Sermons on Surprise:

The Only Thing Worth Wanting - Psalm 25 Pt.2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 17, 2025

When life falls apart, David doesn't ask for relief from his trouble—he asks for God's love. Discover the surprising strength that comes from wanting nothing but God.

Of David. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach ...read more

The Grace Of Living Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 16, 2004

Have you ever wondered whether tithing was in the New Testament? You might be surprised at the answer. Find out the 11 qualities of true giving to God as we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

For more Bible Studies visit: www.LivingWatersWeb.com The Grace of Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 Pastor Tom Fuller One of the advantages of going through the Word verse by verse is that the Bible itself sets the topic for the day. I don’t hunt through the Word looking for something to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Our Redempton...no Afterthought With God

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Feb 6, 2003

Man’s sin and it dreadful consequence did not catch God by surprise. When God created Adam, He knew that Adam would sin and that to redeem mankind would necessitate the death of His own dear Son.

OUR REDEMPTION…NO AFTERTHOUGHT WITH GOD "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Don't We Grow

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jul 21, 2007

We’re not surprised when we grow physically; we expect it. If, by chance, growth doesn’t occur, we immediately know something is wrong and attempt to uncover the problem. The same is true spiritually

WHY WE DON’T GROW Judges 17:13-15 Statistics show the average productivity of a Christian’s spiritual life is less than three years. Tonight I want to bring encouragement to those who are sidetracked and to strengthen those who are on the right track. Billy Sunday used to say, “If we Christians ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

"I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

when I imagine the story of Mary, and how weeping Mary turned into surprised Mary turned into responsive Mary, I see the power, the potential, the possibilities that come from lives that are lived in relationship with the living Lord Jesus.

“I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” – Series: Seeing Jesus Apr 15, 2007 John 20:11-18 Intro: Christ is Risen! It is true, it is gloriously true – Christ is Risen! So, now what? The greatest story, our most important story, has just last week reached its climax. Our Lord, crucified, but then ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Resolve Conflict

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 26, 2002

We all live with the consequences of conflict – the hurt and pain. Jesus gives us some real advice on how to properly deal with sin and conflict – and has some surprises about a very well known section of Scripture.

How much time do we spend in conflict? It started back with Cain & Abel. You remember the story – the two first brothers argued because God favored Abel’s sacrifice more than Cain’s. You know how the story ends – with the first murder – and it seems, brothers (and even brothers and sisters) have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Christ Plays No Favorites Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 8, 2007

What do you know about prejudice? Have you ever experienced it? What was that like? Have you ever been guilty of it? Be careful how you answer – you might be surprised at the truth.

One of the things that I so enjoy about the study of God’s Word is how it is knitted together so finely that there is nothing that doesn’t fit, nothing that is out of place. Our story today demonstrates this quite well indeed. Preparing for our time together today, I ran into a problem that occurs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wee Little Man Meets A Great Big God Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 18, 2018

Zacchaeus was rich, greedy, corrupt…and short. And he knew something was missing from his life. What happened when Jesus passed by surprised him and deeply disturbed the great throng of people following Jesus to Jerusalem.

A Wee Little Man Meets a Great Big God Easter Series: On the Way to the Cross, #2 Chuck Sligh March 18, 2018 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. This is a shorter adaptation of a sermon from an Easter series by Brian Bill found on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Biblical Baptism

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Sep 29, 2011

What is the method of baptism seen in the New Testament? You might be surprised to discover that many who do not practice immersion, admit that immersion is the New Testament pattern! So what does the New Testament say? Read on!

BIBLICAL BAPTISM Calvary Baptist Church May 11, 2003 and November 21, 2010 Recently my 7 year old son was baptized at nearby Lake Tahoe. With tears streaming down my face, I watched as he came out of the water, then excitedly asked if he felt any different. "Yeah, Mom, I do," he replied. "Now I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Managing Money God's Way: Sharing Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 24, 2022

Money plays a big role in our lives, so it shouldn't surprise us that the Bible has a lot to say about it. In this sermon, we discover that sharing our money should be purposeful, pleasant, and productive.

Managing Money God’s Way: Sharing Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 10/9/16 Most of us have probably heard the saying, “Money talks.” Someone once said, “If money talks, all it ever says to me is good-bye!” I heard a story recently though about some talking money. A well-worn ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-10, Luke 16:11, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:26, Proverbs 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Preparing For The Future Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 23, 2023

In Mark 13, Jesus prepared His disciples for two future events: the destruction of Jerusalem and His second coming. The first event would come with warnings, but the second will be a surprise. Readiness and alertness and trust in the Lord were necessary for both.

Introduction A. One day there was an airplane that was having engine trouble, so the pilot instructed the cabin crew to have the passengers take their seats and get prepared for an emergency landing. 1. A few minutes later, the pilot asked the flight attendants if everyone was buckled in and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Footsteps Of Jesus - Who Are You Following?

Contributed by David Parks on Nov 28, 2020

As we look forward to the unique challenges COVID-19 presented to the church universal and the Surprise church specifically I would like to set the theme going forward , Where He Leads I will Follow – Faithful discipleship in a pandemic

THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS 1 WHO ARE YOU FOLLOWING? 1 Peter 2:21-25 1 Peter 2:21-25 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Stop Playing The Blame Game

Contributed by Neal Gray on Aug 21, 2001

Purpose: We humans always look for a cause-and-effect. No surprise, because we are taught the "scientific method" in all of our schooling. But with God and His ways, things are different. The Lord arranges events that He might be glorified.

"Stop Playing the Blame Game" Author: Dr. Neal Gray Passage: John 9:1-5 Purpose: We humans always look for a cause-and-effect. No surprise, because we are taught the "scientific method" in all of our schooling. But with God and His ways, things are different. The Lord arranges events that He might ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-5

Denomination: Holiness

Who Is Your Enemy?

Contributed by Ryan Akers on May 2, 2006

We’ve all heard the question, Who is my neighbor? But no one ask the question, ’Who is my enemy?’ Inside you will find out the answer to this question and may be surprised just who our real enemy is.

WHO IS YOUR ENEMY? ROMANS 12:14-21 Pastor Ryan Akers Warrenton Wesleyan Church Romans 12:14-21: 14Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them. 15When others are happy, be happy with them, and when they are sad, be sad. 16Be friendly with everyone. Don’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Wesleyan

Understanding The Kingdom Of Heaven Series

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Feb 21, 2007

"The Kingdom" is a mystery to many Christians--Is it physical or spiritual? On earth or elsewhere? Present or Future? The Bible’s answers on some of these questions may surprise you. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Template.

Understanding the Kingdom Of Heaven [Prelude to “Parables of Power” Series] Matthew 13:11 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/KingdomOfHeaven.html The general "theme" of Jesus’ parables is "the kingdom of heaven" a. Many of the parables start with "The kingdom of heaven is like..." - Mt ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:11

Denomination: Baptist