Sermons on Gods Surprises:

God's Purpose In Deliverance

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Oct 4, 2005

We usually want deliverance, but God has an additional purpose beyond just rescuing us. In this famous battle passage, the purpose of God is clear.

Passage: Judges 7:1-22 Intro: As we have followed the faith adventure of Gideon, we have seen something. 2. God’s purpose was much more than the deliverance of Israel from the Midianites who visited annually like unwelcome in-laws 3. it was to deliver them with the goal of teaching a positive ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

1. It's A Battle Out There! Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 1, 2019

Don't be surprised if life feels like a battle some days, or even a lot of days. We have a powerful enemy in the devil and his tricks can be dangerous.

This morning we begin a new part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. You could call it the grand climax. I love Ephesians because of the picture that it gives of the church. The church, blessed by God, united, holy, and now, finally, in Ephesians 6:10-17, the church militant. Please stand for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-17

Walk Worthily Of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1-6) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 29, 2022

The surprising thing about this, is how Paul unpacks "worthily." It's more about living in peace, unity, and love, than anything else.

Let's start today, by simply reading our passage. Ephesians 4:1-6: Therefore , I exhort you, I, the prisoner of the Lord, worthily to walk of the calling with which you were called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, hurrying to keep the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Seeing Jesus Face To Face Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Dec 4, 2005

What would it be like to see the risen Lord? John did - but it was in a lonely and desolate place. Are you in such a place? You might be surprised at what the Lord can show you there.

The first chapter of Revelation holds the key to the entire book. We find that key in verse 19 - and we’ll get there shortly - it is an outline that is crucial in revealing God’s plan for us and for planet earth. But in order to understand the book we also need to understand its author. John was ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Spotting Bad Leaders - Growing Good Ones Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on May 20, 2005

What makes good leadership material? It might surprise you that it’s not the strong, dictatorial man-in-charge, but is someone who models the gentle and giving spirit of Jesus.

Timothy found himself in a pickle. False teachers had come in and were fomenting dissent among the men and using freedoms in Christ to pull women off into their deception and rebellion. Some of these men were leaders in the church. He needed a strong hand to put this troubled church back on track ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Cloud

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Nov 7, 2020

Surprising things we can learn about the cloud mentioned in the Bible. instead of the text being more about the return of Christ, It is Hope in the text may hold more weight.

The Cloud 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 1. This text many believe is a story of how the return of Christ will transpire • After Jesus’ ascension, angels had told those who witnessed the event that he would return (Acts 1:11), and most of his then disciples assumed that meant Jesus was coming back ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Methodist

Jesus' Heads-Up: The World Will Hate You (John 16:1-33) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 29, 2022

So don't be surprised, or discouraged. Prepare yourselves, testify anyway, and don't fall away. Also, how the Spirit partners with you, in testifying to the world.

Let's start this morning by rereading John 15:18-16:4. In these verses, Jesus describes our relationship to the world: (18) If the world, you, it hates, know that me, before you, it has hated. (19) If of/from the world, you were, the world would love its own. Now, because of/from the world ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

How To Love God Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jun 24, 2014

God has moved mightily in our lives. God invites us to respond by placing God first in our lives and loving him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. (The first tablet of the Ten Commandments).

Exodus 20:1-11 “How to Love God” INTRODUCTION Jesus spoke to a group of Jewish converts. His conversation is recorded in the eighth chapter of John’s gospel. In verse thirty-two Jesus says, “The truth will set you free.” Jesus follows this statement up in verse ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God Is Slow To Anger Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Apr 28, 2023

In 2 Peter 3:1-13, we learn that though God is slow to anger, a day of judgment is coming.

Introduction I am currently preaching a series of sermons that I am calling, “Glory: The Character of God.” In this five-week-long series, I am exploring God’s self-revelation of himself to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7. God revealed several of his attributes to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7, which reads as ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:6-7, 2 Peter 3:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When God Intervenes

Contributed by Jofrey Bustamante on Dec 7, 2009

When God intervenes, watch and see!

Sometime in the last decade of twentieth century, a young pastor who was a fresh graduate from a renowned seminary was assigned to shepherd an old church in a remote village. The church was founded and built sometime in the late nineteenth century, and that makes the church about a century ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship On God's Terms Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 2, 2010

Cult is part of culture, even materialistic culture; our cult must be conducted as God wishes.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi October 4, 2010 Spirit of the Liturgy Series By all testimony, including his own, Francis was a self-willed man. Even when he heard God’s call, we see over and over again his early actions as those of someone who is making his own way. The Francis of the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14-18

Denomination: Catholic

Behold Your God – The Unchanging God Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 29, 2010

Behold Your God – The Unchanging God (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

Readings: Hebrews chapter 6 verses 13-20 Most people don’t like change in their lives; • Ill: One man once observed that the only people who DO like change; • Are "wet babies" … and even they aren’t too excited about it. • But one of the certainties of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:13-20

Denomination: Brethren

God Is Calling Us

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Apr 10, 2002

God calls all of us to salvation, but not all who are called will choose to comply.

GOD IS CALLING US Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10 You have heard of the term, Predestination. When you read the first chapter of Jeremiah, you cannot but help to think about how Jeremiah’s life was predestined or predetermined. Normally, when we think of the term “predestined or predestination” we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Justice And Mercy Of God Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Dec 4, 2017

God's justice is sure. God's mercy is great.

We read last week in 1 Kings 21 of a great injustice and cruelty. • An innocent man Naboth, who owns a vineyard, was framed and murdered. And according to 2 Kings 9:26 all his sons were killed too. • Queen Jezebel wanted to prevent any future claimants for the land. King Ahab coveted his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:17-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living In God's World & God's Way (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Mar 13, 2007

In this message I want to show you what I think God will do with your passion and drive this year, if you use Col. 3:23(or one of your choosing) as a motivational device.

Sermon Series:2007-Releasing Your Drive and Passion for God Today’s Message: Living in God’s World & God’s Way (Part 1) Text: Colossians 3:23 - NIV; NLT; MSG Dr. Ken Squires, Jr. January 07, 2006 Edited by Dale Weaver (23) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Pentecostal