Sermons on Surprise Ending:

The Encouragement Among Believers Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Oct 22, 2020

Life is full of surprises. Life is full of stresses and burdens. When we chose to follow God's will, the stresses and burdens of life can pull against His perfect will. That's why believers need each other and need to encourage one another.

Grace Community Church Winchester, VA Rev. Bradford Reaves, Sr. Pastor www.GraceCommunity.com Watch this message https://youtu.be/dmWN4pn5UVY Introduction Have you ever had a situation, where you did the right thing, but the people around you were actually disappointed or angry with you? Over ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:38-56, Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:31, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Mark 10:27, Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, Ephesians 6:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

Spirit And Trinity Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 15, 2003

First in a series on the Holy Spirit it, looking at the Spirit’s place in the Trinity. God invites us through the Spirit to participate in the intimacy of the trinity. Join the dance! Ends with a parable I wrote.

The Holy Who? Spirit and Trinity May 3/4, 2003 Intro: Being a Christian is about knowing God. It is about being in relationship with God. Faith is not mentally agreeing with a prescribed set of abstract principles, faith is about living in obedience to a God you know and love and worship and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:16-26

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Values Our Humanity; "I Thirst” Series

Contributed by Kenneth Squires on Jun 6, 2003

Jesus started his earthly ministry hungry and ended his earthly ministry thirsty. As we return to Jesus on the cross we come to what may be the easiest of the seven words to understand. Or is it?

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (John 19:28-29) Let me open today’s message by asking you a ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

How The Faithful Overcome Challenges

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Mar 5, 2019

Whether or not we overcome challenges placed before us ends up proving not just to God but ourselves that we can actually accomplish the great things God has planned for us in our lives.

For more information and other teachings, podcasts, videos, books and study guides visit https://conwaychristianresources.com As we’ve seen over the past few weeks the life of David so far has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. From his anointing by Samuel, to defeating Goliath all the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Foursquare

Is Jesus Coming Back Soon?

Contributed by William Mouser on Nov 28, 2005

From the text of the Olivet Discourse in Mark 13, this sermon explains that while we cannot know the precise day and hour of Jesus’ return, it is possible to see the end of the age approaching.

Is Jesus Coming Back Soon? Mark 13:24-37 Mark Chapter 13, along with Matthew Chapter 24, record Christ’s teaching in what is known as the Olivet Discourse. It gets that name because Jesus was at the Mount of Olives, preparing his disciples for his impending passion, and Peter, James, John, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Who Was Afraid Of Jesus? Series

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Feb 9, 2021

Jesus Christ has all authority over both the natural and supernatural world. He brought freedom to a tortured soul, stirred a local crowd into anger, and calmed a raging sea. His ministry brought grace, mercy, love, hope, and for some, fear. Why would anyone fear Him? You would be surprised.

Chapter 4 of Mark's Gospel presented to us the authority that Jesus had over the forces of nature by rebuking a storm on the Sea of Galilee. He and His disciples were in a boat heading to the eastern shore of the Sea when a violent storm erupted, which was a common occurrence according to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30, Mark 5:1-20, 1 Peter 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

Hezekiah: Just A Little More Time Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Sep 12, 2002

#4 in series "Revival in the Land" Here at the end of Hezekiah’s life are several lessons we would do well to learn if we hope to see the Lord move in revival power among us.

Introduction Titanic In 1912 the "unsinkable" Titanic was launched in Liverpool, England. So haughty was the hoopla surrounding the Titanic’s safety and structural integrity that it caused dismay among some of the God fearing public. Such pride it was felt was tempting God to show man his folly. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 20:1-19, 2 Chronicles 32:24-26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Understanding Temptation

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 24, 2012

Temptation can take us by surprise sometimes. We can get discouraged when we find ourselves giving in over and over. We get overwhelmed when it seems like we can't catch a break. What can we do? It's important that we understand what's going on so we can

UNDERSTANDING TEMPTATION James 1:13-18 1) The difference between testing and temptation. • Testing is good; temptation is not (Vs. 17). Every good and perfect gift is from above. Therefore, since God doesn’t tempt anyone temptation is not good. However, it isn’t sin, since Jesus ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Emmaus Experience

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

The disciples’ walk to emmaus begins a developing Experience of Christ - Heart-Breaking at his death but when Jesus joins them it becomes Heart-Searching and ends as Heart-Burning Experience.

I read about a minister who was given the honour of preaching at an important meeting of his denomination. Just before he was to start his sermon he was seen to be looking anxiously around the congregation. The chairman whispered to him, "What’s the problem? Is there someone here who’s heard the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Pleasure Of Progress Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

Every Christian is to be pressing on to gain that more in Christ that can never be exhausted. Progress is to be a permanent part of the Christian life. There is no level where we have arrived at the end of our potential.

Spain once controlled both sides of the Mediterranean Sea at the Straits Of Gibraltar. On her coins were stamped the two Pillars Of Hercules. They represented the two great rocks, and the words NE PLUS ULTRA=no more beyond. As far as they were concerned, Spain was the end of the world. Paul ...read more

You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jun 22, 2023

A four part series on Jonah. A good reminder that you can run… but you can’t hide from God! Teaching sheet at the end of the text. Updated September, 2025

“You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide” Jonah 1:1-16 Pastor John Bright Jonah 1 “1 Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-16, Psalm 32:3-4, Romans 8:12-16, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Psalm 118:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Where Do The Wars Come From? Series

Contributed by Daniel Colvin on Feb 20, 2004

Who or what is your battle and look closely inside yourself do the wars and little battles start with you? And can the battle end with you?

Where do the wars come from? James 4:1-5 Introduction In an old monastery near Bebenhausen, Germany, you may see two pairs of deer horns interlocked. They were found in that position many years ago. The deer had been fighting; their horns got jammed together and could not be separated. (James 4:1) ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Back To The Future - An Easter Message

Contributed by Christopher Hill on Apr 2, 2004

When we look back to the resurrection of Christ we are free to live life in a radical new way - life doesn’t end at the grave.

In the trilogy of Back to the Future movies, Michael J Fox takes a wild adventure into the past through the use of a souped up Delorean that is turned into a time machine. In the first adventure, he travels back to the year of his parents’ high school prom. He realizes that making any changes in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Anticipate Jesus

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Jul 18, 2006

Taking Paul’s lead to change our focus from this world to the reward at the end of the race. How much would you need to change if ....

I was raised in a small town in southern Ohio. I remember the lazy days of summer when the air-raid sirens went off once per week and we would all look up to see if we could see enemy planes, or when all the boys would gather on the school playground to play baseball like the big kids did. I ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: *other

What Hapens After I Die

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Mar 25, 2005

Christians are assured that physical death is not the end of life. Christians have the promise of always being in God’s presence and experiencing God’s love.

THE SEVEN SERVICE JULY 7, 2002 I Corinthians 15:12-26 “What Happens After I Die?” INTRODUCTION The drama that we just save pointed out a central truth of humankind. We all fear death. Ernst Becker, in his award winning book, Denial of Death, concludes that our fear of death is the greatest ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:12-26

Denomination: Lutheran