Sermons on Surprise:

Surprised By Grace

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Sep 7, 2021

A sermon for the Sundays following Pentecost, Year B, Lectionary 23

Sept. 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 7:24-37 Surprised by Grace Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There’s an old saying: “A ship in harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” In order for a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas Surprises

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 6, 2016

Christmas is meant to be a time of surprises, that's why we wrap up gifts! The first Christmas was definitely a big surprise: Jesus' parents,how He was born,who was notified, how He saved, and that He's coming back!

CHRISTMAS SURPRISES Luke 1:26-37 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A Jewish lady named Mrs. Rosenberg many years ago was stranded late one night at a fashionable resort - one that did not admit Jews. The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, "Sorry, no rooms. The hotel is full." 2. The Jewish lady ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-37

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprised By Grace Series

Contributed by Jay Tigner on May 8, 2016

When God calls us to repentance it is a manifestation of His grace in our lives.

UNEXPECTED GOOD NEWS. Have you ever had something happen in your life that seemed really, really bad and unwanted at the moment but in hindsight that very thing you thought was really, really bad was exactly what you needed even though you did not want it at the time? More than that, because of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The October Surprise

Contributed by Erik Magnusson on Sep 15, 2016

How to get the right man in office during election time

October Surprise: How to Get the Right Man in Office during Election Time by Erik Magnusson Member of Belmont Baptist Church of Conyers, Georgia It seems that nobody cares who wins the elections anymore, until it gets down to the last month or two before the vote. Then, everyone gets nervous, and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Brethren

The Surprising Gift

Contributed by David Nolte on Dec 4, 2016

details responses to God's gift

“The Surprising Gift” John 1:1-14 David P. Nolte Have you ever received a gift you could not understand at all? Maybe something obviously “re-gifted” or at least used. I Imagine a few fruitcakes have made a number of rounds. Maybe you received something that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Christmas Surprises"

Contributed by Ray Scott on Dec 16, 2003

This brief message was used after our Sunday Morning Christmas Cantata ... to wrap up the Christmas story ... and prepare hearts so there will be no SURPRISES when we must face Jesus.

“Christmas Surprise” INTRODUCTION: Christmas is full of surprises! Gifts are tightly wrapped in multi-colored paper, so you don’t know what’s inside until you open them (UNLESS, you peeked!). We get “surprise gifts” … o Like that tie that you’ll never wear. o Like the underwear you got as a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

You Will Be Surprised PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 24, 2024

This sermon explores our dependence on God's Spirit, the unpredictability of His path, and the call to self-denial and cross-bearing in following Jesus.

Good morning, beloved. I trust that the Lord has kept you well and that you are eager, as I am, to delve into the richness of His Word today. I am grateful for your presence, whether in person or online, and I am confident that God has something special for each and every one of us today. Our focus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Topics: God's Unpredictability

The Surprising Cross!

Contributed by John Gullick on Mar 30, 2005

A sermon that looks at the cross and it’s impact on our lives.Concludes with a little poem that you might find helpful - I wrote it so it isn’t Wordsworth.

The surprising Cross We live in the twenty first century. There are things that we value in this culture and things that we don’t. One of the most least desirable things to have in your neighbourhood is a prison. Nothing is more likely to drop your property values than the building of a prison ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-54

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Surprising Grace

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 11, 2004

We think of God’s grace as the forgiveness of our sins, but it is far more than that. David experienced the full gamut of the grace of God in response to his sin.

Passage: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 Intro: When we think of the word “grace”, the vast majority of believers focus on the forgiveness of our sins. Il) “Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sins.” “Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt.” Etc. 1. great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Big Surprise

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 5, 2021

This Easter message focuses on the DISRUPTION that Jesus's presence brought into the lives of the selfish priests and Pharisees at His first Advent, their response to the disruption (murdering Jesus), and the SURPRISE Jesus's resurrection was to them and even to the disciples.

Today we celebrate the greatest event in the history of mankind: the resurrection of Christ. Nothing has ever happened that influences the destiny of mankind like that one event. Alexander’s defeat of the Persians changed the course of Western civilization. It was a significant turning point in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:34-36, John 3:16, Revelation 1:18, John 20:15, John 2:12-25, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 8:34-37, John 11:47-48, Matthew 23:27, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Acts 1:11, Matthew 28:1-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Surprising The World Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 9, 2023

This sermon introduction discusses the anxiety some people feel towards evangelism, questioning if faith-sharing should be anxiety-inducing, and referencing Michael Frost's book "Surprise the World" which suggests that not everyone should be expected to evangelize in the same way.

Why does the word ‘evangelism’ cause some people so much anxiety? Do you get images of door-knocking or approaching strangers in shopping malls? Does it make you feel like you’re being turned into a reluctant recruitment officer for the church? Should faith-sharing really be anxiety producing? In ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Evangelism, Faith-Sharing, Anxiety

Sermon Series: Surprise The World

Surprising The World Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 29, 2023

Understand that not all Christians are called to be evangelists in the traditional sense, but all are called to live lives that provoke questions about their faith. This can be done through acts of kindness, words of affirmation, and giving gifts.

Have you ever felt a bit freaked out when you hear the word 'evangelism'? Like, does it make you think of knocking on strangers' doors or trying to convince your friends at school to come to church? It can feel a bit like you're being asked to sell something, right? Well, let's take a chill pill ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:2-6, 1 Peter 3:15-16

Topics: Spiritual Outreach, Questionable Ethics, Faith Lifestyle, Evangelical Practices

Surprise Endings Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Sep 11, 2007

Exposition of Acts 5:33-42 about the surprise ending to the disciples second imprisonment by the Sanhedrin

Text: Acts 5:33-42, Title: Surprise Endings, Date/Place: NRBC, 9/16/07, AM A. Opening illustration: the surprise ending of Cold Mountain or The Six Sense B. Background to passage: After Peter and John’s bold defiance of the Sanhedrin, as well as their bold witness to the Sanhedrin, they are on a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:33-42

Denomination: Baptist

Surprising Words Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Apr 21, 2007

God’s power is at work whenever the gospel is preached. If he could do the things we read about here in Luke 2, there’s nothing he can’t achieve.

You may have heard this story before. A chauffeur had been driving a chemistry professor to dozens of speaking engagements. He’d heard the same speech time and time again. Finally he said to the professor as they were driving to the next engagement, "Professor, I reckon I could give your speech ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Anglican

The Surprise Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Dec 16, 2006

The surprise of Christmas is that God loved us enough to send us His Son to die for our sins.

The Surprise of Christmas Text: Luke 2:1-7 Introduction 1. Illustration: Every year at Christmas, my Mother and I would play this little game of cat and mouse. She would try to keep me from knowing what I was getting for Christmas, and I would do all in my power to find out before ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Methodist