Sermons on surfacing:

"Mary's Christmas"

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 29, 2014

When we look back at the life of Mary I see 2 extreme points of view that have surfaced. 1. Many believers have chosen to worship Mary. 2. Others have chosen to completely ignore Mary. The scripture does not support either approach.

Mary’s Christmas Luke 1:26-38 Most of us recognize that Christmas can actually be one of the most stressful times of the year. For pastors and their families things do not usually slow down—instead things just get busier. For many in the church and community there are those feeling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Step Six - Separating The Men From The Boys Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 8, 2020

The fifth step is a building block to the sixth step. It is not a separate event. The fifth step focuses on cleaning house but it is also about bringing our character defects to the surface so we can see the thousands of ways we have attempted to manipulate the world around us.

The fifth step is a building block to the sixth step. It is not a separate event. The fifth step focuses on cleaning house but it is also about bringing our character defects – selfishness, self centeredness, low self esteem and big egos – to the surface so we can see the thousands of ways we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Consider The Heavens

Contributed by Randy Marshall on Jul 20, 2019

Recently, the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 and the words heard from the surface of the moon, "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." On the journey, there were also two significant spiritual events.

On July 23rd as the three astronauts hurled back toward earth. On the last night before their splashdown, they participated in a televised broadcast. The second man to step on the moon, Buzz Aldrin commented: “This has been far more than three men on a mission to the Moon; more, still, than the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4

The Final Hours Of The Lord Jesus -From Golgotha To The Grave (For Now) Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 19, 2021

The Lord Jesus is in His last moments of agony and pain, both physically and spiritually as He completes His mission of redemption for fallen humanity. It looked on the surface, however, like a victory for his enemies and the devil as He died and was placed in a borrowed tomb, or so it would seem.

(Adapted from an outline by Mark A. Copeland) Following a night and morning of torture, ridicule, and mockery, Jesus was taken away to be crucified (Mark 14:53-15:25). For six long, horrendous, cruel hours He hung on the cross, and to add insult to injury, He heard the continuing mockery ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-47, Luke 23:46, Matthew 27:50, Hebrews 10:19-20, 1 Peter 2:21-25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

8 Highly Practical Prayers To Pray Over Your Leader Series

Contributed by Earma Brown on May 8, 2006

It’s hard to imagine the darkness that won’t be held back if we don’t pray or the good that will not come because we haven’t prayed. The list below is not a comprehensive list of prayers. We have only scratched the surface with what can and should be pray

Our pastors and leaders are gifts to the body of Christ and as a result serve on the frontlines of the battle of faith. Saturday night can be one of the toughest times on the frontlines for a pastor. Any night before he feeds the sheep can be stressful. Why? Because the pastor’s number one enemy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

These Are The Days Of Elijah – "Days Like These Require A Sustained Effort”

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 22, 2021

During Elisha’s ministry, the Jordan River parted instantly, poisoned waters were healed, the borrowed iron ax head flowed to the surface, dead children had been raised to life, but the miracle Israel needed now would be difficult. This miracle will require a sustained effort.

What a great blessing Elisha had been to the nation of Israel. He faithfully used his God given double portion for the benefit of others. Israel was facing another persistent enemy, the Syrians. Prophet Elisha is on his death bed, over 80 years old in a weakened condition, yet God’s people are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-19, Psalm 119:89-91, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Galatians 6:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Blame Me! Series

Contributed by West Garner on Aug 31, 2007

There are signs written not on metal or plastic but on the very surface of our culture. If we observe them we can learn a great deal about the age in which we live. The third sign in our series says, Don’t Blame Me! Our culture is obessed by placing bla

INTRODUCTION Welcome to Memorial!!! I have with me today a pointer. I am going to use it today because I have always thought it was cool when the teacher would point to things on the board. You know a pointer is interesting because when the teacher wants you to look at something she directs your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 5:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

When You've Lost Your Cutting Edge

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on May 4, 2007

We are quick to ‘fly off the handle’. But God has a way of sharpening dull Christians…and good things ‘surface’ when we return to where we lost our cutting edge and reclaim it! Link included to formatted text, audio & video, & PowerPoint Presentation.

When You’ve Lost Your Cutting Edge II Kings 6:1-7 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/CuttingEdge.html We are so quick to ‘fly off the handle’ these days. But God has a way of sharpening dull Christians…and good things will ‘surface’ if we will return to where we lost our cutting edge and reach out ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Help Me Overcome My Unbelief (Imperfect Faith)

Contributed by Maria Saunders on Sep 4, 2015

As humans it's natural to with struggle, doubt, question, wonder about God’s presence & promises at various times. It's difficult to maintain faith in a Perfect God when warfare surfaces. Yet, we must have faith in God when imperfection is all around us.

“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.’” Mark 9:24 NIV “No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, ‘Then I believe. Help me with my doubts.’” Mark 9:24 MSG The theme of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

"it's Not Fair!" (Part Four)

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jun 10, 2019

The scenarios we've been looking at over the past few weeks seem unfair on the surface but when we examined them we realized that God was not being unfair. As we close out the series, we'll look at Jesus' parable of the workers in the vineyard.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" (part four) We looked at Adam and Eve getting kicked out of the garden for one act of disobedience. We looked at the story of Job losing everything despite being upright and blameless. We saw how the prophet suffered death even though he was tricked by a lying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Jonah 4:1-4, Luke 17:7-10, Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Five Sticky Fingers

Contributed by Scott Ridout on Oct 21, 2009

Where did that come from? That horrible, sinking feeling you have when something comes out of your mouth that you didn’t expect - that thing is just so “unlike” you. Did you know those words are just a reflection of what lurks beneath the surface? The sca

Everything we think, say and do flows out of our hearts. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 The second big monster is GREED. Greed says, “I owe me”. Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Hidden Chamber Series

Contributed by Chad Moore on Oct 21, 2009

Where did that come from? That horrible, sinking feeling you have when something comes out of your mouth that you didn’t expect - that thing is just so “unlike” you. Did you know those words are just a reflection of what lurks beneath the surface? The sca

What Lies Beneath The Hidden Chamber Matthew 15:16-20; Proverbs 4:23 What is the difference between a moralist and a Christian? A moralist follows rules. A Christian follows Jesus. 16"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them. 17"Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shadows Series

Contributed by Chad Moore on Oct 21, 2009

Where did that come from? That horrible, sinking feeling you have when something comes out of your mouth that you didn’t expect - that thing is just so “unlike” you. Did you know those words are just a reflection of what lurks beneath the surface? The sca

What Lies Beneath The Shadows 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:16 Everything we think, say and do flows out of our hearts. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 The first big monster is GUILT. Guilt says, “I owe you”. 5This is the message we have heard from ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Challenge Course

Contributed by Bret Bone on Nov 6, 2012

I wonder how each of us would score if there were a test available that could reveal … how devoted we were as a Christian… You see, on the surface most of the time it appears that things are going well & display that we’re doing a pretty good job of b

I wonder how each of us would score if there were a test available that could reveal … how devoted we were as a Christian… You see, on the surface most of the time it appears that things are going well & display that we’re doing a pretty good job of being a Christian. In ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5

Do You See? Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Jul 29, 2009

When we look through the eyes of God at the people around us, we don’t see the surface. We don’t see the socially acceptable or expected. We don’t see just the past and the mistakes. We see a lost child of God, and we see an opportunity to share a stor

Do You See? Breaking Boundaries 4 Feb 8, 2009 Luke 7:36-50 Intro: Charlie chaplin face illusion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_vtZXELRK8&eurl=http://www.moillusions.com/2006/06/charlie-chaplin-hollow-face-illusion.html&feature=player_embedded The British guy narrating the clip makes a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist