Sermons on Surprise:

The Real Joseph

Contributed by Gary Waguespack on Oct 4, 2001

Why did Joesph REALLY want to divorce Mary, the answer may surprise you.

Christmas: Mt. 1:18-25 The Real Story of Joseph! Intro. A little boy was lost in a mall. He didn’t know what to do so, knit hat in hand, he just stood and cried. People passing felt bad and wanted to do something, so they started putting money in his hat. A short while later a Security Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Spirit Of Christmas

Contributed by Justin Yarnell on Dec 19, 2005

Find out what the "real" spirit of Christmas is, it may just surprise you.

"The Spirit of Christmas" At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of Christ, we give gifts to one another, to symbolize and remind us of the wonderful gift our God gave us, when he came to this earth. We’re all familiar with the town of Bethlehem and Mary and Joseph, and how Jesus was born in ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Truth About The Gospel Of Judas

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Jul 20, 2006

The rest of the story about the supposedly new gospel and why believers should not be shaken or surprised.

The Truth About the Gospel of Judas* 2 John 7-9 Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Everyone has seen the headlines. It has been everywhere in the media. St. Louis and Hannibal papers carried the story. “A lost gospel has been found.” “Long-suppressed ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:7-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Merry-Go-Round Of Time"

Contributed by Paul Ray on Jul 22, 2013

God's timing is sovereign, sufficient, seasonal, and surprising. God turns extreme calamity into extreme possibility in the pendulum swing from Good Friday to Easter morning. Change comes as an unfolding pattern rather than a mindless swing of events.

January 20, 2013 “The Merry-Go-Round of Time” Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. 2 He sets the time for birth and the time for death, the time for planting and the time for pulling up, 3 the time for killing and the time for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Denomination: Congregational

God Of The Suddenlies Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 9, 2025

The suddenlies of God are not accidents or coincidences; they are divine visitations—moments when heaven touches earth to shift destinies, open doors, release miracles, or execute judgment.

GOD OF THE SUDDENLIES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Acts 2:1-2 Supporting Texts: Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 48:3, Acts 16:25-26, 2 Kings 7:1-9, Luke 2:13-14 INTRODUCTION: There are moments in life when God interrupts the ordinary with the extraordinary. These are not slow, progressive moves—they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

August, My Month Of Uncommon Testimonies

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 29, 2025

Uncommon testimonies are not fabricated stories; they are living proofs of divine intervention that turn mockery into amazement and trials into triumphs.

AUGUST, MY MONTH OF UNCOMMON TESTIMONIES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 126:1-3 Supporting Texts: Revelation 12:11, Luke 1:37, Job 5:9, Mark 5:25-34, John 11:40 INTRODUCTION: Every month carries a divine agenda, and August is prophetically ordained to be a month of uncommon ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

His Name Is Wonderful! Series

Contributed by Rev. Roberto D. Abella on Nov 26, 2004

The word "wonderful" means "Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; astonishing." To put it another way, Jesus Christ, in every area of His birth, life, death and resurrection, captured the surprise and wonder of everyone! I wa

His Name Is Wonderful! Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." We find here that one of the names given to the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Spring Forward

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 31, 2023

There’s a surprising freedom that comes from following God unto the unknown. Enjoy it.

If you look back on the last 10 to 50 years the amount of change we have experienced in this country is pretty staggering, isn’t it. From propeller planes to space shuttles, from Ozzie and Harriet to Ozzie Osborne, from the Cold War to the War on Terror. But at least we’ve had the same government, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:16-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Starting Point Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 21, 2023

Paul starts his gospel presentation at a surprising point: the wrath of God. Is it justified? If so, why?

- Last week’s sermon was Paul’s introduction, which gave a summary. Now we are starting to work through what Paul shares as an explanation of the gospel. WHAT IS THE BIG QUESTION PAUL IS STARTING WITH? Is the wrath of God justified? - Romans 1:18a. - The first four words are “the wrath of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Peace On Earth

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 25, 2016

Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised.

Intro Who did God invite to witness the most important birth on earth? We might be surprised. Goal Let’s understand that worldly importance is unimportant to God. He has very different values. Sermon Plan We will look at Luke 2:1-40, God’s guest list and peace on earth. Bethlehem Luke 2:1 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-40

Denomination: Baptist

Relationship, Not Rules

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Nov 26, 2003

What are those characteristics that mark a true follower of Jesus Christ? You may be surprised at the answer.

Well, the new twenty dollar bills have come out and I made sure when I went to the bank this week that I got a brand new one so I could look at it. As you may have heard on the news, the new twenty dollar bills come out and just a few days after they were out the counterfeits had already hit the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Family You Can't Wait To Come Home To - Part 1 - Husbands Series

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Mar 7, 2001

God surprises us by telling us that husbands, not wives, set the tone emotionally and spiritually for their homes.

A Family You Can’t Wait to Come Home To (Part 1—Husbands) Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, love ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25, 1 Peter 3:7

Denomination: Baptist

Real Christian

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Feb 1, 2009

This may come as a surprise to you but most people really don’t know what it is to be a “Christian”.

Most of all Mike loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart, and it was with great passion he shared his faith and hope with others. Mike went on to be with the Lord January 23rd 2009 and now rests in the arms of his loving Savior and Lord. Knowing Mike as I do he would not want us to be only ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

God Called Me?

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 16, 2009

We are often surprised God has called us to serve Him and has equipped us.

God Called . . . ME!?!? January 18, 2009 For the past two weeks we have been talking about the church and what God is calling us to do and to be. Two weeks ago we looked at the scripture when Joshua was leading the Israelites into Israel. In order to cross into the land they had to cross the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Lose My Salvation? The Answer Might Surprise You

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 17, 2022

One of the most important questions about how salvation works in Christ is the question, after having received salvation in Christ, as I continue my journey through life, can I lose it? Is falling away possible? Or is my salvation eternally secure?

One of the most important questions about how salvation works in Christ is the question, after having received salvation in Christ, as I continue my journey through life, can I lose it? Is falling away possible? Or is my salvation eternally secure? This is probably the single most contentious ...read more

Scripture: John 10:27-29, Romans 11:29, 2 Corinthians 1:22, John 15:1-6, Romans 11:19-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army