Sermons on Surprise:

Jesus' Heads-Up: The World Will Hate You (John 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 29, 2022

So don't be surprised, or discouraged. Prepare yourselves, testify anyway, and don't fall away. Also, how the Spirit partners with you, in testifying to the world.

Let's start this morning by rereading John 15:18-16:4. In these verses, Jesus describes our relationship to the world: (18) If the world, you, it hates, know that me, before you, it has hated. (19) If of/from the world, you were, the world would love its own. Now, because of/from the world ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

The Cloud

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 7, 2020

Surprising things we can learn about the cloud mentioned in the Bible. instead of the text being more about the return of Christ, It is Hope in the text may hold more weight.

The Cloud 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1. This text many believe is a story of how the return of Christ will transpire • After Jesus’ ascension, angels had told those who witnessed the event that he would return (Acts 1:11), and most of his then disciples assumed that meant Jesus was coming back ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Methodist

1. It's A Battle Out There! Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Don't be surprised if life feels like a battle some days, or even a lot of days. We have a powerful enemy in the devil and his tricks can be dangerous.

This morning we begin a new part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. You could call it the grand climax. I love Ephesians because of the picture that it gives of the church. The church, blessed by God, united, holy, and now, finally, in Ephesians 6:10-17, the church militant. Please stand for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Relating To God's "other" Ministers Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Aug 10, 2022

How should we relate to human government and governing authorities. In the New Testament's most complete explanation of this issue, God has some surprising news for us!

How are we Christians to relate to human government and governing authorities? This morning we come to the ultimate passage in the New Testament which addresses this issue, which is relevant nearly every day of our lives. We face this issue every time we drive some place, whether we obey ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, Acts 5:29, Daniel 4:17, John 19:10-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Walk Worthily Of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1-6) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

The surprising thing about this, is how Paul unpacks "worthily." It's more about living in peace, unity, and love, than anything else.

Let's start today, by simply reading our passage. Ephesians 4:1-6: Therefore , I exhort you, I, the prisoner of the Lord, worthily to walk of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, hurrying to keep the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Spotting Bad Leaders - Growing Good Ones Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

What makes good leadership material? It might surprise you that it’s not the strong, dictatorial man-in-charge, but is someone who models the gentle and giving spirit of Jesus.

Timothy found himself in a pickle. False teachers had come in and were fomenting dissent among the men and using freedoms in Christ to pull women off into their deception and rebellion. Some of these men were leaders in the church. He needed a strong hand to put this troubled church back on track ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Who Is This Jesus?

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 13, 2003

In these first few verses of Hebrews, we get an overview of God’s view of who Jesus was. It may surprise us the language that God uses to describe His Son.

Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4 Intro: When we don’t understand something, or we fear something, we tend to trivialize it Il) standing on the tee of a shot over water, onto a small green surrounded by sand traps, you’d be amazed at how we talk to ourselves. 1. we cut things down to a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Saint In Depression Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

It should be no surprise that God's people get depressed. It is normal for Christians to get athletes foot, tooth aches, and gray hair. It is also normal for them to get depressed.

I read a humorous story that fits the experience of Job. A man was on his roof trying to fix the TV antenna. Suddenly it began to rain, and while struggling with the guy wires he slipped. As he tumbled down the roof, he made a last ditch effort to grab the drain trough. There he was, hanging from ...read more

Seeing Jesus Face To Face Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 4, 2005

What would it be like to see the risen Lord? John did - but it was in a lonely and desolate place. Are you in such a place? You might be surprised at what the Lord can show you there.

The first chapter of Revelation holds the key to the entire book. We find that key in verse 19 - and we’ll get there shortly - it is an outline that is crucial in revealing God’s plan for us and for planet earth. But in order to understand the book we also need to understand its author. John was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"I Never Knew You!"

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 26, 2015

Many people will be surprised at the Judgment Seat that they aren't accepted by Christ. The criteria won't be our works, or zeal, or even cooperation in the supernatural. It will be whether we are known to Jesus in relationship!

“I NEVER KNEW YOU!” Matt. 7:21-23 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Dick Van Dyke once described Mahatma Gandhi. 2. He said, “Gandhi walked barefoot everywhere, ate very little, and often fasted, leaving him thin and with very bad breath.” 3. Thus he is often thought of as a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Joel, The Simple Man Series

Contributed by Paul Basehore on Oct 14, 2014

Don’t overcomplicate it by expecting God to move in a certain way; just expect Him to move, and listen for His voice. What comes next just may surprise you.

Time is something that has always fascinated me. As a kid I would always love to watch time travel movies like Back to the Future and TV shows like Dr. Who. I very rarely can be seen without wearing a watch of some sort. One of the things that has always fascinated me about time is that an hour ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Let's Make A Deal

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Sep 19, 2012

We know that Hezekiah was a man of faith, we also know that his prayer was a prayer of faith. So it doesn't surprise us that the Lord heard it and granted Hezekiah his request.

TITLE: LET’S MAKE A DEAL SCRIPTURE: II KINGS 20:1-6 One of the most popular television game shows of the 1960’s and 70’s was called LET’S MAKE A DEAL. In that particular game show, contestants would BUY – SELL – TRADE - anything and everything from pair of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Vetting S(P)aul (Third Sunday After Easter 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 29, 2022

How do you think it must have taken Saul by surprise to think that he was doing the Lord a favor persecuting Christians when he got chastised by the Lord Jesus Christ?

Vetting S(P)aul Text: Acts 9: 1 -15 Act 9:1-15  Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  (2)  and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-15

Denomination: United Methodist

Proven Love Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 21, 2019

Peace with God is nothing to be taken lightly; it took God’s immense sacrificial love to attain, and its effects in our life can be surprising, it includes walking through difficult times.

Proven Love (Romans 5:1-11) 1. We Vasiceks are in the midst of living out the implications of the verses we are about to study this week.I can’t say what God is teaching others, but it has been an intensive therapy for my patience and hope muscles. 2, You know the rough experiences we had this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Habakkuk Part Two Series

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Sep 24, 2018

This is the second in a series on the Book of Habakkuk. In this sermon I discuss how God's ways are not always our ways, but even when He surprises us, we must still trust in Him.

Habakkuk (Pt. 2) Text: Habakkuk 1:5 – 11 Well good morning everyone… it’s good to see faithful people eager to hear what God would say to them. And we’re in the book of Habakkuk this morning. We started this series last Sunday, and we’re going to pick up right where we left off in verse 5. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible