jesus closes out the section of the Beatitudes with a paradox. We will be persecuted. It’s inevitable. But the blessing we will receive is out of this world!

The Jesus Manifesto: The Persecution Paradox Matthew 5:10-12 Chenoa Baptist Church Pastor Jefferson M. Williams It Has Begun It’s been fourteen months since that fateful day in September 2026. In a landmark, unprecedented seven to three vote, the Supreme Court labeled Christianity a “hate ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Deadly Character Flow - Pride - Genesis 11 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

I’m surprised that my wife married me. Because if you hear our story of how we met, the very first time that we met Carrie was impressed with my arrogance.

Today I’d like to talk to you about pride. How many of you would say you have a problem with the sin of pride? I find it hard. It's kind of frustrating. Can I just say it’s a frustrating topic to preach about? I think it’s frustrating to preach about it because the people who need to hear about ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Faith Looks Like Series

Contributed by James Wallace on May 11, 2021

This is a reality check. When you're surprised by the challenges of the Christian life and even tempted to quit, consider how the people who are part of Faith's Hall of Fame lived.

This past week we all heard about another horrific tragedy on the border. Three people died and 25 were injured as smugglers attempted to bring dozens of illegal immigrants into the U.S. via boat along the California Coast. The 40-foot boat broke up on a reef just west of Point Loma off the San ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-16, Romans 1:18-20, Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Bible Church

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

God Has Some Big Windows...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Nov 19, 2014

GOD IS NEVER CAUGHT BY SURPRISE.Do we really trust his plan? The plan may take us to the back side of the desert? Is that still God? Beware the negative message can be deadly?

GOD HAS BIG WINDOWS... IN ONE DAY... ACCEPT NOTHING LESS... By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. 2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Job 14:14 If ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Confronts Adultery Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 30, 2017

Who is guilty of adultery? Jesus gives us the answer in the Sermon on the Mount and what He reveals might just surprise us; but, if it doesn't, it certainly ought to change our behavior.

JESUS CONFRONTS ADULTERY Matthew 5:27-32 INTRODUCTION ** We introduced this sermon with a 4 minute drama of the woman caught in adultery ** A. WHO IS AN ADULTERER? 1. Those Who Practice Wicked Deeds. Mt 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; Jesus chose murder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Multiple Meanings Of Marvelous Grace Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

Most often Christians define grace as only unmerited favor, but this is putting a limit on the word which the New Testament does not do. It should not be surprising that grace can also mean merited favor.

A snowstorm made it impossible for a guess speaker to get to the church where he was to preach. Therefore, a local man was asked to come in as a substitute. The speaker began by explaining the meaning of substitute. If you break a window he said, and then place a cardboard there instead--that is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:2

"a Friend Who Harms You"? Is There Such A Thing?

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Jun 12, 2025

Isn’t a friend supposed to treat you well? Why do friends quickly turn into enemies? Don’t be surprised, because incidents like this have happened since ancient times

"A Friend Who Harms You"? Is There Such a Thing? Isn’t a friend supposed to treat you well? Why do friends quickly turn into enemies? Don’t be surprised, because incidents like this have happened since ancient times. Look at these Bible verses I quote: Proverbs 18:24 in various versions ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Little Things Add Up: The Test Of Little

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 15, 2025

Often we miss how important little things can be. Behind every successful man is a surprised moth-in-law? To be successful we must be faithful to finish little task.

LITTLE THINGS ADD UP…. THE TEST OF LITTLE THINGS… By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) (Two part) A man works at a car factory… getting paid a fair wage for a fair day’s work. His job is to grease the u-joint on the drive train. He gets busy joking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:15-23, 1 Kings 17:5, Matthew 5:23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Very Naughty Figs..." By Dr. Winson Butler

Contributed by Winson Butler on Nov 9, 2004

When you give a lesson in MEANESS to a critter or a person, don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson. The same goes for the children of Israel as they discovered the truth behind the "Naughty figs.." let’s examine it together!

Introduction What a contrast. I can hear Israel now, "We’ve been called many things, but, naughty figs, that takes the cake..." Jeremiah was his name. Called tyo proclaim the message that Judah would be destroyed by a foe from the north. God promised that he would protect Jeremiah as he became ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 24:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Who's Righteousness Is It Anyway?

Contributed by Rick Young on Dec 1, 2004

What the real difference in being righteous in God’s eyes and in mans eyes? Why are we sometimes made to feel we have to GET righteous, in order to BE righteous? The answer may surprise you.

Have you ever felt rejected by a church or group simply because you weren’t "good enough"? Have you ever been told by someone you were living in sin because you couldn’t seem to live up to certain rules or guidelines? Have you ever wondered why it is that many times we are made to think we must ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Handling The Power Encounter

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Dec 7, 2006

As Paul and his team went out into a dark world, it was no surprise that there were times when the light came smack up against the darkness. These "power encounters" are inevitable. How do we handle them?

Passage: Acts 16:16-41 Intro: When we hear the word power, certain pictures come to mind. 1. huge guns, bombers, nuclear warheads. 2. human beings are obsessed with power, we love to be the ones with more. 3. every Sunday in the Fall, teams walk onto the football field for a “power encounter,” to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Do I Really Need This Christmas? Series

Contributed by Mike Quinn on Jan 19, 2006

God knows what we need, at Christmas and throughout the year. The birth of Jesus caught the Hebrew people by surprise. The gift of the Messiah was different than what they expected, but God knew what they really needed.

What do I really need this Christmas? “A Reel Look At Christmas” Luke 2:1-20 Intro idea: Funny Christmas presents, lots of times people don’t know what we really need. Sometimes we don’t even know… First movie clip of pink outfit… Luke 2:4-17 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational