Sermons on surprises:

"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

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

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

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

You Will Be Surprised PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 24, 2024

This sermon explores our dependence on God's Spirit, the unpredictability of His path, and the call to self-denial and cross-bearing in following Jesus.

Good morning, beloved. I trust that the Lord has kept you well and that you are eager, as I am, to delve into the richness of His Word today. I am grateful for your presence, whether in person or online, and I am confident that God has something special for each and every one of us today. Our focus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Topics: God's Unpredictability

The Easter Surprise

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 20, 2002

Children’s Easter Message 2002

The Easter Surprise Matthew 28:5-6 Children’s Message Easter Sunday: March 31, 2002 How many of you had an Easter Egg Hunt this year? What is this? (Hold up an empty large plastic Easter Egg) What are these Easter Eggs for? People hide them. You look for them, find them and open them. Usually ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6

Denomination: Church Of God

The Surprise Guest Series

Contributed by Darren Ethier on May 21, 2002

Part 2 of 5 of the series, Christmas Perspectives. To the shepherds of Bethlehem and the people in Bethlehem the birth of Christ was a surprise. What were their reactions? Has our "familiarity" with the Christmas Story dulled us to the wonder of this sp

THE SURPRISE GUEST Part 2 of the Christmas Perspectives Series Luke 2:8-20 Read at beginning of service: John 10:14-16 (NIV) 14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-10, John 10:14-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

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

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

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

A Surprising Announcement Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Jul 31, 2010

Jesus' birth from Mary’s point of view. 4 Facts About God’s Messages” that are still relevant to today.

“A Surprising Announcement” Series: Beginnings of a Legacy December 13, 2009 If you’re a regular church attendee, then you know that the giving of “Announcements” is a regular part of most church services. It can also be the funniest part of the service, because ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Wesleyan