Sermons on Surprises:

Surprising Endings Series

Contributed by E. True Neilson on Jan 29, 2015

Though God is never mentioned in this book, his fingerprints are all over the story of the heroic Esther and Mordecai. Study along as we discuss the ins and outs of living for God in a godless culture.

LIVING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS CULTURE Surprise Endings: Esther 2:1-18 INTRODUCTION -A few weeks ago Shelly Szekely texted me to ask what to say when someone else uses the Lord’s name in vain. -It struck me that it kind of depends on who the person is. -What if they are a non-Christian? What if ...read more

Scripture: Esther 2:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

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

The Surprising Jesus.

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

The Surprising Jesus. (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Reading: Luke chapter 5 verses 17-26. Ill: • (a). DVD – Rolf Harris - Jake the Peg (on Youtube or email me) • (b). Kids Talk illustration I WANT US TO LOOK AT THE 4 TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THIS STORY: (1st) The friends of the paralysed man. • Ill: Have you ever had a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Denomination: Brethren

Surprised By Grace

Contributed by H.b. Charles Jr. on Dec 16, 2010

"Surprised by Grace" is an exposition of 2 Samuel 9 in which David reaches out in kindness to Mephibosheth for the sake of his father, Mephibosheth. David's kindness is read as a parable of the amazing grace of God that saves unworthy sinners.

SURPRISED BY GRACE 2 Samuel 9 “O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell in your holy hill?” David begins Psalm 15 with these probing questions. The body of the psalm answers these opening questions. It describes that character and conduct of the person who pleases God. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

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

The Surprise Of Easter

Contributed by Tim Hbc on Apr 2, 2016

Easter came as a surprise to the first followers of Jesus - and it may surprise us, too. Here we find Unexpected Events, Unlikely Witnesses, Unforeseen Grace, and an Unfinished Story.

Introduction Good morning everyone! I hope you’re having a great Easter and maybe had the chance these past few days to look around our Easter Exhibition in the lounge – A reflective journey through art and multimedia on the theme of ‘Hope in Troubled Times.’ What a timely ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Joy Series

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 14, 2011

We should not be surprised by persecution when it comes, nor by the joy we feel when we suffer for Christ.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who went to the perfume counter and told the clerk he'd like a bottle of Chanel No. 5 for his wife's birthday. 1. The clerk smiled and said, “A little surprise, eh?” 2. “You bet,” answered the customer, “She's expecting a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Surprising Gift

Contributed by David Nolte on Dec 4, 2016

details responses to God's gift

“The Surprising Gift” John 1:1-14 David P. Nolte Have you ever received a gift you could not understand at all? Maybe something obviously “re-gifted” or at least used. I Imagine a few fruitcakes have made a number of rounds. Maybe you received something that ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Surprises

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 6, 2016

Christmas is meant to be a time of surprises, that's why we wrap up gifts! The first Christmas was definitely a big surprise: Jesus' parents,how He was born,who was notified, how He saved, and that He's coming back!

CHRISTMAS SURPRISES Luke 1:26-37 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A Jewish lady named Mrs. Rosenberg many years ago was stranded late one night at a fashionable resort - one that did not admit Jews. The desk clerk looked down at his book and said, "Sorry, no rooms. The hotel is full." 2. The Jewish lady ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-37

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Surprised By Grace Series

Contributed by Jay Tigner on May 8, 2016

When God calls us to repentance it is a manifestation of His grace in our lives.

UNEXPECTED GOOD NEWS. Have you ever had something happen in your life that seemed really, really bad and unwanted at the moment but in hindsight that very thing you thought was really, really bad was exactly what you needed even though you did not want it at the time? More than that, because of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

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 But Not Napping Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Oct 25, 2019

The coming of Jesus will be like a thief in the night – unannounced and without prior warning. Our call as Christians is to be watchful, not by trying to guess an unrevealed time and season, but by living as those who ate in the light.

You can listen to the full sermon here:- http://nec.org.au/strong-and-ready/ Message 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Surprised But Not Napping Why is it that there are so many modern Christians who seem to think that we are somehow smarter than the first century Christians. I’ll show you what I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

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

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