Sermons on Surprises:

The Surprising Appearance Series

Contributed by Lynell Friesen on May 24, 2001

Isaiah predicts the arrival of the Servant of Yahweh as a surprise. What does that mean to us?

A friend told me about being in a boat hunting Canadian Geese in the dead of winter on a freezing lake. Bone cold the three of them in a 16-foot aluminum boat hold out for a few more minutes of light and the last chance at a goose. Sure enough their patience is rewarded. Overhead they hear a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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

Taken By Surprise Series

Contributed by Damien Spikereit on Mar 2, 2001

To walk with the Lord in this life, is to walk with him in eternal life.

- A reporter named Karen Jordan who recently walked along the main street of a College University and asked a most profound question of those who were passing by: "If today were your last day on earth, how would you spend it?" She reported the following answers: Tony said, "I would get drunk, do ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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 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

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

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

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

Surprised By Grace Series

Contributed by Robert Walderman on Aug 4, 2009

Like a real, jaw-dropping surprise birthday party, Paul writes about the loving, behind-the-scenes preparations of God in foreordaining that, one day, we would be ’surprised by His grace!"

Preface: Today, I will be starting a sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I’ve entitled it, Highlights from Ephesians, and it is what I term a “broad-stroke” series. As the implies it is not verse-by verse but rather a look a some of the most significant verses from each chapter. One ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Surprised By Love"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Apr 18, 2015

Jesus is with us, even at rock bottom.

"Surprised By Love" John 21:1-19 Perhaps you read the following in the Upper Room Devotional last Wednesday: "I hit the road with everything I owned packed inside my small car even though the idea of leaving my apartment, job, school, friends, and my comfortable life of sin had paralyzed ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-19

Denomination: United Methodist