Sermons on Surprise:

I Love Sundays - Because Of How God Surprised Me Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 23, 2015

God wants to surprise you on Sundays to show you He is who He says He is. Are you willing to let Him surprise you? If you let Him surprise you on Sunday then watch out surprises will also come Monday thru Saturday! God loves to say, “Surprise!”

Opening Video from Outreach kit Back to Church Sunday: Sundays can surprise you! Series: I love Sundays! Opening Illustration: Have you ever been surprised? Show pictures of surprises! Sermon: Because God surprised me! Thesis: God wants to surprise you on Sundays to show you He is who He says ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by David Nolte on May 3, 2021

You never know what surprise will come next.

Life is full of surprises, some are pleasant, some are unpleasant, some are funny, and some bring tears, some are enjoyable, exciting events and some are dreaded, dismal disasters. Let me tell you about one of Marlene’s surprises. When Wayne Goodman was my assistant minister at Eastside, he was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Surprise Behind The Door Series

Contributed by Stu Hodges on Jun 11, 2013

God specializes in surprises on the other side of a closed door.

Have you ever been surprised by what’s behind the door? I told you last week that my older brother used to wait behind closed doors just to scare the heeby jeebies out of me. That was always a surprise. In fact, last week I did this thing where all throughout my sermon I opened and closed ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Be Surprised

Contributed by Bill Butsko on Jun 25, 2010

To do the will of the Father is mandatory to gain entrance into the kingdom of God.

Text: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 7:21). How many of you are thoroughly convinced and know without a shadow of doubt that you will enter the kingdom of heaven? As Christians, all of us are sure that this is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-29

Denomination: Christian Church

Palm Sunday Surprise Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Mar 28, 2015

The celebration of Palm Sunday has always been a bittersweet moment in the life of the Church: the palm branch represented victory, triumph and peace, but the people in the Palm Sunday Parade missed the distinct KIND of victory and peace demonstrated.

The Palm Sunday Surprise Luke 19:41-44 The celebration of Palm Sunday has always been a bittersweet moment in the life of the Church: Symbolically the palm branch represented victory, triumph and peace, but the cries of the people in the Palm Sunday Jesus Parade missed the distinct KIND of victory ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Will Surprise You Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Aug 7, 2018

God does not always show up exactly when and how we want, but He always shows up.

JESUS WILL SURPRISE YOU When I was a kid I wanted to be a scuba diver. A friend brought over his scuba gear to our pool when I was 12 and let me try it, and from that moment I was hooked. I wanted to be the next Jacques Cousteau. For those of you who do not know who that was, he was a French ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Peter's Wonderful Surprise Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 20, 2018

After denying Jesus three times, Peter must have felt that Jesus would want nothing more to do with him, but on resurrection morning Peter received two wonderful surprises that told him he couldn't be more wrong about that.

Introduction: A. One day an attorney gathered the entire family for the reading of the will of their wealthy relative. 1. Kinfolk came from near and far, to see if they were included in the bequests. 2. The lawyer somberly opened the will and began to read: “To my cousin Ed, I leave my ranch. To ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-7, Luke 24:30-35, 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Be Surprised

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 23, 2016

There are plenty of things in life that can surprise us, like a sudden noise or an unexpected event. Well, there are some things that happen to us as a Christian that can surprise us but they shouldn’t. Let’s take a look at what some of these are.

DON’T BE SURPRISED INTRODUCTION: There are plenty of things in life that can surprise us, like a sudden noise or an unexpected event. Well, there are some things that happen to us as a Christian that can surprise us but they shouldn’t. Let’s take a look at what some of these are. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Navigating The Surprises Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

God can and will help us change so we can be better equipped to handle change. If we will go all in with God and give our lives to Him, He will help us learn to navigate the surprises of life in a way that brings Him honor and produces something good in o

Navigating the Surprises of Life Intro: How many of you enjoy surprises? I know, I know – it depends on what the surprise is. For example, your tax return comes back with $500 more than you expected – that is a good surprise! Or, back when we used VCR’s… one day you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprise Endings: When? Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Apr 6, 2019

We might think Christ will judge us based on our correct doctrine, faithful church attendance, or moral behavior. But in our text Jesus offers a different standard: our response to the needy people of this world - the least of these.

Surprise Endings: WHEN? Matthew 25:31-46 Introduction We are at the end of our four-part sermon series called Surprise Endings. This parable is different in some ways. It does not begin with “the Kingdom of heaven is like” - leading some to believe it is not specifically a parable. It is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus, The Man Of Surprises Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 3, 2023

As we move through Mark's Gospel, Jesus continues to amaze and surprise the people as everyone tries to figure out who Jesus really is. In this sermon, Jesus really surprises everyone by touching the leper and forgiving the sins of the paralytic.

A. Have you ever thought you knew someone, but then you were surprised by something interesting that you learned about them? 1. What’s true about our friends is also true about celebrities. B. Let me share some of the surprising hobbies that some famous celebrities have that you probably were ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:36-45, Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Epiphany Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 21, 2025

Epiphany has all sorts of surprises for us all and teaches us some very important lessons that can refresh the mind and fortify the spirit, something we all need today in a world that lacks hope!

The seasons of the Church’s year all have a story and profound meaning to tell and Epiphany is such a season that refreshes the mind and fortifies the spirit. It is a season full of surprises; full of signs and miracles and we our reminded of this with the payer for the 3rd Sunday of in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 133:2, Matthew 3:13-17, John 2:1-11, Matthew 18:21-22, 1 Corinthians 15:55  (view more)  (view less)

Surprise! – Easter Devotional

Contributed by Michael Brown on Mar 26, 2024

I wrote this devotional to share with the seniors I do ministry with in church & in a nursing home.

Surprise! – Easter Devotional I need help to do this well. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do something you can’t do. Now, anyone who has ever been surprised about something in life please raise your hand. Has almost everyone here been surprised at one time or another? Surprises can be both ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6, Matthew 27:65

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Surprised Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 7, 2000

There is opposition on every journey of faith, and it seems impassable.

DON’T BE SURPRISED! 1 Peter 4:12-19 Introduction: 1. There is opposition on every journey of faith. It is enough to cause many to become discouraged and quit. It is enough to give pause to everyone – is it worth it? It is enough to seem impassable. It is enough to be classified as a real ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprising Answers To Prayer

Contributed by Mark Haines on Jul 23, 2001

An inductive message using biblical narrative to encourage Christians to turn to God in prayer because he will answer them.

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to cooperate with God in order to receive answers to their prayers. Response: Individuals will ponder Jesus’ question to the man by the pool of Bethesda – "Do you want to get well?" If they do they can come to the ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-8, Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Wesleyan