Sermons on Surprise:

What Are We Seeing?

Contributed by Guy Glass on Mar 5, 2012

WOULD YOU BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT 83 OF EVERY 100 PEOPLE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES DOES NOT KNOW JESUS? I CONFESS, I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I READ THIS STATISTIC. THE REALITY OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE LOSING THE BATTLE FOR THE SOULS OF MEN! YET, PER

WHAT ARE WE SEEING? John 4:35 Do you not say, ’Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. INTRODUCTION: WOULD YOU BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT 83 OF EVERY 100 PEOPLE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES DOES NOT KNOW JESUS? I ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas And Culture

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

Christmas is about God breaking through at surprising times, and showing up in unusual places in the world. You never know when, where, or how God is going to show up. The Bible is full of stories of how God broke into the world at the very time that pe

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army Christmas is about God breaking through at surprising times, and showing up in unusual places in the world. You never know when, where, or how God is going to show up. The Bible is full of stories of how God broke into the world at the very time that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

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

Have You Seen "His Star?”

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 20, 2018

Since Jesus is called “the Star out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17) and the “Morning Star” (2 Pet. 1:19), it doesn’t seem surprising that Jesus' birth would be heralded by a new Star. For truly, a Star had been born!

HAVE YOU SEEN “HIS STAR?” Matt. 2:1-12 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE UNSELFISH REQUEST 1. The Santa Claus at the shopping mall was very surprised when Emily, a young lady about 20 years old, walked up and sat on his lap. 2. Now, we all know that Santa doesn't usually take requests from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeing Easter Though The Eyes Of Barabbas

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Apr 14, 2022

One can only imagine the shock and awe experienced by Barabbas. He was guilty of every charge. He is on death row awaiting execution, then the surprise come. “You are free to go! All can be saved, all need to be saved, and all can be saved to the uttermost!

Sermon – Seeing Easter Though the Eyes of Barabbas Luke 23:13-25 New Living Translation 13 Then Pilate called together the leading priests and other religious leaders, along with the people, 14 and he announced his verdict. “You brought this man to me, accusing him of leading a revolt. I have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:13-25, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:18-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time--32nd Sunday, Year A-- Byoo Bring Your Own Oil

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 6, 2020

You bring your own oil when you realize that you have no control over the moment of the groom's arrival and it may be a while, but when he arrives, it will be a surprise. Rev. 22:7 says, “I am coming back quickly.”

Thanks to Troy Borst for the phrase B.y.o.o. (Bring Your Own Oil) 1. You bring your own oil when you realize that you have no control over the moment of the groom's arrival and it may be a while, but when he arrives, it will be a surprise. Rev. 22:7 says, “I am coming back quickly.” It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Catholic

Breakfast With The Savior Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Aug 13, 2016

Jesus makes a surprise visit after His Resurrection to several of His Disciples before breakfast after they had a night without catching any fish. The visit causes us to remember many things which Jesus did and said during his Ministry.

8 14 16 “Breakfast with the Savior” John 21:1-14 Jesus used “fishing” as an example of His KINGDOM Power to save and provide from the beginning of His ministry. Do you know what the “Ichthus” is? It is the Greek Word for “fish” but became the ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

"Expect The Unexpected This Christmas”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 2, 2023

As some of said, “If we expect to hear the Christmas gospel without the Advent call to repentance, we will find ourselves surprised by John and unprepared for Jesus.” So, we ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the message and ministry of both John and Jesus.

“It wasn’t what I expected.” Whether you are young or old, a man or woman, a girl or a boy, you have probably experienced something that caused you to have that reaction. Perhaps it was connected to some food that you tried. You were feeling a little adventurous and you ordered something at a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Cain, The Mistaken Seed Of The Woman

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Sep 17, 2015

To prove in the bible that every human being born on this world is born in sin, and must accept the LORD as LORD, MASTER and SAVIOR. John 3:7 (Amplified Bible) Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (fr

I. EXORDIUM: Are you the seed of the woman? No. JESUS is the Seed of the woman. Galatians 3:19 Romans 9:29 (Amplified Bible) It is as Isaiah predicted, If the Lord of hosts had not left us a seed [from which to propagate descendants], we [Israel] would have fared like Sodom and have been made ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

When God’s Promises Seem Too Good To Be Real Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2019

Mary's response to Gabriel's message is surprising. The message is unexpectedly encouraging, yet the Bible says she was deeply troubled. Are there times when God gives us good news but we don't treat it like good news?

THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE: Gabriel’s message was unexpectedly encouraging yet troubling to Mary. - Luke 1:28-29. - The message and the response don’t immediately line up. Let’s start with the response: v. 29 tells us that Mary was greatly troubled. Given that response, you would presume that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons For Ministry - Mark 9:14-29 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 26, 2023

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed by the evil in the world—or in the church? You feel powerless to do anything of significance, and the unbelief and disobedience to God is so exasperating. This passage shows us what Jesus did in that situation, and it may surprise you.

Mark 9:14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 "What are you arguing with them about?" he asked. 17 A man ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29, Matthew 17:14-23, Luke 9:37-45