Sermons on Surprise:

What Are You Looking For This Christmas?

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Dec 13, 2008

A message designed to make listeners aware that God wants to reveal himself to them this Christmas in a way that just might surprise them.

Before reading today’s text I want to give you a little background or context. The passage takes place on the Temple grounds about 40 days after Jesus’ birth. Joseph and Mary have gone to the Temple for a couple of reasons. First, it was customary for a family to dedicate their first born son to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-38

Denomination: Methodist

Up Against Jericho

Contributed by Charles Salmon on Jul 25, 2005

When you face your Jericho, remember Who is in charge, maintain your relationship with Him, be prepared for surprises, and be strong and courageous.

Up Against Jericho Josh. 5:13-15 INTRO.: This story is the beginning of Joshua’s leadership of Israel. You remember meeting Joshua in the 13th chapter of Numbers when he was among the 12 spies sent into the Promised Land and one of only two who came back with a positive report. He was Moses’ aide ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:13-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Marching Orders

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Jul 20, 2006

A sermon pointing out the wisdom of God after a popular pastor was moved unexpectedly by the denominational leadership, to the surprise of both the pastor and the Church

Acts 8:4-8,26 13:1-4 The length of stays of Salvation Army officers in appointments has gradually increased over the years. In the early days it would just be a few months or weeks before they were moved again. William Booth even said at one time that no officer should stay in a corps for more ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-4

Denomination: Salvation Army

Turning The Tables Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2015

The path to meet Jesus may come as a surprise to some. Instead of being cloaked in robes of religion, Jesus is clothed in rags of need.

Matthew 25:31-46 “Turning the Tables” INTRODUCTION Whether in high school or college most of us have had the joy of taking a “final.” We studied hard for the final, because a large percentage of our grade was determined by this one test. More than a few all-nighters ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Troubled Times

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Aug 21, 2013

In the last days they will be troubled times. We should not be surprised by it, we just be motivated to reach out while there is still time.

Troubled Times 2 Timothy 3:10-17 Introduction- Turn to 2 Timothy 3:10-3:17. This morning we are going to look at the seasoned Apostle Paul warning to a young believer name Timothy. Paul is trying to encourage him to stay strong in the faith and also challenged him to make a difference. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Denomination: Nazarene

The Temptation Of Legalism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

This is a three to four week Bible Study on the Issue of Legalism, and the surprising places where we may practice legalism in the church today.

THE TEMPTATION OF LEGALISM GALATIANS 5:1-6 QUESTION: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE FREEDOM? QUESTION: IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE FREEDOM WITHOUT LIMITS? ROMANS: 14:12-19: 12SO WE WILL ALL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO GOD THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE. 13LET US STOP JUDGING ONE ANOTHER. INSTEAD, MAKE UP YOUR MIND NOT TO ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Future Of Israel (Romans 11) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Sep 25, 2022

God has not rejected His people Israel. But He has allowed them to be blinded for a time. The reason may surprise you.

The Israel Trilogy, Part 3: The Future of Israel Romans 11 Good morning! Please turn to Romans 11. I want to warn you at the outset that this may be the most difficult part of Romans to wrap our heads around. Did you know that in 2 Peter 3:!6, the apostle Peter admits that sometimes Paul is hard ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Disrupted

Contributed by John Dobbs on Oct 10, 2020

Our Faith Journey is always in danger of being disrupted. Be aware of the things that get in our way. They sometimes catch us by surprise.

FAITH DISRUPTED Exodus 32:1-14 Introduction Our Faith Journey is always in danger of being disrupted. Be aware of the things that get in our way. They sometimes catch us by surprise. When the children of Israel acted in faith and put the blood of the lamb on their doorpost, they escaped ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Changing The World, One Meal At A Time Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 29, 2023

By using our tables to model the character of God, foster community, and surprise our guests, we can make a difference in the world.

Hey guys, let's play a quick game. I'm going to start a sentence, and I want you to finish it. Ready? "The Son of Man came..." What's your answer? You might say, "to serve, not to be served," or "to seek and save the lost." But did you know there's another way the Bible finishes that sentence? "The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1, Luke 14:7-14

Topics: Community Building, Divine Character, Spiritual Gatherings, Sacred Hospitality

The Three Greatest Joy Robbers Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Life gets messy. That’s no surprise. What is surprising is how easily we forget that God wants joy to be our regular experience of life. And it’s the stuff a a messy life where we’ll experience God’s joy. We’re called to live in harmony, peace and of cour

Introduction Over the years I’ve noticed a pattern in how God works in my life. Whenever I’m going to speak about a particular topic God first allows me to personally experience it. I need to tell you…this is not always fun! But God seems to set things up so I have to live out the principles that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Remnant Lives Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2021

The general purpose of Romans 9-11 is to explain Israel’s unbelief and the growing gentile population of the church; the great doctrines about God’s sovereignty are important, but the main point is this: God has temporarily set aside Israel to accommodate the church age.

The Remnant Lives Romans 10:13-11:12 1. It is not often that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, so this means I am obligated to begin my sermon with a Valentine’s story, a true one. 2. “Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Gifts Concerning Tongues Series

Contributed by Rick Macdonald on Aug 8, 2001

The gift of tongues and its companion gift of interpretation are often misunderstood and misapplied, and it’s no surprise they are often called “the least of the gifts.”

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit - part 3 THE GIFTS CONCERNING TONGUES Text: 1 Corinthians 12:10 August 27, 2000 By: Pastor Rick MacDonald ILLUSTRATION: Dwight L. Moody once demonstrated the principle like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gatekeeper, Gateopener

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The pastor has two roles that must not be reduced -- a gatekeeper to guard against useless ideas and hateful attitudes, and a gateopener to let in God's surprises.

Do you think the Lord has a sense of humor? I do. I see a delicious little coincidence that God’s word drops in our laps today. Some of us remember a 70’s TV program, the Mary Tyler Moore show. If you remember that program, you will recall that sweet, nice, loveable Mary lived in an apartment ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Place At The Right Time Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2011

When God provided His Son on Christmas and throughout his earthly life, God did it right. No surprises, no failures, no forgotten details.

The Right Place at the Right Time (Galatians 4:4-5) 1. We noticed in previous weeks that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. He was born in the right place. 2. A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Did Lazarus And The Rich Man Really Go To Heaven Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Nov 12, 2017

What you may not know about what happened to Lazarus and the rich man will really surprise you. There is some deeper insight into this.

In Luke 16:19–31 Jesus told a very strange story about a rich man, whom He didn’t name, and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus, a beggar who lay at the rich man’s gate, was covered with sores and had very little to eat. In due time both men died. Angels carried ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational