Sermons on Surprising:

Learning To Love God Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jun 25, 2012

What is the most important thing in the universe? The answer might surprise you but goes right to the heart of both the Old and New Testaments. Jesus reveals it to us in Mark 12 as we go in depth into loving God.

During the course of a heated debate between Jesus and the religious leaders, something happens that is like an oasis in the midst of the desert. A scribe approaches the group as the Sadducees are trying to trip Jesus up with some theological argument coming out of their misinterpretation of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:29-31

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Christmas Eve Series

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Dec 22, 2022

Why do we still need Christmas? It’s a story that’s 2000 years old. Most of us know the plot line and the main characters. There’s no surprise ending this year!

Christmas Eve 2022 Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Why ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 9:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Resolve Conflict

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Aug 26, 2002

We all live with the consequences of conflict – the hurt and pain. Jesus gives us some real advice on how to properly deal with sin and conflict – and has some surprises about a very well known section of Scripture.

How much time do we spend in conflict? It started back with Cain & Abel. You remember the story – the two first brothers argued because God favored Abel’s sacrifice more than Cain’s. You know how the story ends – with the first murder – and it seems, brothers (and even brothers and sisters) have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Our Redempton...no Afterthought With God

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Feb 6, 2003

Man’s sin and it dreadful consequence did not catch God by surprise. When God created Adam, He knew that Adam would sin and that to redeem mankind would necessitate the death of His own dear Son.

OUR REDEMPTION…NO AFTERTHOUGHT WITH GOD "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

"I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

when I imagine the story of Mary, and how weeping Mary turned into surprised Mary turned into responsive Mary, I see the power, the potential, the possibilities that come from lives that are lived in relationship with the living Lord Jesus.

“I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” – Series: Seeing Jesus Apr 15, 2007 John 20:11-18 Intro: Christ is Risen! It is true, it is gloriously true – Christ is Risen! So, now what? The greatest story, our most important story, has just last week reached its climax. Our Lord, crucified, but then ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Plays No Favorites Series

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 8, 2007

What do you know about prejudice? Have you ever experienced it? What was that like? Have you ever been guilty of it? Be careful how you answer – you might be surprised at the truth.

One of the things that I so enjoy about the study of God’s Word is how it is knitted together so finely that there is nothing that doesn’t fit, nothing that is out of place. Our story today demonstrates this quite well indeed. Preparing for our time together today, I ran into a problem that occurs ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Don't We Grow

Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Jul 21, 2007

We’re not surprised when we grow physically; we expect it. If, by chance, growth doesn’t occur, we immediately know something is wrong and attempt to uncover the problem. The same is true spiritually

WHY WE DON’T GROW Judges 17:13-15 Statistics show the average productivity of a Christian’s spiritual life is less than three years. Tonight I want to bring encouragement to those who are sidetracked and to strengthen those who are on the right track. Billy Sunday used to say, “If we Christians ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Entitlement Mentality Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 19, 2009

Humans by nature feel a sense of entitlement, that by our very existence we are owed something - and that includes by God. Romans 9 is controversial in that it totally blows the entitlement mentality out of the water, but also surprising when we learn of

The word “entitlement” has become a part of the public discourse in America these days. Some people suggest that the United States is becoming a society of entitlement, where everything we need or want is owed to us. When we don’t get what we want we feel we have been treated unfairly. It’s a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Grace Of Living Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 16, 2004

Have you ever wondered whether tithing was in the New Testament? You might be surprised at the answer. Find out the 11 qualities of true giving to God as we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

For more Bible Studies visit: www.LivingWatersWeb.com The Grace of Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 Pastor Tom Fuller One of the advantages of going through the Word verse by verse is that the Bible itself sets the topic for the day. I don’t hunt through the Word looking for something to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Shrine Of Flesh

Contributed by Daniel Olukoya on Nov 24, 2011

The most difficult thing in life is for one to know oneself. It is true that the easiest person to deceive is oneself. And the worst fraud is to deceive oneself. But it is surprising to know that many people actively deceive themselves. Some know within t

A shrine is not a strange thing to an average person living in Africa because in many of the communities, there are shrines where people worship every time. God is in the business of disqualifying men and women when they do not meet His standard. This is because everyone has this personal shrine ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Nevertheless Of His Coming Back Series

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Mar 8, 2016

This is the fifth sermon in a series about Jesus being The Great Nevertheless. He keeps wonderfully surprising us. Using the Lord’s "nevertheless" statement in the KJV we get a delightful glimpse of our awesome Savior.

Introduction • Have you ever been in a courtroom? Certainly we all have through the aide of TV – Perry Mason, Judge Judy, and Court TV. • Many of us have actually served on a jury. If you have, did you take your work serious? • Anybody enjoy jury duty? Was it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:57-66

Denomination: Baptist

The Nevertheless Of His Knowing Series

Contributed by Steve Wilson on Mar 8, 2016

This is the sixth sermon in a series about Jesus being The Great Nevertheless. He keeps wonderfully surprising us. Using the Lord’s "nevertheless" statement in the KJV we get a delightful glimpse of our awesome Savior.

Introduction • Illus. – A Navy cruiser was trying to secure to buoys near her flagship in a congested harbor. The admiral watched the cruiser make a good approach and signaled “GOOD”. Then things went wrong. The cruiser missed the buoys and got more and more tangled up. The ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

God’s High View Of Submission Series

Contributed by David Mcclain on Jul 22, 2018

The marriage covenant is to be a permanent bond that is created by God Himself. Jesus responds to the disciple’s surprise at His stringent view of divorce by stating that only those willing to abandon everything for the sake of kingdom can accept it.

OPENING SENTENCE: Many of you may not know the name Tim Keller but he is well known as a very successful pastor who built the largest church In New York City, an area considered very difficult to reach, and he did it without gimmicks or watering down the gospel. INTRODUCTION: To honor his ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 5:18-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Thing Worth Wanting - Psalm 25 Pt.2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 17, 2025

When life falls apart, David doesn't ask for relief from his trouble—he asks for God's love. Discover the surprising strength that comes from wanting nothing but God.

Of David. To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; 2 in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3 No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse. 4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach ...read more

Go Thy Way-The Parable Of The Workers In The Vineyard Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Feb 21, 2020

Jesus gave this parable to His disciples after the rich young ruler had come running to Jesus but had walked away. Look for the "go thy way" in the text--it may surprise you!

Introduction: Just after the rich young ruler came running to Jesus, and walked away, Jesus gave this parable about workers in a vineyard. This was one of the last parables Jesus ever told. The immediate context stems from the disciples’ reaction to what Jesus said to the rich young ruler. Peter, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist