Sermons on Surprise:

What Jesus Knew

Contributed by Terry Barnhill on May 11, 2010

He’s telling you not to be surprised “if the world hates you”, and then he’s telling you why it hates you. It’s precisely because “we love our brothers.”

In preparing the sermon for today, a singular thought pressed on me repeatedly. We read the stories of Jesus. We recite the Creeds of Christendom, and we share the understanding that Jesus was fully God and fully man . . . the divine paradox. But how often are we really willing to make the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's Christmas Stockings

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Dec 15, 2015

In this wonderful little passage we have the great MAGNFICANT but God has also given us some wonderful Christmas Stockings surprises - 1. John's leap of joy 2. Elizabeth's encouragement and humility 3. Mary's reassurances via the Holy Spirit

Theme: Advent # 4 God's Christmas Stockings Scripture: Luke 1:39-55 Proposition: In this wonderful little passage we have the great MAGNFICANT but God has also given us some wonderful Christmas Stockings surprises - 1. John's leap of joy 2. Elizabeth's encouragement and humility 3. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Nazarene

The Danger Of Living With Low Expectations

Contributed by Charles Jones on Mar 4, 2012

I am constantly surprised, bewildered and honestly sometimes even disgusted at how people who claim to love God and claim to have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and even testify of the moving of the Holy Spirit in their lives, live so far

The Tragedy of Living with Low Expectations Acts 3:1-9 Introduction I am constantly surprised, bewildered and honestly sometimes even disgusted at how people who claim to love God and claim to have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior and even testify of the moving of the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Call For New Missional Initiatives -- Acts 11: 19-26

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Aug 7, 2011

Do you long to be able to share your faith with others but have great difficulty doing so? It might surprise you that even Apostles such as Peter, James and John had some difficulties with cross-cultural communication. What is the way forward for a Chu

A CALL FOR NEW MISSIONAL INITIATIVES -- Acts 11: 19-26 INTRO Yesterday -- the first Saturday in August -- is reckoned to be the happiest day of the year. To be even more specific: 7pm is the happiest moment of the happiest day of the year. The statistics are based on a study of more than 9,000 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracle Of Our Met Need - John 6

Contributed by Scott Spencer on Nov 6, 2011

Sometimes we can be surprised by needs. Often our needs hit our lives with such fury that it leaves us breathless or fearful. Unexpected bills come , poor health strikes without warning. Crises often arrive unannounced and unplanned. It might be helpful

The miracle of our met need - John 6 John 6:5-23 After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-5

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Radical Trust Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 2, 2012

Mark wrote nothing by accident in his gospel. Just prior to the arrest of Jesus, he presents a stark contrast between those who think they have it all and those who have nothing. Which group is which? The answer may surprise you.

As we begin this portion of Mark 12, Jesus has just finished his series of debates with the religious leaders. They’re done, but Jesus isn’t. He came to Jerusalem to first proclaim His hostile takeover—retaking for God the thing man had conformed to his own image. He proclaimed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God Chooses The Weak Series

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Feb 5, 2018

Jesus chose twelve ordinary men to proclaim His Gospel message. It was not the Pharisees, rabbis, priest or scribes that He chose but ordinary men. If Jesus chose the weak of this world to shame the strong don't be surprised when He comes calling you!

Twelve Ordinary Men Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 Even before the beginning of time the sovereign plan was for Jesus to be born, live amongst us and die for our sins (1 Peter 1:20). This had to be done for without atonement, God’s righteous wrath (Romans 6:23) would ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Possibility Of Undervaluing What You Possess Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Aug 2, 2022

When the crowd was massive, the disciples tired and confused, and the multitude was restless and hungry, Jesus uses a lad’s lunch to save the day. To surprise of everyone, Jesus said, “GIVE YE THEM TO EAT! The bewildered, tired disciples undervalued what they had available.

Sermon. The Possibility of Undervaluing What You Possess John 6:1-15 “After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. 3 Then ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15, Genesis 21:17, Jeremiah 1:7, Judges 16:26

Denomination: Methodist

A Long Journey To Jesus

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 2, 2019

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12.

What is an epiphany? Are epiphanies common or uncommon? Can we have an epiphany? Let’s examine the glorious and surprising manifestation of God’s power to the Magi, who took a long journey to Christ. Let’s look at Matthew 2:1-12. The Magi Matthew 2:1-2 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Jump Start Spiritual Growth - 2 Peter 1:9a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 16, 2025

Is there anything more frustrating than those stubborn character flaws that you can't change? You’ve tried everything—prayer, accountability, discipline—but the changes never last. Peter shows us the surprising path to lasting change.

2 Peter 1:8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:9

Committing Family - Family Foundations Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 20, 2005

I looked up every reference I could find that used the words “commit”, “committed”, & “commitment” and I was surprised at what I DID’T find. I never found the Bible teaching that we should put our family first! Why?

OPEN: Author and speaker Zig Ziggler loved golf and once took his son with him out to the golf course. His son was still relatively new to the game, so Zig was very impressed by his son’s performance on one of the par 4 holes. At the tee, the boy lifted the ball straight and true down the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Restoring Love Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 2, 2006

On this journey through 5 chapters, James has pin-pointed one practical truth after another. And so, as we come to our last study in this letter, we should not be surprised to find one more important message; this one dealing with restoring love.

Scripture Contemporary Christian musician Kathy Troccoli was a rebellious teenager who drank, partied, and was caught in a vicious cycle of bulimia. But at a summer job, she couldn’t escape the Christian witness of a co-worker named Cindy. “She was the epitome of a girl I could not hang out ...read more

Scripture: James 5:19-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Sermon 1: The Gathering Storm Series

Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Feb 15, 2008

While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, His formidable anger took many by surprise. He sharply rebuked the religious leaders in Israel for turning their

The Gathering Storm Selected Scriptures Sermon Series: Jesus: The Greatest Life of All From the Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll Introduction While Jesus was indeed gentle and kind, He also took a bold stand against sin. In fact, when confronting evil dressed in the garb of religion, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What My Eyes Have Seen Series

Contributed by Chris Gowen on Dec 29, 2009

You can never be the same once you’ve experienced the living Christ. By faith Simeon kept on waiting for the Messiah and one day He got a surprise. There are 5 ways you can know whether you’ve met the Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:25-35 Place: Jerusalem (vv.21-22) They brought him to Jerusalem. The purpose was to present him to the Lord according to the law of Moses. (v.21) His name was called JESUS , a name given by the angel and this was made clear again on the 8th day of his birth at his ceremonial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

A Right Response To The Ground-Zero Mosque Series

Contributed by Patrick Nix on Sep 10, 2010

It’s hype is consuming every possible media outlet: television news anchors, radio talk show schedules, newspaper inkwells, WordPress servers, and email inboxes… ‘Should we or should we not?’ President Obama approves (no surprise).

August 2010: “Ground-Zero Mosque?” It’s hype is consuming every possible media outlet: television news anchors, radio talk show schedules, newspaper inkwells, WordPress servers, and email inboxes… ‘Should we or should we not?’ President Obama approves (no surprise). NYC Mayor Bloomberg & the NYT ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-35

Denomination: Baptist