Sermons on Surprising:

A Wee Little Man Meets A Great Big God Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Mar 18, 2018

Zacchaeus was rich, greedy, corrupt…and short. And he knew something was missing from his life. What happened when Jesus passed by surprised him and deeply disturbed the great throng of people following Jesus to Jerusalem.

A Wee Little Man Meets a Great Big God Easter Series: On the Way to the Cross, #2 Chuck Sligh March 18, 2018 NOTE: A PowerPoint presentation is available for this sermon by request at chucksligh@hotmail.com. This is a shorter adaptation of a sermon from an Easter series by Brian Bill found on ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Managing Money God's Way: Sharing Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 24, 2022

Money plays a big role in our lives, so it shouldn't surprise us that the Bible has a lot to say about it. In this sermon, we discover that sharing our money should be purposeful, pleasant, and productive.

Managing Money God’s Way: Sharing Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 10/9/16 Most of us have probably heard the saying, “Money talks.” Someone once said, “If money talks, all it ever says to me is good-bye!” I heard a story recently though about some talking money. A well-worn ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-10, Luke 16:11, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:26, Proverbs 11:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian Church

Preparing For The Future Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 23, 2023

In Mark 13, Jesus prepared His disciples for two future events: the destruction of Jerusalem and His second coming. The first event would come with warnings, but the second will be a surprise. Readiness and alertness and trust in the Lord were necessary for both.

Introduction A. One day there was an airplane that was having engine trouble, so the pilot instructed the cabin crew to have the passengers take their seats and get prepared for an emergency landing. 1. A few minutes later, the pilot asked the flight attendants if everyone was buckled in and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-37

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Fire! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jul 30, 2011

WHEN the fire comes, don’t let it burn you; instead, let it refine you. How? Don’t be surprised or ashamed by the fire. Instead, be glad in the fire, glory in the fire, and give yourself to God in the fire.

A man went to see his doctor in a state of high anxiety. “Doctor,” he said, “you have to help me. I'm dying. Everywhere I touch it hurts. I touch my head and it hurts. I touch my leg and it hurts. I touch my stomach and it hurts. I touch my chest and it hurts. You have to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To The Praise Of His Glory

Contributed by Clay Gentry on Sep 10, 2013

Why did God send Jesus to save us? It might surprise most Christians to learn it wasn't so we could go to heaven? So what was it? In this lesson we will explore why God saved us.

There is no doubt about, our God is a great God. Need proof of that? Let’s take a quick look through Ephesians 1-3 and learn how He has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing” through Jesus Christ (1:3): - God has blessed us by adopting us as His children (1:5, 2:19) - God has ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:5-6, Ephesians 1:11-12, Ephesians 1:13-14

Denomination: *other

Working With The Lord's Help Series

Contributed by Jason Smith on Sep 15, 2013

It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react with anger, ridicule, and rejection. Nehemiah gives us a great example of how we need to respond when the enemies of God oppose His work.

In this lesson, I would like to look at the leadership of Nehemiah through the hardship and opposition that the people went through. They had opposition from outside and discouragement from inside, yet they got the job done. It should never surprise us when we do the Lord's work and people react ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

At The End Of The Day

Contributed by Rev. Robert Walsh on May 20, 2017

When all the dust settles, the final result just may just surprise us. Don't be taken aback if the final outcome is different than what you suspect. God is forever in control and He will reign forever and ever.

We’ll be beginning our message Scripture right at the beginning of Genesis, Chapter 3 (pg. 4 of Pew Bible) in a few moments so if you’ll turn there, we start with a word of prayer. Throughout our daily speech and even through the common talk of the sidewalks of this great country we call America, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

The Last War: Armageddon And The Middle East Crisis Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Jul 1, 2016

Armageddon: How, who, when and where, you will be surprised to see how different it is, and remember, after this (after Armageddon) came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done! Rev 16:16-17.

Rev 16: 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. 17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. Imagine this: Iran explodes several missiles ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessings Of Solid, Godly Character Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 2, 2020

In a world emphasizing freedom and personal choice, it should not surprise us that character has taken a back seat. But for God’s people, things are different. Character matters. Today we are going to see three blessings of solid, godly character.

The Blessings of Solid, Godly Character (Proverbs 28:1-5) 1. Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A pair of animal control officers in New Jersey came to the rescue of a deer spotted with a plastic pumpkin stuck over its head. Montclair Township Animal Control said two officers responded after multiple calls came in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 28:1-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

True Greatness

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Sep 16, 2021

Who are the true greats? You may be surprised! You may know some of them personally. Let’s learn the basic ingredient of true greatness. Let’s look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:30-37.

Prelude Who are the true greats? You may be surprised! You may know some of them personally. Purpose: Let’s learn the basic ingredient of true greatness. Plan: Let’s look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:30-37. Jesus Mark 9:30-31 “Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Restoration Of Israel – Jeremiah – Part 10 – Chapter 33:15 – The Incredible Names For Jerusalem In The Bible Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 7, 2025

The message this time is more a study, not a delivered message. It is a bit technical but most interesting. Do you know how many biblical names for Jerusalem there are? This might surprise you. Enjoy what God thinks of His Holy City!

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL – JEREMIAH – PART 10 – Chapter 33:15 – THE INCREDIBLE NAMES FOR JERUSALEM IN THE BIBLE After the lovely study of The Branch in scripture we continue with our consideration of the passages in Jeremiah relating to the future restoration of redeemed Israel that begins ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:16, Genesis 14:18, Genesis 22:2, 2 Samuel 6:12, Matthew 5:35, Isaiah 48:2, Isaiah 52:1, Matthew 4:5, Psalm 46:4, Psalm 48:1, Psalm 48:8, Isaiah 1:26, Zechariah 8:3, Isaiah 60:14, Lamentations 2:15, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 3:17, Ezekiel 48:35, Isaiah 29:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Surprising Comfort Of God’s Constant Gaze What God Knows About You That You Don’t - Ps.139 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 25, 2025

God not only knows everything about you, but he is always paying attention to you and cares about even the smallest details of your life. This message will help you appreciate and enjoy five different benefits that come from God’s attentiveness to you.

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. Psalm 139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-4

The Prayer Of Sorrow Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 5, 2006

Why would Jesus pray to have the "cup" taken away, if He knew that wasn’t going to happen? Was His prayer simply an excercise in futility, or was there something more to it? I learned some surprising truths as I prepared this sermon.

OPEN: A minister noticed a young boy kneeling off to the side of the room after youth group and praying very fervently. As the preacher came within earshot of the boy, he was surprised to hear the boy saying: "Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo." After the boy finished his praying the preacher approached him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Ultimate Daylight Savings Program

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 14, 2004

God created time, and will someday end it, and in heaven time will be no more. In the meanwhile, we shouldn’t be surprised at the fact that God can stop time if He so desires. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Ultimate Daylight Savings Plan Joshua 10:8-14 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/DaylightSavings.html God created time, and will someday end it, and in heaven time will be no more. In the meanwhile, we shouldn’t be surprised at the fact that God can stop time if He so desires. Sometimes I wish ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:1-25, Joshua 10:1-14

Denomination: Baptist