Sermons on Surprising:

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

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

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 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

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

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

"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

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

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 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

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