Sermons on Surprise:

Bearing With One Another, And What It Does Not Mean Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 16, 2023

Christ’s appearances shocked and surprised His disciples.

Sunday After Easter Office of Readings (Col 3: 1-17) We have been, as St. Paul attests, raised up in company with Christ, and must set our heart on what pertains to higher realms, things above rather than things of earth. Now as earthly creatures, coming from other earthly creatures and set in the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17, Mark 9:10

Denomination: Catholic

God's Healing For Anger

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 10, 2020

It is not surprising that anger is mentioned as the precursor of sin throughout the Scriptures.

God’s Healing For Angry Hearts Introduction Of all our emotions, anger is perhaps the rawest, strongest, and potentially the most destructive. Anger is created by our thinking. It begins with an event that we notice and the interpretation we place on it. The result of your interpretation is a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Falling In Love With Jesus Series

Contributed by Bob Soulliere on Nov 20, 2004

Two surprising announcements. How would you react?

Falling in love with Jesus Luke 1:1-4 Part II Based on the book by the same name by: Rubel Shelly The nature of the Gospels is summed up best by John; “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Surprising Path To A Life Of Impact In The Age Of Facebook And Twitter Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 27, 2013

This message focuses on the need to impact lives with small acts of love. Doing that is compared to the idea of living a life of impact because someone has 1,500 Facebook friends.

LIVES THAT HAVE IMPACT: Today many define impact in terms of Facebook friends, Twitter followers, and YouTube hits. - There is a presumption within many in our society today that having 1,500 friends on Facebook, a million followers on Twitter, or a YouTube video with 100,000 hits is evidence of a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-42

Denomination: Baptist

When You’re With Jesus, Expect Surprises

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 5, 2015

Have you ever noticed that Jesus often does things that we don’t expect him to do? Take the stories we read in Mark 7:24-37, for example. He does two things that we don’t expect him to do.

Have you ever noticed that Jesus often does things that we don’t expect him to do? Take the stories we read in Mark 7:24-37, for example. He does two things that we don’t expect him to do. First, Jesus gave an uncharacteristically rude and abrupt reply to the woman’s request for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

God Ain’t Really Surprised You Sinned

Contributed by Joe Mack Cherry on Nov 21, 2010

God knows we fail but loves us and does not give up; therefore we should not give up on ourselves

God Really Ain’t Surprised You Did It by Joe Mack Cherry I. Introduction A. Sin 1. What is sin? I Jo. 3: 4 – transgression of the law. 2. What does it do? a. Gen. 3: 23-34 (Adam & Eve) b. Mt. 27: 36 (Jesus on the Cross) c. Lk. 16: 19-31(Rich man & ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar: Hopeless Situations And Surprising Ways Series

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 8, 2009

AS GOD PAINTS HIS PORTRAIT OF DELIVERANCE WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LIMIT THE WAYS IN WHICH HE CAN DELVIER.

Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar -- Hopeless Situations and Surprising Ways. Judges 3 May 24, 2009 INTRODUCTION What do the following presidents all have in common. James A. Garfield (1881) 20th Herbert Hoover (1929-1933) 31st Harry S. Truman (1945-1953) 33rd Gerald Ford (1974-1977) 38th Ronald Reagan ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:1-31

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Surprising Faith From Unexpected Sources Lesson 8 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 28, 2023

God uses different methods/means to give victory.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. Faith is positive response to God. Why are we surprised? Why were these chosen? 2. None were Levites – God’s priests. 3. Circumstances were black, they illuminated. 4. Oppressors were light haters. B. SURPRISING FAITH – UNEXPECTED SOURCES 1. Rahab the harlot – Joshua ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-23, Judges 16:4-31

Denomination: Baptist

Judgment Day Surprise - Matthew 7:21-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 26, 2021

How can you be sure you're not among those who have impressive, Christ-centered ministries and yet will hear those dreadful words, "Away from me. I never knew you"?

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Advent Iii "Surprises From God, Remove The Impossible”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Dec 17, 2024

Mary and Elizabeth had a surprise from God. Both became expectant mothers. It was part of God's ultimate plan to reclaim His creation from the grasp of Satan, after the failure in Eden. At Bethlehem God launched a mighty counteroffensive that started with a tiny baby boy named Jesus.

In Jesus Holy Name December 22, 2024 Text: Luke 1:35-37 Redeemer “Surprises From God, Remove the Impossible” Luke chapter 1 tells us the story of two expectant mothers, Elizabeth and Mary. Both of their pregnancies were a surprise. Both are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:35-45, John 1:14

Denomination: Lutheran

Judgment Day Surprise - Matthew 7:21-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

Many will call Jesus Lord and have impressive, Christ-centered ministries and yet be condemned because 1) they were not known by Christ (not favored by Him and did not trust and obey Him) and 2) they did not do the Father’s will (a function of knowing God) and are therefore lawbreakers.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

This Will Not Catch God By Surprise? When The Brook Goes Dry!

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jul 5, 2006

God clearly told Elijah to go to the Brook, but the brook went dry. What was wrong? Dry brooks will require greater steps of faith!

THIS WILL NOT CATCH GOD BY SURPRISE! LOOSING SIGHT OF THE BIGGER PICTURE? WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE BROOK GOES DRY? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Holy Insomnia

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

God wants our major priority to be his kind of people even when he’s not looking.

This is a hard week for many of us here. I think all of you must have read of the murder-suicide that took place in our town just a week ago. By itself, it is one of the most tragic incidents to occur among our midst in quite a long time - certainly since I arrived. Two young men in their prime, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Prince Caspian: Calling For Help, And The Unexpected Answer Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 21, 2009

God answers our calls, but not always in ways that are expected, and yet, they are wonderful beyond knowing.

Prince Caspian: Calling for help, and the unexpected answer Jeremiah 32:42-33:3 Faith is called faith because we have no proof. We believe in God and we accept His presence in our lives, not because we can say what He looks like and how tall He is, but because we rely on the evidence of our ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

Treasuring God's Holiness Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Nov 7, 2012

Some things are so surprising they simply shock us. The early church has many such surprises and shocks, one of the biggest of which concerned the generosity of two of her members.

“Treasuring God’s Holiness” Acts 5:1-11 Some things are so surprising they just simply shock us. The team with the huge lead falls apart in the closing moments and loses. The golfer with only an easy, short birdie putt between himself and the championship, winds up with a double ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed