Sermons on Surface:

Heart Matters Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Sep 7, 2011

What is this purity that we are called to? It goes way beyond the surface all the way to the heart. This purity is essential if we are to see God. What does this purity entail? How can we achieve it / recieve it?

Heart Matters - Matthew 5:8 - August 28, 2011 Series: Kingdom Life – A World Turned Upside Down #6 *** Set up before hand 3 (clear glass) glasses of water. Hide glasses out of sight. 1. Glass and water are both dirty. 2. Glass is clean but water is dirty. 3. Glass and water are both ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: *other

Cross The Jordan Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 21, 2023

This terrible river, lying at the bottom of the most spectacular gash upon the surface of the planet Earth, most of its course lying even below the level of the sea, is an astoundingly appropriate symbol of death. But a faith Step changes everything.

Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan Promise and the Problems: On the shore of Jordan Israelites were lodging for three days as the Lord told them to do (Joshua 1:11). Now, they saw a rushing river, swollen with spring rains lie in front of them. They would have wondered and discussed “How can we ever ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Spirituality Trap

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Feb 24, 2023

We have a tendency to see the shining mountaintop moments or the depths of despair as being the most spiritually significant. But genuine spirituality surfaces - and matures - in the daily decision to forgive, to tell the truth, to resist a temptation or to hold our tongues.

My mom tells me that when we were little she could dress my sister and me up for church in starched white petticoats and send us out to play in the yard until time to leave for church and be absolutely certain that we wouldn’t have a spot on us. We LOVED to dress up. There was no way we were going ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36, Exodus 34:29-35

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Holiness Is A Matter Of The Heart

Contributed by Donnie Martin on Jun 1, 2002

Holiness is more than merely a matter of religious activities. God is not near as concerned with our methods of ministry as He is our motives of ministry. That’s because God is not so concerned with the surface of man as He is with the spirit of man.

Holiness Is A Matter Of The Heart Text: Eph.6: 6; Mark 7: 18-19a Intro: It is absolutely impossible to become a Christian without a change of heart. Everything about trusting Christ as ones Savior affects the heart. If there has been no change of heart, there has been no conversion. Just ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:18-19, Ephesians 6:6

Denomination: Baptist

Dry Land, Seas, And Vegetation. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 17, 2018

The work God did on the third day amounted to dual creation. At first the waters beneath the heavens, those upon the surface of the earth, were gathered together, so that the dry (or solid) ground appeared; and then the earth was made fruitful.

May 10, 2013 Commentary on the Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe PART: I GENERAL HISTORY FROM ADAM TO ABRAHAM—Gen. 1:1-11:9. Topic #A: An Account of Creation. Gen. 1:1-2:7. Lesson I.A.4: Dry Land, Seas, and Vegetation. Gen. 1:9-13. (KJV) 9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 3, 2003

Today, amid all the laughter of entertainment, parties and such we are a joyless society. I like joy; I like the genuine kind that starts deep down within and bubbles up to the surface. It is irrepressible, unstoppable and it is what Jesus died to bring

January 5, 2003 1And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had given to Israel. 2Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women and all who ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

The Cream Rises To The To Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 14, 2008

For most of us, the idea that the Messiah will judge each of us and the idea that God does not change -- and therefore we must adapt to Him and not He to us -- motivates us to surface as His followers. We recognize the wisdom of aligning ourselves to Him

The Cream Rises to the Top (Malachi 3:1-7) 1. Sometimes people say, "It doesn’t matter what we believe, as long as we all believe there is one God?" 2. We were shocked to hear about the polygamous sect in Texas this past week. 3. According to the Associated Press, "Authorities searching the ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus, Lord Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Joel Preston on Mar 22, 2012

In these verses we see more controversy between Jesus & the Pharisees. On the surface, the point of contention was keeping the Sabbath. The Pharisees were going to get very upset about Jesus & His disciples picking grain on the Sabbath, as well as Jesus h

The Gospel of Mark #7 – “Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath” Mark 2:23-3:6 Intro – 1. How many of you prayed this prayer, “Now I lay me down to sleep…?” (Quote) Unfortunately, I also used to pray, “Now I lay me down to rest…” (Quote) 2. ILL ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How To Spot A Fake Faith Series

Contributed by Guy Mcgraw on Apr 2, 2012

Christianity has become a surface religious distraction from the hardships and realities of life and is no longer a relevant belief system connecting us to our Creator and Savior. In the western world the fakes are much more visible than those who stil

I think we may finally be living in a day when the ‘Christianity’ that exists in the cultural marketplace is now more fake than real. What began with liberal departures from the essentials of our faith has now moved to a wide spread illiteracy of the very truths of Christianity. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:5-30

Who Are You Imitating?

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 11, 2020

Here is the deal, don’t just take matters on the superficial surface, judge words, prophecies with scripture. You know why, Isaiah says“ “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” 1 Cor 11:1 ave you heard the idiomatic expression “imitation is a disease”? It is one of the fallacies shovelled down our throat. I am sure you have also heard , “Orunmila” only heaven knows those that will be saved. It is another fallacy. Here ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13, 2 Corinthians 11:23-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Are A Giant-Killer But Don't Know It. Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Sep 5, 2016

When God chooses a man, He will present that man with an opportunity to vindicate his call before men. David is called by God, but that call is private until God brings him to the surface. Goliath becomes that means of public exposure for David.

Series: David - A Man After God¡¦s Own Heart: Part 5: You Are A Giant Killer But Don¡¦t Know It (1&2) 1 Samuel 17: 1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. 2 Saul and the Israelites assembled ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-47

Denomination: Charismatic

A Tale Of Two Offerings

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Sep 12, 2002

Cain’s offering and Abel’s offering look similar on the surface but are distinguished from one another on the basis of the faith in their hearts. The great question this story asks is where our offerings fall, closer to Cain’s or closer to Abel’s?

Pentecost 17 A Genesis 4:1-16 A Tale of Two Offerings 09/15/02 The powerful, faith assuring epistle of Romans which we have been reading this past summer and from which our epistle is taken today, draws near to its close with the following words of chapter 15. “everything that is written in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

Choices?

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 6, 2012

Most of the time what seems a good choice in the sight of the world is not necessarily the right and good choice in the sight of God. Things might seem very good on the surface but for the end result and eternity sake they just don’t level up. And what is

Opening illustration: The teenager expressed the view of many. Speaking of the wild parties he attended, the 16-year-old declared, “Without these parties, my life wouldn’t have any purpose.” Attitudes like this result from a string of bad choices that multiply until life loses its meaning. Examples ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 13:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Sides Of Faith

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 26, 2017

“Two Sides of Faith.” One side of faith looks very inactive on the surface. It is David waiting for the signal from God. The other side is obviously active. As soon as the light turns green, it moves and it moves boldly. Sermon explores these two aspects

2 Sam. 5:22-25 5.17.15 In our text this morning, David has become king over all twelve tribes of Israel. He has conquered Jerusalem and made it his new capital, and He had dealt a defeat to the Philistines at Rephaim. But now they have rallied their troops and come against him again. Follow with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 5:22-25, 1 Samuel 30:8, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Luke 24:49, 2 Peter 3:9, Exodus 33:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

"Do You Wanna Get Well?

Contributed by David Henderson on Aug 28, 2018

In this message we look at a question that on the surface is quite odd. I mean if you had been lame for 38 years and someone asked you if you wanted to be well, would that be a difficult question? Perhaps it is harder than we first realize.

“Do you want to be well? John 5:1-17 In our recent study in Nehemiah I showed you this picture of what the wall looked like that Nehemiah and the builders constructed around Jerusalem. This picture shows 10 gates that were used to gain entrance to the city. Each gate had a specific ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist