Sermons on Surprise:

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

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

Happy Surprise At The Judgment

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 27, 2021

Most think that when they stand before God in Judgment, it won't be pleasant, because they know their faults, weaknesses, & selfish. What if instead, we receive from God a ringing commendation and a smile of approval?

HAPPY SURPRISE AT THE JUDGMENT Mt. 25:34-40 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: WRONG IMPRESSIONS 1. Laurie Navin, in Reader’s Digest, told how her beloved family dog “Lucky” passed away. She was trying to explain what had happened to her four-year old son Ian, in terms he might could understand. 2. She ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-40

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprise - Nothing Is Impossible With God

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Dec 21, 2002

Fourth Sunday in Advent: God’s surprising announcement to Mary - why it is our surprise too. Nothing is impossible with God.

Surprises come in all shapes and sizes. Four birthdays ago, I thought that I was going to have a quiet dinner with Sofi and a couple of friends. It had been a tough several weeks. I was turning over the office where I worked because we were moving to San Antonio. At home – chaos – furniture all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Lutheran

"Do Disturb" Sign !!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Dec 6, 2011

TO INSPIRE A SPIRIT OF AWE AND WORSHIP IN THE READERS BY FOCUSING UPON ONE OF THE MANY UNIQUE TRAITS IN OUR SINGULAR GOD...I,E...HE IS A GOD OF "SURPRISES"...

"DO DISTURB" SIGN…!!! First things first. Why was man created? Let the revered Christian document namely the West minister catechism give the answer “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” And when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:6-7

Denomination: *other

Surprise: It's Not What I Expected

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 15, 2018

Life does not always happen the way we plan it or expect it to follow. We have to remember that God's plan is for us to decrease so that Jesus might increase. We Look at the life of John the Baptist

Surprise--It’s Not What I Expected by Rick Gillespie-Mobley Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-66 6/10/2018 Text Matthew 11:1-11:11 Surprised, It’s Not What I Expected! Have you ever been surprised, but in a negative sort of way. Your hopes got really high for something, but when it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Be Surprised!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 18, 2015

I believe that there are people who will be surprised at many things. People will someday stand before the judgment of God & express surprise that they are lost.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK ILL. The A P Wire Service reported this story out of Nashville, TN a few years ago. A TN Highway Patrolman stopped a car that was a total wreck. It had 3 flat tires. Every window had been broken out, & the roof was caved in, indicating ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Matthew 7:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"embracing The Surprises Of The Lord

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Mar 3, 2024

Here is a sermon inspired by the theme of being surprised by God.

Here is a sermon inspired by the theme of being surprised by God. Introduction: - Have you ever experienced a surprise that completely changed your perspective or direction in life? The Lord has a way of surprising us in unexpected and powerful ways. Main Points: 1. The Unexpected Path: The Lord ...read more

Scripture: John 3:8

Denomination: Methodist

"The Surprising Birth Of Jesus"

Contributed by Steve Malone on Nov 13, 2001

In this message we will look at some things about the Christmas story that are surprising...

"THE BIRTH OF JESUS" It’s hard to believe that it’s almost Christmas, but it is. Let me give a top 10 list about the closeness of Christmas... YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS IS ALMOST HERE WHEN: 10) There are more pine needles on your carpet than on your tree 9) The credit card is smoked along with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

(Resurrection) Life Is Full Of Surprises

Contributed by Michael Pahls on May 19, 2001

Peter’s explanation of the events leading to the conversion of Cornelius (a Roman soldier and Gentile) bears witness to the surprising and yet familiar ways of God and points us to the new possibilities for surprise that the Resurrection message opens in in our lives.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year C May 13, 2001 Acts 11:1-18 1st CENTURY PALESTINE: A WORLD WITHOUT SURPRISES This passage is all about the surprising works of God but to get the surprise you must have the back story. Hang in there, the payoff in this passage for your life is worth the extended ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"surprised By Grace"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Nov 16, 2023

A sermon about remembering what God has done for us.

“Surprised by Grace” Ephesians 2:1-10 We are a forgetful people. I know I am. I think that is one reason some of us wander from the faith. To remember what the Lord has done is something the people of God have always been called to do. For example, the Lord told the Israelites, back when ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Thursday - An Evening Full Of Surprises Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 28, 2022

Thursday evening was full of surprises as Jesus ate the Passover meal with His disciples. During the evening, Jesus washed their feet, and announced that one of them would betray Him, another would deny Him, and all of them would desert Him. They must have thought He was kidding, but He wasn't!

A. If you know me very well, then you know that I like to laugh and joke. 1. This Friday is April Fools Day, so I thought I might share a few April Fools’ funnies. 2. I heard about guy who years ago swapped the price labels on the pumps at the gas station? It was an April Fuel’s joke. 3. I heard ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Plans A Surprise Party Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 12, 2024

Jesus is telling all that He is about to fulfill the prophecy of Ezekiel.

Saturday of the Fourth Week in Lent 2024 So what words were those that convinced a number of Christ’s listeners that He was (and is) the prophet foretold by Moses and so many other of the early prophets? Our lectionary is not very helpful there, so we go right to chapter 7 of St. John’s Gospel and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 11:18-20, Psalm 7:2-12, John 7:38-53, Ezekiel 47:1-12

Denomination: Catholic