Sermons on Surprise:

Idolatry And Falsehoods

Contributed by Dennis King on Feb 22, 2022

Many of us associate idolatry as simply worshiping a false god. Would it surprise you to read that within the King James Bible and the New King James Bible the words “False Idol(s)” never appear together?

Idolatry and Falsehoods Many of us associate idolatry as simply worshiping a false god. Would it surprise you to read that within the King James Bible and the New King James Bible the words “False Idol(s)” never appear together? Certainly, there are many verses concerning idols, graven images, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 1:5, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

Go Thy Way-The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 21, 2020

Jesus gave this parable to His disciples after the rich young ruler had come running to Jesus but had walked away. Look for the "go thy way" in the text--it may surprise you!

Introduction: Just after the rich young ruler came running to Jesus, and walked away, Jesus gave this parable about workers in a vineyard. This was one of the last parables Jesus ever told. The immediate context stems from the disciples’ reaction to what Jesus said to the rich young ruler. Peter, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Your Feet Wet

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Aug 5, 2019

In healing the Syrian Army commander Namaan through the prophet Elijah, God shows us some surprising things about His grace and the importance of stepping out in faith and "getting our feet wet."

A GOOD SOLDIER, BUT LEPROUS Our story this morning is one of the most remarkable in the Old Testament, not least because it defies all of our expectations of how God deals with his people and their enemies. And make no mistake, that’s exactly who the central figure in this morning’s story is: ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

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

God’s High View Of Submission Series

Contributed by David Mcclain on Jul 22, 2018

The marriage covenant is to be a permanent bond that is created by God Himself. Jesus responds to the disciple’s surprise at His stringent view of divorce by stating that only those willing to abandon everything for the sake of kingdom can accept it.

OPENING SENTENCE: Many of you may not know the name Tim Keller but he is well known as a very successful pastor who built the largest church In New York City, an area considered very difficult to reach, and he did it without gimmicks or watering down the gospel. INTRODUCTION: To honor his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 5:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Nevertheless Of His Coming Back Series

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Mar 8, 2016

This is the fifth sermon in a series about Jesus being The Great Nevertheless. He keeps wonderfully surprising us. Using the Lord’s "nevertheless" statement in the KJV we get a delightful glimpse of our awesome Savior.

Introduction • Have you ever been in a courtroom? Certainly we all have through the aide of TV – Perry Mason, Judge Judy, and Court TV. • Many of us have actually served on a jury. If you have, did you take your work serious? • Anybody enjoy jury duty? Was it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Baptist

The Nevertheless Of His Knowing Series

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Mar 8, 2016

This is the sixth sermon in a series about Jesus being The Great Nevertheless. He keeps wonderfully surprising us. Using the Lord’s "nevertheless" statement in the KJV we get a delightful glimpse of our awesome Savior.

Introduction • Illus. – A Navy cruiser was trying to secure to buoys near her flagship in a congested harbor. The admiral watched the cruiser make a good approach and signaled “GOOD”. Then things went wrong. The cruiser missed the buoys and got more and more tangled up. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Two Sons PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

This sermon aims to explore God's surprising mercy, the power of repentance, and the importance of living out our faith, as illustrated in the scriptures from Matthew 28-32, Ezekiel 18:25-32, and Philippians 2:1-13.

Good morning, church family! Today, we dive into a powerful message of God's Surprising Mercy, The Power of Repentance, and Living Out Our Faith. We will be exploring the sacred scriptures from Matthew 28-32, Ezekiel 18:25-32, and Philippians 2:1-13. As we ponder these scriptures one quote comes to ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:25-32, Philippians 2:1-13

Topics: Parable, Two Sons

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

How God Chooses A Servant-Leader Series

Contributed by Joel Santos on Oct 8, 2007

Let’s notice in this passage as we think about How God Chooses his Servant-Leader: I. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SOVEREIGN II. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SURPRISING III. GOD’S CHOICES ARE SPECIFIC

HOW GOD CHOOSES A SERVANT-LEADER 1 Samuel 16:1-13 This chapter opens with God reminding Samuel of the fact that He has rejected Saul as king of Israel. Saul was chosen as king because the people wanted to be like the other nations around them, 1 Sam. 8:1-5. Up to that point, God had ruled the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Anatomy Of A Counterfeit Believer Series

Contributed by A. David Hart on Jan 28, 2007

My brothers and my sisters it is not by accident that we find nestled in the middle of this chapter a person with the makeup of Simon. I’m not surprise because opposites do attract. The good attracts the bad, the beautiful attracts the ugly, the rich attr

THE ANATOMY OF A COUNTERFEIT BELIEVER Acts 8:9-20 My brothers and my sisters it is not by accident that we find nestled in the middle of this chapter a person with the makeup of Simon. I’m not surprise because opposites do attract. The good attracts the bad, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Family Of God Series

Contributed by Andrew Drummond on Mar 4, 2007

There is a whole society of people looking for somewhere to belong. It should come as no surprise that satan seeks to attack the home and tear apart the church, destroying that one safe place. We must take up the challenge and restore the family of God to

Listen to some of these statistics from the US bureau on Statistics about the 1990’s. Every 30 seconds there was a divorce in America. Every 4th child in America was born to an unwed mother. STD’s have reached medically defined epidemic proportions. 47% of all children in America now live in homes ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-11

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