Sermons on Surprise:

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2021

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised! You may know some of them personally. Let’s learn the basic ingredient of true greatness. Let’s look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:30-37.

Prelude Who are the true greats? You may be surprised! You may know some of them personally. Purpose: Let’s learn the basic ingredient of true greatness. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:30-37. Jesus Mark 9:30-31 “Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Baptist

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

The Restoration Of Israel – Jeremiah – Part 10 – Chapter 33:15 – The Incredible Names For Jerusalem In The Bible Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

The message this time is more a study, not a delivered message. It is a bit technical but most interesting. Do you know how many biblical names for Jerusalem there are? This might surprise you. Enjoy what God thinks of His Holy City!

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL – JEREMIAH – PART 10 – Chapter 33:15 – THE INCREDIBLE NAMES FOR JERUSALEM IN THE BIBLE After the lovely study of The Branch in scripture we continue with our consideration of the passages in Jeremiah relating to the future restoration of redeemed Israel that begins ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:16, Genesis 14:18, Genesis 22:2, 2 Samuel 6:12, Matthew 5:35, Isaiah 48:2, Isaiah 52:1, Matthew 4:5, Psalm 46:4, Psalm 48:1, Psalm 48:8, Isaiah 1:26, Zechariah 8:3, Isaiah 60:14, Lamentations 2:15, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 3:17, Ezekiel 48:35, Isaiah 29:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prayer Of Sorrow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 5, 2006

Why would Jesus pray to have the "cup" taken away, if He knew that wasn’t going to happen? Was His prayer simply an excercise in futility, or was there something more to it? I learned some surprising truths as I prepared this sermon.

OPEN: A minister noticed a young boy kneeling off to the side of the room after youth group and praying very fervently. As the preacher came within earshot of the boy, he was surprised to hear the boy saying: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." After the boy finished his praying the preacher approached him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Leadership Traits Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 8, 2009

What do you picture when you think of a leader? What traits do you think a leader should have? Our passage today tells us what Nehemiah’s leadership traits were, and they might surprise you.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ It’s time for us to rethink our picture of leadership in the church. And, by the way, when we talk about leadership in the context of Nehemiah, we’re not talking specifically about pastoral leadership. If anything, Ezra is the model for pastoral leadership. ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Test 6: Pride Test, Part 1 Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2007

James asks his readers where their continual desire to fight amongst themselves comes from. And his answer is surprising. Rather than point his finger at an outward cause of their strife, he tells them it is because of each of their individual selfishne

1. What are the Prevailing Symptoms of selfish pride (4:2-5) 2. What is the Primary Source of selfish pride (4:6) 3. What are some Practical Solutions for selfish pride (4:7-12) JAMES 4:1 Two old friends were sitting on the front porch one Sunday afternoon when one of them began to confess to the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Ultimate Daylight Savings Program

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 14, 2004

God created time, and will someday end it, and in heaven time will be no more. In the meanwhile, we shouldn’t be surprised at the fact that God can stop time if He so desires. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Ultimate Daylight Savings Plan Joshua 10:8-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DaylightSavings.html God created time, and will someday end it, and in heaven time will be no more. In the meanwhile, we shouldn’t be surprised at the fact that God can stop time if He so desires. Sometimes I wish ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:1-25, Joshua 10:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Worry

Contributed by Darrin Fish on Oct 2, 2009

As Christians, we can find comfort in knowing that things do not happen by accident, they happen on purpose. Nothing catches God off-guard. Nothing surprises him. He is carefully, and with great skill, weaving all the events of life together into hi

Worry Death was walking toward a city one morning and a man asked, "What are you going to do?" "I’m going to take 100 people," Death replied. "That’s horrible!" the man said. "That’s the way it is," Death said. "That’s what I do." The man hurried to warn everyone he could about Death’s plan. As ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

Denomination: Christian Church

The Lord Surrounds His People

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Jul 4, 2010

In a day when Satan and his allies seem to be fully in charge of society and government, it is comforting to learn that this does not surprise God! He will reward those who follow Him, deal with His enemies and put a hedge of protection around His saints.

The Lord Surrounds His People Psalm 125 4th of July Message July 4, 2010 OPEN • One need only look around him today to know that America is in economic, political and moral trouble! • We are plagued with financial breakdown, immigration struggles, and moral depravity. • Were we to bring back one ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 125:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Forfeiting Our Forgiveness

Contributed by Scott Burr on Dec 7, 2012

Is it possible to forfeit the forgiveness shown to us by Jesus Christ? The answer may surprise you! Time and again Scripture ties God's forgiveness to our willingness to forgive and by withholding from others what God so graciously extended to us, we are

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:14-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Merry Christmax

Contributed by Anoop Samuel on Dec 7, 2011

Surprise! Celebrating Christmas will not take you to heaven. Many Christians believe that celebrating Christmas is very important which would help them be on the good side with God and will take them to heaven. As Christians, we have to think about how t

Merry Christmax (Isaiah 9:6) Surprise! Celebrating Christmas will not take you to heaven. Many Christians believe that celebrating Christmas is very important which would help them be on the good side with God and will take you to heaven. We are living in times in which technology will help you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 9:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beware Of The Easy Way

Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 12, 2010

We live in a convenience-crazy society. Getting what people want FASTER, CHEAPER and EASIER is the name of the game. We do the same things that people have always done in the past, but everything is much easier now. It is no surprise then that people woul

Intro: We live in a convenience-crazy society. Getting what people want FASTER, CHEAPER and EASIER is the name of the game. We do the same things that people have always done in the past, but everything is much easier now. Through modern science and technology, tedious chores are getting easier all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:17-19

Denomination: *other

The Power Of God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Mar 17, 2014

What kind of power does God have? How is that power given to those that belong to Jesus? The answers may surprise you but in the end they will encourage you to give your life even more to the most powerful person who ever lived.

Paul has been telling the Ephesians about his prayers for them. Though he uses many words to say it, his real prayer is that they would be able to perceive in their minds three things: The hope of their calling The riches of their inheritance The “immeasurable greatness of His ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:20-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Tabernacle Series Series

Contributed by Dr. Steve Newton on Oct 3, 2017

The tabernacle series was taught on Wed evening at our church. 2 Cor.5:19 reads, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to him." From the Tabernacle God reached out to sinful man. We should not be surprised to see Jesus in the Tabernacle.

The Tabernacle in the Wilderness Introduction: I. WHY STUDY ABOUT A SKIN-COVERED TENT THAT COVERED APPROXIMATELY 3/8 ACRE ANYWAY? 1. It Is A Type. (A type is a divinely purposed illustration of some truth.) A type may be: a. A person (Rom. 5:14) b. An event (I Cor. 10:11) c. A ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Beginning Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 28, 2018

Even after Peter's wonderful surprises when Jesus was raised from the dead, he was still struggling to get past his failure. In John 21, we see Jesus giving Peter the opportunity to be reinstated to his role of apostle and leader.

A. I want to begin this morning with a poem by Louisa Fletcher: “I wish that there were some wonderful place Called the Land of Beginning Again. Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches And all of our poor selfish grief Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door And ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ