Sermons on Surprise:

The Preparation Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Nov 29, 2007

Part 2 of a 6 week series on sharing faith. This is the power of our evangelistic effort-prayer.

OUT OF THE SALTSHAKER AND INTO THE WORLD Part Two—The Preparation of Prayer Mark 4:3-8, 13-20, 26-29 Sunday, July 29, 2007 Pastor Brian Matherlee In preparation for a meeting in a large city, famed evangelist Billy Sunday wrote a letter to the mayor and asked for the name of individuals he knew ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:3-29

Denomination: Wesleyan

Protection Plan

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 17, 2009

Once you are in Christ you have God’s ‘Hedge’ around you? That does not mean problems or adversaries won’t arise? There will be more than you can imagine but you won’t be going through it all alone. The presence of God will never leave you nor forsake you

Opening illustration: During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades. Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Not A Picnic, A Purpose! Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 4, 2017

The Christian walk is not picnic! It involves purpose which extends beyond the lite and breezy. In it we are serious about our Influence; Mercy; Faith; and Service.

1. Entebbe Raid On July 4, 1976, Israeli commandos made a daring on the Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, rescuing 103 Jewish hostages. In 15 minutes, the soldiers killed the seven kidnappers and set the captives free. But three hostages were also killed during Operation Entebbe. As the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Crowns And Rewards

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on Oct 20, 2018

When the disciples approach Jesus about spots in his Kingdom, he turns things upside down

A friend of mine this week said something that has resonated with me. She said that in her family, she was the designated worrier. Now, I admit, she has much in her life to be worried about, but that is her story. Our stories are different, but I can’t help but wonder if we have a designated ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:8, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 20:20-28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Not What We Expected

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jul 9, 2018

Opposition to the Good News of Jesus Christ is nothing new. The first 12 pastors were instructed how to deal with it. Think long and hard how you respond to the message of the Good News as there are consequences depending on your reaction.

Not What We Expected Mark 6:1-13 Jesus said that; ““A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” “He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4 Sometimes people think they know you. They think they know your family and your family ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-3, James 5:13-16, Mark 6:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why The Phenomenal Advent!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Dec 20, 2017

In this Message, Yours truly aims to glean some lessons from the phenomenal advent of Christ. None before Him were born to a Virgin and none after Him. So why did Christ come into this World in such a miraculous way?

Why the Phenomenal Advent? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.- Isaiah 7:14 (a prophecy roughly about 750 years before the birth of ...read more

Denomination: *other

12/21/12

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Dec 23, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: Will the end of the world happen on December 21, 2012? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: All people: believers and unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To prove that no one knows the end of the world, only GOD knows. IV. TEXT: 1 Thessalonia

I. EXORDIUM: Will the end of the world happen on December 21, 2012? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: All people: believers and unbelievers III. OBJECTIVES: To prove that no one knows the end of the world, only GOD knows. IV. TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (New Century Version) You know very well that the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Is Church Healthy For You And Your Family

Contributed by Tom Feola on Sep 18, 2012

See why going to church is healthy for you and your family.

Why Is Church Healthy For You And Your Family Proverbs 4:20-23 (NKJV) My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Like... Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 2, 2015

This is the 8th sermon in the series "Are You Real?". Who are you like?

Series: Are You Real? [#8] BE LIKE… 1 John 3:11-24 Introduction: On this Mother’s Day, I want us to continue in our series in 1 John. When God put Adam to sleep and took a rib from him, He created a very different creature- Woman. The old saying, “Boys are made out of snips ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Forewarned Is Forearmed Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 1, 2016

Jesus warns his followers about hard times near at hand, in the current age, and in the future end times. Today we will look at the “then” and the “now.” Next time we will begin to address the “later.”

Forewarned is Forearmed (Mark 13:1-13) 1. A woman blogs, “Today, I learned that my daughter's gerbils are not afraid of the vacuum cleaner.” 2. That is not normal. All animals should be afraid of the vacuum cleaner. And all people should know how to spell it. One c, two ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Learn From Zacchaeus Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Feb 4, 2013

Do not be a "know-it-all" Christian but learn from Zacchaeus.

Let us continue our worship by learning from God’s Word. Please open your Bibles to Luke 18…. Look again at v18-23….. We noted last week that this ruler thought he was going to heaven because he had done the best he could in the sight of men. But because he lacked full ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God’s Gift To Mankind: A Lamb Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 13, 2010

The focus of our personal ministries should be introducing and calling attention to Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

God’s Gift to Mankind: A Lamb (John 1:19-34) 1. For about 14 years, I have been teaching AWANA. I teach each of our three division, beginning with a puppet skit and then a flannel graph lesson with felt figures… 2. I taught the Christmas Story to the Sparks, K=2nd grade…then Austin helped me ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Becoming The Messiah's Disciple Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2010

The basics of discipleship are easy to understand, not always easy to do, but thye are the prerequisites to become the kind of Christian God expects you to become.

Becoming The Messiah's Disciple (John 1:35-51) 1. Sometimes we hear phrases and teachings so often that we could easily parrot them back, but we really understand? 2. A chauffeur had driven the chemistry professor to dozens of speaking engagements. He’d heard the same canned speech scores ...read more

Scripture: John 1:35-51

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Life After Christmas Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 3, 2011

Life after Christmas is really not about life after December 25 but life after believing and receiving Jesus Christ in your heart.

Most people have a wonderful time during Christmas! But once December 25 is over, what do most people think about?? Many will say, “the reason for the season is Jesus Christ!”; but many people really don’t think about Christ with their plans after Christmas and the New Year! How about us? What is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:16-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Art Of Listening: Last Sunday Of Epiphany

Contributed by Fr. Rian Adams on Mar 5, 2019

The Rev. Rian Adams. This sermon on the transfiguration encourages people to actively listen to God.

The Art of Listening The Rev. Rian Adams Peter is my favorite disciple. Not because he was perfect; God knows he was far from it. He spoke first and listened to others last. In the Gospels, he is as an overconfident loud-mouth, and he cannot contain himself, his ego needs an audience for his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

Denomination: Episcopal