Sermons on Surprises:

John Chapter 3 Part 1 Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 12, 2013

Nicodemus. The first three verses of this chapter contain a surprising exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus. It is almost as if they are having completely different conversations. What is this all leading up to???

John 3:1-15 “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-3

Denomination: Nazarene

Suffering, Carrying Your Cross And Denying Yourself.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Mar 2, 2015

This sermon it is about suffering, and taking up our crosses, and denying ourselves, and loosing our lives. Where is the honour and hope and victory and glory in that one? Well you will be surprised!

Welcome Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Today is the 2nd Sunday in lent; and the theme of today’s service is about suffering, … about taking up our crosses, … and denying ourselves, … while loosing our lives. This was a very difficult ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Episcopal

Does This Describe Me (Hix)

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jan 12, 2015

Why is Paul telling us all this? Because of two reasons: 1-Don’t be like these people! 2-Don’t be surprised there are people like this in church!!

2 Timothy 3:4-Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (KJV) 4-traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (NKJV) 4-They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. (NLT) 4-They ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Providence Through Women Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 21, 2021

The surprising thing is you have what you have because of the providence of God in the lives of women like Vashti. She was used to save Judaism, and this is our heritage as Christians.

Paul Aurandt tells this fascinating true story that deals with the paradox of positive rebellion. In April of 1847 it looked as if Mexico was ready to make peace with the United States. President James Polk chose Nicholas Trist to go as a peace commissioner. On his way Trist spoke to reporters ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:10-22

The Violent Battle Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Oct 22, 2020

So many of the Christmas stories happen at night. The shepherds are surprised at night by an angel. Jesus is born at night in a filthy manger. The Magi see a star that leads them to Jesus.

The Last Word – Revelation 12 The Violent Battle of Christmas October 11, 2020 So many of the Christmas stories happen at night. The shepherds are surprised at night by an angel. Jesus is born at night in a filthy manger. The Magi see a star that leads them to Jesus. Revelation 12:1-6 NIV A great ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:1-6, Matthew 2:13-16, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 17:14, 1 John 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Battle Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 18, 2019

So many of the Christmas stories happen at night. The shepherds are surprised at night by an angel. Jesus is born at night in a filthy manger. The Magi see a star that leads them to Jesus.

The Battle of Christmas December 22, 2019 So many of the Christmas stories happen at night. The shepherds are surprised at night by an angel. Jesus is born at night in a filthy manger. The Magi see a star that leads them to Jesus. This is not a message about public nativity scenes or arguments ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-16, Revelation 12:1-6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Revelation 12:17, Revelation 17:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pilate's Wife

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Apr 2, 2022

It is surprising, and sad, that the only testimony (in effect) on Jesus’ behalf during the trial was made, not by any of Jesus’ disciples, nor apostles, nor followers, but by Pilate’s wife.

Pilate's Wife Matt. 27:11-26 The chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole council of the Sanhedrin had decided to put Jesus to death. They had Jesus brought before Pilate the governor to pronounce the death sentence. (Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66; 23:1) Pontius Pilate was the fifth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seeing Jesus Face To Face Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 4, 2005

What would it be like to see the risen Lord? John did - but it was in a lonely and desolate place. Are you in such a place? You might be surprised at what the Lord can show you there.

The first chapter of Revelation holds the key to the entire book. We find that key in verse 19 - and we’ll get there shortly - it is an outline that is crucial in revealing God’s plan for us and for planet earth. But in order to understand the book we also need to understand its author. John was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Who Is This Jesus?

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 13, 2003

In these first few verses of Hebrews, we get an overview of God’s view of who Jesus was. It may surprise us the language that God uses to describe His Son.

Passage: Hebrews 1:1-4 Intro: When we don’t understand something, or we fear something, we tend to trivialize it Il) standing on the tee of a shot over water, onto a small green surrounded by sand traps, you’d be amazed at how we talk to ourselves. 1. we cut things down to a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Spotting Bad Leaders - Growing Good Ones Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

What makes good leadership material? It might surprise you that it’s not the strong, dictatorial man-in-charge, but is someone who models the gentle and giving spirit of Jesus.

Timothy found himself in a pickle. False teachers had come in and were fomenting dissent among the men and using freedoms in Christ to pull women off into their deception and rebellion. Some of these men were leaders in the church. He needed a strong hand to put this troubled church back on track ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Walk Worthily Of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1-6) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

The surprising thing about this, is how Paul unpacks "worthily." It's more about living in peace, unity, and love, than anything else.

Let's start today, by simply reading our passage. Ephesians 4:1-6: Therefore , I exhort you, I, the prisoner of the Lord, worthily to walk of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, hurrying to keep the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

The Saint In Depression Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 1, 2021

It should be no surprise that God's people get depressed. It is normal for Christians to get athletes foot, tooth aches, and gray hair. It is also normal for them to get depressed.

I read a humorous story that fits the experience of Job. A man was on his roof trying to fix the TV antenna. Suddenly it began to rain, and while struggling with the guy wires he slipped. As he tumbled down the roof, he made a last ditch effort to grab the drain trough. There he was, hanging from ...read more

The Cloud

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 7, 2020

Surprising things we can learn about the cloud mentioned in the Bible. instead of the text being more about the return of Christ, It is Hope in the text may hold more weight.

The Cloud 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1. This text many believe is a story of how the return of Christ will transpire • After Jesus’ ascension, angels had told those who witnessed the event that he would return (Acts 1:11), and most of his then disciples assumed that meant Jesus was coming back ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Methodist

1. It's A Battle Out There! Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Don't be surprised if life feels like a battle some days, or even a lot of days. We have a powerful enemy in the devil and his tricks can be dangerous.

This morning we begin a new part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. You could call it the grand climax. I love Ephesians because of the picture that it gives of the church. The church, blessed by God, united, holy, and now, finally, in Ephesians 6:10-17, the church militant. Please stand for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Jesus' Heads-Up: The World Will Hate You (John 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 29, 2022

So don't be surprised, or discouraged. Prepare yourselves, testify anyway, and don't fall away. Also, how the Spirit partners with you, in testifying to the world.

Let's start this morning by rereading John 15:18-16:4. In these verses, Jesus describes our relationship to the world: (18) If the world, you, it hates, know that me, before you, it has hated. (19) If of/from the world, you were, the world would love its own. Now, because of/from the world ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33