Sermons on Surprising:

What Is The Destiny Of Your Church?

Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Oct 7, 2012

Through Ezekiel the Prophet, God provides a certain destiny and purpose of the modern Christian church and most of us will probably be surprised to hear it.

In Alice in Wonderland, when Alice comes to a junction in the road that leads in different directions, she asks the Cheshire Cat, "Cheshire-Puss...would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to go to," said the Cat. "I don't much ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Place At The Right Time Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2011

When God provided His Son on Christmas and throughout his earthly life, God did it right. No surprises, no failures, no forgotten details.

The Right Place at the Right Time (Galatians 4:4-5) 1. We noticed in previous weeks that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. He was born in the right place. 2. A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Did Lazarus And The Rich Man Really Go To Heaven Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Nov 12, 2017

What you may not know about what happened to Lazarus and the rich man will really surprise you. There is some deeper insight into this.

In Luke 16:19–31 Jesus told a very strange story about a rich man, whom He didn’t name, and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus, a beggar who lay at the rich man’s gate, was covered with sores and had very little to eat. In due time both men died. Angels carried ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Is There Not A Cause...”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 28, 2022

Life is filled with many surprises. That is, there are times when we feel we can depend on some things and then they disappoint us. For example,

Illus: Some of you have bought new cars because you wanted some dependable transportation. Then you found that new car, that you thought would surely be dependable, stranded you on a roadside. There are many things we have thought would be dependable that turned out not to be. Then there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

#1then God, Don't Be Surprised When The Answer Knocks At Your Door. Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 18, 2007

The prayer meeting was intense, the knock on the door was clear, but the suggestion was: ARE YOU CRAZY. We have problems, THEN GOD COMES AND HELPS!

#1 THEN GOD! The answer is knocking at the door! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson. I did this part in two parts. I. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED HOW HEAVY LIFE CAN BECOME? WE NEED A MOVE OF GOD! Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-17 - Surprise! I'm Already Here! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 21, 2010

Why are people still turning up to Jesus as John's disciples and wanting TO KEEP ON PREPARING THE WAY. Jesus has come. The Bridegroom has arrived. Get with the plan, people! He's here. All that is left is to celebrate the wedding!

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-15 - SURPRISE! I'M ALREADY HERE! My youngest grandson had his first birthday recently. My daughter wanted to make it special for him and she invited all her friends with young children to come. SHE SPENT WEEKS PLANNING THIS PARTY. We spent a good week just setting it up. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Things First

Contributed by A.t. Stewart on Jul 20, 2004

What is the first thing one must do to insure his or her spiritual growth? Paul told Titus something that may surprise you.

FIRST THINGS FIRST Titus 1:1-5 Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matt. 5:48). That’s a rather tall order, wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-5

Oh Holy Night Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 23, 2008

This devotional talk about the song, Oh Holy Night tells some surprising things about the origin and usage of this most familiar Christmas song.

Oh Holy Night CHCC: December 24, 2008 (Christmas Eve Devotion) INTRODUCTION: Merry Christmas! Tonight I want to talk about one of the best known Christmas Anthems of all time. It’s not an easy song to sing, but it has been performed all over the world … for over 150 years. This song has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Of The Impossible Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 3, 2007

In Genesis 17-21 we see Abraham laugh in surprise, Sarah laugh in disbelief, and both of them laugh in astonishment when Isaac was born.

Genesis Series # 5 CHCC: February 11, 2007 The God of the Impossible Genesis 17: 15-17; 18:9-15, 21:1-7 INTRODUCTION: I heard it told that one day Abraham was trying to update his computer to the new Microsoft Windows Vista. Isaac said, "Father, you can’t do that. Your computer doesn’t have ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Swineherds Lost Their Jobs

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 7, 2013

The story of Jesus stilling the storm and delivering the Madman of Gadara, TOLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SWINEHERDS. They saw things and got insights that would surprise you!

WHEN THE SWINEHERDS LOST THEIR JOBS Mk. 4:37-39; 5:2-19 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Karl the Pig Farmer Karl the pig farmer was telling his buddies back on the farm about his first visit to a big city church: 1. "When I got there, they made me park my old pick-up in the corral," he began. "You mean in ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christmas Secrets Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

The secret of the star is based on the fact that the more precious the gift the greater the secrecy connected with it. A precious gift is meant to be a surprise and so it is kept secret.

C.S. Lewis is one of the most read and most quoted Christian scholars of the 20th century, but he had to endure the burden of a very heavy secret in his life. He fell in love with a divorced woman and his church, the church of England, forbid marriage to one who was divorced. Joy Davidman, the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:16-25

If You Look For It, You Will Find It!

Contributed by David Nolte on Apr 21, 2021

Joseph's brothers hated him and gave him plenty of reason to hate them back. Instead he did a surprising thing.

They hated him. They despised him. They loathed the ground on which he walked. They had “good reasons,” to hear them tell it. • He was their father’s favorite. • He didn’t have to work hard as they did. • He dreamed that in the future his father, mother and 11 brothers would all bow before ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Brother To Prodigal Son PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 29, 2023

Explore the parable of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing God's unconditional love, the joy of reconciliation, and the importance of being open to the surprises and lessons each day brings.

Good morning, brothers and sisters! I hope this day finds you full of joy and peace. Today, we're going to delve into a familiar parable that Jesus shared, one that beautifully illustrates God's unconditional love and the joy of reconciliation – the story of The Prodigal Son. [Read passage] As ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11-32

Topics: Love, God

Celebrate What God Has Done Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 25, 2024

He is faithful. He is faithful for the future just as much as he has been in the past. Trust Him for the road ahead. Though it seems so very uncertain, God is trustworthy, our part is to hold on tight as God begins to do a new thing in our lives. The future is bright.

There was once a great and mighty citadel of the faith. It’s members were many, it’s band large, it’s youth growing in the faith, it’s members organized and energized, it’s outreach far and wide, it’s services many and multiplied, and it’s reputation, as one of the premier citadels of the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14, Acts 1:9-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Why Was Crucifixion The Passion Of The Romans Series

Contributed by Dale Harlow on Mar 23, 2004

The Romans seemed to enjoy the crucifixion. This message explains why, while answering the question, "who really did crucify Jesus?" The answer might surprise you!

Title: Why was Crucifixion the Passion of the Romans? Text: Galatians 2:20 Three men participating in army war games were hit with paint pellets, which were fired at them by their opponents. According to the rules of the war games they were legally dead and no longer permitted to participate. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6, Galatians 2:20-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ