Sermons on Surprise: showing 766-780 of 27,700

Handling Temptation Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 13, 2009

Temptation is a given in the life of all Christians, how we handle that temptation is a completely different story. James gives us three simple steps tht we can take to successful push back the temptations that come our way.

How to Handle Temptation James 1:13-18 Intro Do you struggle with temptation? I heard of someone who said, “I don’t struggle with temptation, I just give in to it!” Surely that is not the answer! But the fact is, there isn’t a day that goes by that we are not tempted in some way. Temptation ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Amazing Grace Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Oct 13, 2009

God’s grace will never run out - even for the worst sinner

1 Timothy 1:12-17 August 16, 2009 Amazing Grace Do you have someone who loves you? Is there something in your life that reminds you of their love? When you see it or hear it, it reminds you of how much you are loved, and it takes you back a little so you have to catch your breath? Paul ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: *other

The Marks Of Maturity: A Leadership Checklist Series

Contributed by Larry Osborne on Jun 13, 2007

Spiritual growth and maturity is often accelerated under difficult circumstances. In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10), he describes what spiritual growth looks like in the midst of “severe suffering.”

1 Timothy: Doing Church God’s Way North Coast Church Message #4 July 29-30, 2006 Dr. Larry Osborne The Marks of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Call Of Matthew According To Matthew

Contributed by Keith Bowman on Aug 1, 2005

Matthew recalls the day that Jesus called him to be a disciple. The majority of the sermon is a flashback to that day, where he wonders "Why me, what is so special about me?"

I want to thank you folks for allowing to come and speak with you today. I want to share with you a story that is very important to me. This story is about an extraordinary day that changed my life forever. It was just another day like any other, nothing really special about that day. Got up ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Be Afraid

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 25, 2006

We are here not because we are strong enough, but because God is strong enough. Therefore, we need not be afraid.

Don’t Be Afraid Jeremiah 1:4-10 Luke 4:16-30 February 26, 2006 There was this old mule that was owned by a Quaker farmer. This was the most stubborn animal that God ever created. The farmer couldn’t get this mule to do anything. He coaxed, cajoled, and even pleaded with this animal, with no ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Methodist

Serving Those In Need

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Nov 26, 2017

Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats reminds us of some important truths: people matter, faith works, and Christ judges. Jesus points us to a God who doesn't want anyone to go to hell but all to come to eternal life.

Matthew 25:31-46 Serving those in Need Have you ever seen that TV show, “Undercover Boss”? It’s when the boss of a large company goes undercover in his or her own business and discovers what’s really going on—for better or for worse—in the company. While Jesus already knows what’s going on—he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Baptist

Restoring Hope

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 30, 2022

We can live without many things, but hope isn’t one of them. The Resurrection of Jesus restored hope!

Matthew 28:1-10 Introduction: • There are many things that we can live without, but hope isn’t one of them. o Nothing can plunge us into the depths of despair quicker than losing all sense of hope. o Hope gives us a reason to get up in the morning and the ability to keep moving ahead when ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Chariots Of Fire Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Feb 20, 2023

Elisha saw what his servant did not see. That God’s army was there. Elisha had the eyes to see the chariots of fire that surrounded them.

The way you see things makes a big difference. Do you see the glass half empty or half full. You know the story of two shoe salesman that went to a primitive tribe to sell them shoes. One of them says that they are all barefoot. No one will be interested in shoes. The other salesman says they are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:8-23

Denomination: Baptist

Think It Not Strange

Contributed by Ian Johnson on Jun 4, 2003

James never suggested that Christianity would be an easy way: He tells us that we would find ourselves in various temptations.

1 PETER 4;12 12 Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. 13 Instead, be really glad--because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, JAMES 1:2-5 2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12, Isaiah 54:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ephraim & Manasseh (Genesis 48)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jul 31, 2024

Are we flexible enough to allow God to do the exact opposite of what we had expected? Let's look at Genesis 48.

Do we have narrow ideas as to how God should handle things? Are we flexible enough to allow God to surprise us, even when He does the exact opposite of what we may have expected? Let’s look at Genesis 48. What did Israel say to Joseph? What had God told him? After these things, someone said to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God Shows He Exists

Contributed by Luke Vasicek on Dec 24, 2023

God shows us that He is the creator and the one true God

God Shows Us He is Real (Topical) Nichole had a hole in her candy bag this halloween. We discovered it after we got home!—point: sometimes things just don't work. It doesn't work when we try to replace God. We try to replace God with _Science_ and _Social Justice_. Science: The Theory ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20

Denomination: Bible Church

Offended By Grace Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Oct 6, 2023

God's grace is for everyone and it can sometimes offend us instead of inspiring us.

Today we're going to dive into a cool story Jesus told about a boss and his workers. It's all about how God's grace can sometimes surprise us, and not always in the way we expect. So, picture this: A boss hires workers for his vineyard at different times of the day. Some start early in the morning, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Topics: Divine Mercy, Spiritual Gifts, Redemption, Faith

"The God Of New"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Dec 28, 2006

A sermon for the New Year

“Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Well, here we are, at the end of another year. And I mean really the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:14-21

Denomination: Orthodox

Bitter Or Better Ends

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

It is in the narrow places of life, the places where we are closed in and helpless that we may experience the healing presence of God, often at the bitter or beter end.

BITTER OR BETTER ENDS NUMBERS 22__21—35 LUKE 24:13—16, 28—32 The story found in the Book of Numbers about Balaam and his ass is one of the difficult passages in the Old Testament. For some folks, it is clear evidence that the Scriptures are an ancient relic that has absolutely no meaning for ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:21-35

Denomination: Anglican

Vision Of The Lord Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Oct 1, 2007

Just as Israel had a skewed picture of God, sometimes we do too. Instead of seeing God in His fullness, we only pick out certain attributes to focus on like His love and mercy. Do we see God as He is, or made Him into somthing He isn’t?

1. How do you see the Lord? The Lord reveals Himself as: a. A seeking God (1b-3a) b. A sovereign God (3b-8) c. A sifting God (9-10) d. A saving God (11-15) 2. How does the Lord see you? a. If you don’t see Him as He’s revealed Himself, He will show Himself to you as Judge (8-10) b. If you see ...read more

Scripture: Amos 9:1-15

Denomination: Baptist