Sermons on Surprise:

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

"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

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 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

Predictability And Surprise

Contributed by Thomas Butts on Oct 18, 2000

The Introduction and Summary Statement There is a story more likely told for its humor than its exactitude, about Noah Webster, the man who produced the dictionary that bears his name.

The Introduction and Summary Statement There is a story more likely told for its humor than its exactitude, about Noah Webster, the man who produced the dictionary that bears his name. Legend has it that during a party Noah was caught, by none other than Mrs. Webster herself, kissing the maid in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-30

Surprised By Prayer!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

Prayer can open up for us insight into God's will when the way seems dark and uncertain.

Surprised By Prayer! Acts 12:1-19 The popularity of prayer has skyrocketed in recent months. Prayer, talking about prayer, writing about prayer, exploring patterns of prayers and the like have become more prevalent than Tiger Woods' fans at a golf tournament. Prayer has truly come to the forefront ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Easter Surprise

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 20, 2002

Children’s Easter Message 2002

The Easter Surprise Matthew 28:5-6 Children’s Message Easter Sunday: March 31, 2002 How many of you had an Easter Egg Hunt this year? What is this? (Hold up an empty large plastic Easter Egg) What are these Easter Eggs for? People hide them. You look for them, find them and open them. Usually ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6

Denomination: Church Of God

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

The Summons For The Skirt Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Jan 21, 2022

Ruth goes to Boaz at night and proposes marriage.

I. The Submission of Ruth 1. Ruth 3:6-7 2. Ruth obeys Naomi by faith, trusting the counsel of Naomi and Boaz. a. Ruth was sincere in the promise she made to Naomi. Ruth 1:16-18 b. We need to be persons of our words. c. Sincerity in promises is integrity of character. You cannot have character ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

Mary Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 24, 2019

The actions of Mary in Luke 1:26-38 teach us how to respond to God's word.

Scripture This Christmas I am taking a brief look at the three key human persons in “The Christmas Family”: Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. This past Sunday we looked at Joseph. Tonight, we will look at Mary. And this coming Sunday we will look at Jesus. So, let’s read about Mary in Luke 1:26-38: 26 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Unsurprised By Suffering

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Oct 31, 2025

Those to whom Peter wrote 1 Peter were experiencing persecution for their faith. Peter instructs them not to be surprised. This sermon examines four reasons why people are surprised by suffering, and why they shouldn't be.

Years ago, when my wife and I were expecting . . . And notice that I didn’t say, “when my wife and I were pregnant”. That seems to be a thing these days, with husbands and wives saying, “we’re pregnant”. And I know it’s intended as a way for the husband to express solidarity with his wife, and to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Expect The Unexpected Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

There is no such thing as a hopeless case. The lease likely people in this world can become children of God, and can become leaders in the kingdom, as did this Samaritan sinner.

The unexpected is the source of so much of the joy of life. Our three year old granddaughter, Jennifer, was praying at the table a couple of weeks ago. I noticed she was going faster than usual, and she came to the end saying, "In Jesus name, amen." Then she shouted, "I win." ...read more

Your First 30 Minutes In Heaven

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 4, 2023

What will it be like when you find yourself in Heaven? What will be your first thoughts? What will you do? What will surprise you and what will you feel? We look at five things you'l probably think and four things you'll find untrue.

YOUR FIRST 30 MINUTES IN HEAVEN John 14:1-3 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There’s a natural curiosity about Heaven. One little boy asked his Mom, “Mom, are there animals in Heaven?” She replied, “What kind of animals?” 2. He said, “Regular animals, cows and bees.” She said, “I’m not sure about ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-3, John 8:38

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Surprise Of Answered Prayer Series

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Aug 11, 2004

God answers prayers -- and that usually surprises us!

A Sunday School teacher was struggling to open a combination lock on the supply cabinet. She had been told the combination, but couldn’t quite remember it. Exasperated, she went to the pastor’s study and asked for help. The pastor came into the room and began to turn the dial. After the first two ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed