Sermons on Surprise:

John 20:24-31 Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jun 4, 2019

I just can't believe it! Ever said that? That was a common response by those to whom Jesus appeared after his resurrection and it's still a rather common response by many today. Don't be surprised! Be ready!

“I can’t believe it!” Something extraordinary, something unusual, something unexpected happens and we exclaim, “I can’t believe it!” “I can’t believe its snowing…again!” “I can’t believe they actually won the game!” “I can’t believe I passed the test.” “I can’t believe I got the job!” “I ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Advent – Are You Ready?

Contributed by Leo Samuel D G on Mar 30, 2017

The important question to ponder about the second coming of Jesus is ‘are we ready?’ Many would be surprised to know that they are not part of God’s kingdom when Jesus comes to judge the world. Hence, let us give up all evil (even the sins that the world

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Mat. 24:42 1. Will He come? As we are getting ready to celebrate the advent season, it is time to ponder about the second coming of Christ. When we think about the return of Jesus, many questions pop up. The first ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:36-44, Matthew 7:13-14

Denomination: *other

Preaching Jesus

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 2, 2004

I studied with a young female university student whose Grandmother was practicing black arts and had claimed to steal away her image in water. She had been sick lately (not surprising that far north) and wondered if her Grandmother was cursing her. This b

Preaching Jesus Christ TEXT: Acts 8:21-36 INTRODUCTION:1. One of the arguments for the existence of God is the worshipping nature of man. 2. I have often made the argument that man has never found the remains an atheistic society. 3. There seems to be something in man that says there is more to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:21-36, Philippians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Funeral: Hope Secured By Knowledge And Faith

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Feb 14, 2007

This message is based on the story of Jesus raising Jarius’ daughter. Several illustrations are from Ron Mehl’s book Surprise Endings and one from Max Lucado. Death does not care about race, gender or age.... but we have the sure promises of Jesus, guar

In Jesus Holy Name September 21, 2005 Text: Luke 8:41-42 Funeral Redeemer “Hope, Secured by Knowledge and Faith” There is a story in the Bible about a name named Jairus. He was the ruler of a local Jewish synagogue. His daughter, age 12 was gravely ill. She was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:41-42

Denomination: Lutheran

God Unexpected: The Last Part Of The Gideon Story Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2007

God specializes in the “unexpected.” I think it is because what we “expect” is so often not in line with who God is and what God desires, that we get caught a little off guard, a little by surprise, when we step back and see what God is doing.

God Unexpected: The Last Part of the Gideon Story Judges 6:33-8:4 May 7, 2006 Intro: God specializes in the “unexpected.” I think it is because what we “expect” is so often not in line with who God is and what God desires, that we get caught a little off guard, a little by surprise, when we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Oh Little Town Of ..... Series

Contributed by Joe Tilton on May 30, 2013

Luke 7:1-10 holds a surprise! What about that town of Capernaum? And, there's even more that will have to wait for another time. You might want to study some recent archaeological discoveries in Capernaum to augment what you find below. This sermon i

Oh, Little Town of…. A cop pulls over a car full of nuns. The cop said, “Sister, this is a 65 mile-per-hour highway. Why are you going so slow? The speed limit is 65.” “Sir,” the sister replied, “I saw a lot of signs that read 22, not 65.” The cop ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: *other

The Real You Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 21, 2011

What is God like? Is your opinion of God based on an aloof, disconnected, or angry vengeful powerful being who is stern and judgmental? What would He be like if you ran into Him on the street? It might surprise you, but God is a lot like Galatians5:23-26.

I had the opportunity to drive in a foreign country recently. At first I tried to use Google Maps directions but ended up hopelessly lost and confused. Finally I discovered that in this particular country you could find your ultimate destination by just getting to the next community. There would ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:23-26

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

"What If No One Told The Story?"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 29, 2014

So God entrusted the greatest message ever sent from heaven to a bunch of smelly, uncouth shepherds. It shouldn’t surprise us because from the beginning of time he has come to lift up those who have found themselves at the bottom of the ladder.

What if no one told the Story? Luke 2:8-20 Surveys are done on just about every subject now. One was taken with church members asking then which character in the Christmas story they most identified with. Mary? Joseph? The shepherds? The wise men? Most people who answered the question said ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Week That Changed The World: The Day Jesus Conquered His Critics Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 3, 2021

In His final week of public ministry, Jesus confronted a series of challenging questions His enemies attempted to use as traps. One question dealt with the issue of paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' surprising answer would settle the issues of loyalty and obligation to both God and Caesar.

Jesus had spent the first days of His final week shaking up the status quo concerning the worship of the LORD, the reverence due to the House of God, and to recall its purpose. He exposed the moneymaking schemes of the religious leaders, rebuked their practices, and drove out the merchants who ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:13-17, Luke 20:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Get Over Your Past: Divine Direction Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 18, 2017

Are you fed up with living a mediocre Christian Life? Do you want your days to be different? Do you want to be amazed and surprised as God draws you closer to Him each and every day? Then it's time to follow God's Divine Direction for your life.

Get Over Your Past: Divine Direction Its a new year, and we have a new preaching theme, Discovering Your Destiny... Is that something you desire to do this year? Discover YOUR Destiny... Discover OUR Destiny... Maybe your thinking, “Sounds like a nice idea, it would be great to discover and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Deuteronomy 24:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Temptation Comes

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 8, 2008

Do not be surprised when temptation comes at times when you are growing in Christ and when it comes remember that you are a child of the King. Let us commit ourselves to allowing our Father’s words dwell in our hearts so that we might be prepared when tem

When Temptation Comes, Matthew 4:1-11 Introduction Our family pet, Happy the Saint Bernard, really doesn’t eat as much food as one might think she would for such a large dog but just because she doesn’t eat as much food as one might think doesn’t mean she does not have good taste! Happy is not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 4:11

Denomination: Christian Church

Beautiful Feet

Contributed by David Whitten on Nov 29, 2001

I can think of several words to describe these things on the ends of my legs. The words ugly, hairy, smelly and hideous are a few that I would choose. The bible describes feet and you’d be surprised at the verbiage used. Both Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15

"Beautiful Feet" Romans 10:14-15 DSW@cacc9-28-97 Beautiful Feet Webster’s Definition: foot n. pl. feet . 1. The lower extremity of the leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking. I can think of several words to describe these things on the ends of my legs. The words ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:13-15, Romans 10:15-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Bible Proofs From Archaeology

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jun 13, 2006

True faith doesn’t require science to agree, but we shouldn’t be surprised that so much of it DOES! Here’s a look at some of what man has ’dug up’ in recent years. Link included to formatted text and a very necessary PowerPoint Presentation.

Bible Proofs from Archaeology Acts 1:3 ----- [Please go to the link at the very bottom in order to see the ’very necessary’ PowerPoint slideshow used to present these facts with.] ----- Jesus’ existence and resurrection can be proven, and we’ve looked at that in other messages. So what about ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:3

Denomination: Baptist

Bless The Lord, Oh My Soul Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 11, 2012

Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. So what do you have? What blessings has God given you? And are those blessings the same as what David speaks of in this Psalm? The answers may surprise you.

OPEN: Years ago, there was a popular song called “Big Yellow Taxi”, by Joni Mitchell. In the chorus was this memorable line: “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone.” You don’t know what you’ve got… till it’s gone. You know, there is so much in our lives ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rev.# 13~4:1-11 Scene Around The Throne Series

Contributed by William D. Brown on Jul 8, 2009

The people that don’t believe in shouting and praising God down here are in for a surprise, if we didn’t have glorified ears at this time we wouldn’t be able to stand the great magnitude of exaltation that’s surely goanna take place, and let me say that t

REV.#13~4: GLORY AROUND THE THRONE 7-11-09 Today we’ll continue our study of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. We’re here in chapter 4, this is where the rapture takes place as well as what we will experience and witness in both 4:-5:, both chapters are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist