In Sermons: showing 61-75 of 219

Today Is The Day Of Salvation (Ash Wednesday) Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 15, 2010

Ash Wednesday sermon about reconciliation.

Now Is the Day of Salvation! 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Introduction The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard once sought to describe the incarnation of God in Christ. He used this simple illustrative story: A certain king was very rich. His power was known throughout the world. But he was most ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Greatness Of God

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 5, 2010

We all stand rightly "struck with astonishment" at the greatness of God!

The Greatness of God! Luke 9:28-43a Introduction Are you extremely proud of your lifetime accomplishments? I have known the lure of pride in the accomplishments of my life; perhaps you have as well. It was on November 21 of 1877 that Thomas Edison announced to the world that he had invented the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-43

Denomination: Christian Church

The Rest Of Your Life

Contributed by Chris Surber on Feb 4, 2010

We have been called into the same transformational life of the first disciples.

The Rest of Your Life! Luke 5:1-11 Introduction Two Texans were trying to impress each other with the size of their ranches. One asked the other, “What’s the name of your ranch?” He replied, “The Rocking R, ABC, Flying W Circle C, Bar U, Staple Four, Box D, Rolling M, Rainbow’s End, Silver Spur ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Looking Back, Gazing Forward

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 27, 2010

A sermon for the annual meeting for casting vision in the life of the local church. Principals could be well adapted to another church.

“Looking Back, Gazing Forward,” Genesis 9:8-17 Introduction One of the very special memories I have from my first trip to the Holy Land last year was that of swimming in the Dead Sea. It is a real adventure. First you head to pit which is filled with sticky and smelly mud. Against ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17

Denomination: Christian Church

At War With Injsutice

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 19, 2010

Faith is for today; we are called to reflect the war with injustice which Jesus waged and wages.

At War With Injustice, Luke 4:14-21 Introduction The story is told of the famed evangelist and preacher, John Wesley, who, one winter day, met a poor girl in one of the schools under his care. She seemed almost frozen. He asked her if she had no clothing but the thin garments she was wearing. She ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Christian Church

A Private Miracle

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 12, 2010

Just as Jesus performed the "private" miracle at the wedding feast at Cana, His grace is available for our personal, private, miracles.

A Private Miracle, John 2:1-11 Introduction William Jennings Bryan wrote this about miracles: “Some skeptics say, ‘Oh, the miracles. I can’t accept miracles.’ One may drop a brown seed in the black soil and up comes a green shoot. You let it grow and by and by you pull up ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

The Sacred Essence

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 6, 2010

Jesus is the divine Son of God; the Logos; the sacred revealed!

The Sacred Essence, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Introduction G. Campbell Morgan, the well known pastor of the last century of Westminster Chapel, near Buckingham Palace, was once approached by a soldier who said he would give anything to believe that God would forgive sins, “but I cannot believe He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-22

Denomination: Christian Church

A New Covenant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 31, 2009

In Christ, the promise of God to Abraham has been fulfilled.

A New Covenant, Jeremiah 31:7-14, 31 Introduction It is a rather interesting thing to study the religious context into which Jesus descended. Indeed, apart from at least a cursory knowledge of the strict legalism into which Jesus was born, the full measure of the freedom and grace which is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-34

Denomination: Christian Church

The Sacred Encounter

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 23, 2009

In Christ the sacred has taken flesh and broken into the dark reality of this life. The sacred has encountered us.

“The Sacred Encounter” John 1:1-18 Introduction Ever since returning from a recent pilgrimage to Jerusalem I have been keenly interested in the Crusades. That is, the 500 year period during the middle ages when European Christians took it upon themselves to liberate the Holy Land from Arab ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

Denomination: Christian Church

The Right Side Of Heaven

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 22, 2009

The beauty of Heaven has descended in Christ!

The Right Side of Heaven, II Timothy 1:6-10 Introduction It was Christmas Eve. Six-year-old Mary Lou was walking down a dark city street with her father on their way to the children’s service. Her active little mind was filled with the wonders of the event she and her classmates were about to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-10

Denomination: Christian Church

The Song Of Mary - Magnificat Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 17, 2009

Mary’s soul magnified the Lord at the sign of His coming to institute a revolution of love!

“Mary’s Song” Luke 1:46-55 Introduction “A Call to Revolution: Mary’s hymn of response to the angel is the famous Magnificat, so named by the Roman church for the key word in the Latin translation of the first line of this prayer of praise offered by Mary. Mary, in her naturalness, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Christian Church

Fruit Worthy Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 9, 2009

Bear fruit worthy of the gift of grace in repentance.

Fruit Worthy of Repentance, Luke 3:7-18 Introduction In his book Living Faith Jimmy Carter writes: A group of Christian laymen involved in missionary work approached a small village near an Amish settlement. Seeking a possible convert, they confronted an Amish farmer and asked him, “Brother, are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Christian Church

Prepare The Way Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Dec 3, 2009

The church is to be on the offensive in preparing the way of the Lord in the lives of people!

Prepare The Way, Luke 3:1-6 Introduction There is a story of an Atlantic passenger lying in his bunk in a storm, deathly sick—seasick. A cry of “Man overboard!” was heard. The passenger thought, “God help the poor fellow. There is nothing I can do.” Then he thought at least he could put his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

Knowing The Season

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 24, 2009

As we look forward to Christmas, let us consider the seasons and the signs of His return!

Knowing the Season, Luke 21:25-36 Introduction Christina and I spent a season of ministry in Cheboygan Michigan. Prior to coming here to First Congregational Church of Peru, Illinois, I was Pastor of First Congregational Church of Cheboygan, Michigan. Congregational Christians of that era were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-38

Denomination: Christian Church

Thirsting With Cup Full Thanksgiving

Contributed by Chris Surber on Nov 24, 2009

Thanksgiving to God flows from a thirst for His presence!

Thirsting With Cup Full, Psalms 42:1-11 Introduction The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church