Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

A Surprise Or A Plan? Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 25, 2021

The church began as a Messianic Jewish movement, but became a trans-cultural Messianic movement. How can we explain this?

A Surprise or a Plan? (Romans 9:22-33) 1, I heard about a pastor after he would preach a man would say to him, “Pastor, that was a warm message today.” or the man would say, “Pastor, that was a warm sermon” or he would sometimes say, “I appreciate those warm words.” One day the preacher caught him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:22-33, Acts 3:18-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

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

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Jul 19, 2014

Surprised by Joy - (Character Study Cleopas) (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: They talked with each other (vs 14, 15 & 17) They welcomed a stranger (vs 15). They shared the story of Jesus (vs 18-23). They were willing to learn (vs 25-27) They practiced hospitality (vs 28) SERMONBODY: Ill: • The newspaper The Independent on Sunday (5 September ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Denomination: Brethren

Surprised By An Angel

Contributed by Mathew Philip on May 4, 2020

God's surprises come in various ways and places

Someone said, “I don't like surprises. I am afraid of them because surprises are either too good to believe, or too bad to accept.” Like them or not, surprises are inevitable in this world. God gives us some surprises throughout our lives. Abraham was surprised by three visitors while he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6

Denomination: Other

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

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Tom Lovorn on Apr 10, 2001

The same joy that surprised the followers of Christ in the upper room that first Easter can bring us joy that is permanent, powerful, and plentiful.

Near the end of the nineteenth century a little church high on the cliffs at the entrance to the English Channel was destroyed by a hurricane. A few weeks later, a British Admiral came to ask the pastor if they intended to rebuild the church. The clergyman explained that they were a poor ...read more

Scripture: John 16:19-20, Luke 24:41

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

An Unpleasant Surprise

Contributed by Dan Erickson on Nov 21, 2000

Jesus warns some people of the consequences of rejecting Him.

You did not study real hard for the math test. After all, you are a pretty sharp guy and you have always gotten good grades in the class. The test seemed pretty easy, and you are fairly certain you aced it. The teacher is handing the tests back right now. You glance over at Jimmy at the next desk. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Prayer Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Oct 19, 2012

Even as I’m concerned about people who misunderstand the purpose of prayer, I’m also concerned about those who do understand, but who seem to pray with no expectation of God honoring prayers or acting on our behalf.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (In preparing this message as part of a sermon series on “Prayer” I have borrowed heavily, and adapted, from an outstanding sermon of the same title by Mike Hays of the Britton Christian ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Surprise Beginnings Series

Contributed by David Owens on Apr 11, 2016

This is the first sermon in a series on the life of the apostle Paul. We will be looking to become like Jesus by following Paul's example. The primary resource for the series is Charles Swindoll's book Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit.

A. Once a five-year-old named Brian was impressed by the story of Simeon the Stylite, a Syrian hermit who lived in the 5th century. 1. Simeon the Stylite was admired as a saint because he lived for more than 35 years on a platform atop a high pillar. 2. Determined to follow Simeon’s ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Waiting For The Surprise

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on May 28, 2009

A Surprise God, A Surprise Blessing, A Surprise Interruption Surprise on the Run

Today marks the beginning of the season of Advent, a time of preparation, a time of the Messiah’s coming, going and coming, a time of great expectation and great anticipation. But exactly what is advent and what are we anticipating? What are we getting ready for? What do we expect to happen? Are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-44

Denomination: United Methodist

A Day Of Surprises

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 21, 2000

When the power of God intersects with daily life the results are surprising and miraculous

A Day of Surprises Acts 3:1-10 I. The Routine A. The routine of Peter and John 1. Peter and John were going to the Temple a.) This was a part of their daily practice b.) This is a time for prayer – Our time with God should never be routine c.) Peter and John spent time with God on a regular ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Easter's Surprises

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 1, 2001

What God does is eternal -- We are surprised by significance. What God does is impossible -- We are surprised by power. What God does is unexpected -- We are surprised by joy.

I will never forget walking into the funeral home several years ago to meet with the family who had just lost a 40-year-old son and husband. He was not dressed in a typical suit, but a pair of bib overhauls and a dirty ball cap. He had died of a heart attack, but in the pocket of his ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist