Sermons on Surprise:

Why Did Jesus Have To Die? Series

Contributed by David Dewitt on Apr 3, 2004

The death of Jesus was not by accident or by surprise but rather was a part of the plan of the Father to redeem the world

Why did Jesus have to die? There was a greater purpose for the death of Jesus than many people realize and I do not believe that the movie truly pointed to this enough. However, the first scene Satan tells Jesus that no man can bear the world’s sin. This was the purpose of Jesus coming to this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:8-10, 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Church Of God

The Coming Redeemer

Contributed by Paul George on Jun 6, 2003

Man’s rebellion did not surprise God or catch Him unprepared for the rebellion

Before or shortly after God created man Satan rebelled against God. This rebellion spread from heaven to the earth. Through a serpent Satan convinced Adam and Eve God was not being truthful when He forbid them to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They disobeyed God and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

The Power Of Earnest Prayer Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Dec 6, 2007

The power of earnest prayer is amazing. We should not be surprised when God moves.

The Power of Earnest Prayer Acts 12:1-16 Acts 13:1-12 Intro Acts 12-13 offers interesting glimpses of two congregations at prayer. The Jerusalem church is described in Acts 12 and the Antioch church in Acts 13. These chapters show the relationship between prayer and come crucial concerns in the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praying God's Will

Contributed by Ron Hicks on Jul 10, 2006

You might be surprised what prayer God is more apt to answer first.

PRAYING GOD’S WILL James 5:16-17 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. Earnestly; 1 serious ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

David - God's Surprising Choice (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 4, 2024

The choice of David to be the next king of Israel shows His Sovereignty in action, but also shows that He is a God of Surprises.

"NOW the Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.' And Samuel said, 'How can I go? If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Matthew 1:1, Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 17:37

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Said About Evangelizing The World Series

Contributed by Tim Huie on May 6, 2009

What did Jesus say about evangelizing the world? The answer might surprise you!

WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT EVANGELIZING THE WORLD MATTHEW 22:1-14 1. Illus. of my friend Charles • Had a little Chevette • Saw him on side of road, I thought he was broken down. • “Couldn’t remember where I was supposed to be going, thought I ought to sit here until it came to me.” 2. I know a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Unruly Freedom Of The Word Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 11, 2014

God's plan is truly a surprise, but it is always directed toward our salvation and the spread of the Gospel.

Thursday of the 28th Week in Course 2014 Joy of the Gospel The Holy Father’s letter on the Joy of the Gospel tells us: “God’s word is unpredictable in its power. The Gospel speaks of a seed which, once sown, grows by itself, even as the farmer sleeps (Mk 4:26-29). The Church has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:47-54

Denomination: Catholic

Of Fathers And Baptism

Contributed by Greg Nance on Jun 19, 2010

How does Matthew 3 relate to Father’s day? You might be surprised.

Matthew 3 Happy Father’s day! How many fathers are here today? Matthew 3 has a good Father’s day message in it. John scolded the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees when they came to where he was baptizing. He said (vs. 9), “Do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Is Not A Contradiction Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Oct 15, 2020

What is the Law of the Spirit and the law of sin and death, or are they the same thing, the answer will surprise you.

What is “the law of the Spirit of life” spoken about by Paul in Romans 8:2? Romans 8:1-4 builds on what Paul discussed in the previous chapters, particularly the connection between the law, sin, and death. Romans 8:1-4 seems specifically to develop Romans 7:6, where the two ideas present in our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:2, Romans 13:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are Only A Few Going To Be Saved? The Answer Isn't Cheap

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Aug 18, 2022

Salvation isn't as easy as one might think. Jesus answer is surprising.

8.21.22 Luke 13:22–29 22 He went on his way from one town and village to another, teaching, and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to him, “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:22-30

Denomination: Lutheran

Looking For The Perfect Church: Part 3 Series

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Jan 24, 2003

When we get to heaven we’ll be surprised who is and isn’t there.

January 26, 2003 Morning Service Text: Luke 14:15-24 Subject: Christ’s Invitation. Title: Looking for the Perfect Church: Part 3 The perfect church! What do we know about it? Well we know that it is not here yet. Jesus spoke to seven churches in Revelation. Some of them probably thought they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Living Lyrics Of The Lowly Life

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Dec 21, 2002

One of the great surprises of Christmas is God’s propensity toward working thru the lowly.

- - - - - - - - - - Unless noted otherwise all scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation of the Bible. - - - - - - - - - - "Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed.” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Denomination: *other

Visitor From A Strange Planet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on May 5, 2002

Why was Samson the only Nazirite to be born with superhuman strength. The answer may surprise you.

OPEN: (We played the opening to the original Superman series, as well as displaying a picture of George Reeves - which stayed on the overhead thru the first illustration - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2l4bz1FT8U) "Faster than a locomotive. More powerful than a speeding bullet. Able to ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Expecting The Unexpected

Contributed by Kim Gilliland on Oct 18, 2000

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again.

Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:7-8 FATHERS' DAY CARDS Last week, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

The Winning Team Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Dec 4, 2001

This is the 5th sermon in the "Christmas Surprises" series. This sermon identifies Who wins and why.

Sunday Evening December 9, 2001 Bel Aire Baptist Church Series: Christmas Surprises [#5] THE WINNING TEAM Isaiah 8:12-9:7 Introduction: 1. Kevin and I discuss football quite often. The NFL team, Carolina Panthers, have come up in our discussion several times. This is a football team that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist