Sermons on Surprise:

Straight Talk For Saints And Sinners

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 23, 2010

Parable of Mustard Seed & Narrow Door (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request - email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Straight talk about the Kingdom (vs 18-22) • illustration #1: like a mustard seed (vs 19). • illustration #2: like yeast (vs 21). (2). Straight talk about salvation (vs 23-33). • Entrance to the Kingdom is not automatic (vs 23-24). • Entrance to the Kingdom is a struggle ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:18-33

Denomination: Brethren

Unexpected Events (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2021

Message analyzes the incident in Exodus 4:24-26 when God sought to kill Moses. Why were God's dealings so severe when he was on his way to Egypt to do what God told him to do at the burning bush? What lessons can the Christian draw from this story?

Before we get into the message, I want to mention an opportunity we have in this season. Tomorrow, September 6th at sunset begins the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah). That also launces the annual Ten Days of Awe on the Jewish calendar which culminates on September 16th with Yom Kippur, the Day of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-29, 1 Corinthians 11:17-31, 1 Peter 4:17-18, Genesis 17:1-14, Matthew 10:28, James 3:1, James 4:15, Romans 14:5-6, Amos 5:19, 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Romans 11:22, Exodus 4:1-31  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

My Present Suffering And Future Glory Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Feb 14, 2022

The hurt of present suffering is far outweighed by the hope of future glory

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

How To Faith The Storms Of Life Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 24, 2018

I love the fact that Jesus was asleep during the storm on the Galilee. First, Jesus was a man who experienced fatigue just like us. Second, He possessed such a strong sense of tranquility that He could sleep through the storm.

INTRODUCTION That’s not a typo. We all face storms, but do you have the ability to faith the storms of life? Faith is more than a noun; it’s also a verb. I think one of the hardest jobs would be a weather forecaster. There was a Native American chief on a remote reservation in South Dakota whose ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Unwritten Contracts Series

Contributed by David Mcclain on Jul 22, 2018

There is a potentially destructive tension when our expectations of our spouse do not match our reality. We reduce the tension when we create more realistic expectations and identify and agree

OPENING SENTENCE: There is a popular commercial series from that has a character named “Captain Obvious.” INTRODUCTION: One of the common themes of the commercials is that the internet pictures and information on the hotel you booked does not always match up to what you really get. I can ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Work Of An Evangelist

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 19, 2023

The Great Commission is our call to evangelize the world. It applies to every believer, without exception. And if you are a believer, but don’t have the desire to tell others about Jesus...then you are not right with God.

The Work of an Evangelist Acts 8:26-40 Sitting in his Roman cell, knowing that the time of his death was at hand, the apostle Paul wrote one last letter to his protégé, Timothy, and encouraged him to remain faithful to the very end. He told him to 2Ti 4:5 …be watchful in all things, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Methodist

My Present Suffering And Future Glory Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 3, 2019

The hurt of present suffering is far outweighed by the hope of future glory

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Mark Of A Christian Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Mar 27, 2019

As Christians it is essential that we display the Mark of love.

The Mark Of A Christian Text: 1 John 3:11-18 Introduction 1. Illustration: "It is possible to be a Christian without showing the mark, but if we expect non-Christians to know that we are Christians, we must show the mark." "Love--and the unity it attests to--is the mark Christ gave ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Methodist

Life Challenges With God - 2019

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Dec 28, 2018

Celebrating the New Year - 2019. Looking at how God brings us New Life Challenges that will lead us to experience Him in ever new ways!

Scripture: Joshua 1 Theme: Walking with God Title: Life Challenges with God - 2019 2019 will bring Life Challenges. This sermon is to help us understand how we can face those Life Challenges with God's Help. INTRO: Grace and peace from God Our Father and from His Son Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9, Joshua 1:1-9, Joshua 1:1-18

Denomination: Nazarene

06. Persecuted For Christ Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Jul 8, 2025

Today many churches are prone to avoid discussing the truth that faith in Jesus will not always bring sunny days and a care-free life. Quite the contrary. Faith in Jesus will put you at enmity with the world.

Persecuted for Christ Mark 26, 2023 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Matthew 5:5-6 This is a chapter that most people want to skip. Today many churches are prone to avoid discussing the truth that faith in Jesus will not always bring sunny days and a care-free life. Quite the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5-6

Denomination: Brethren

Submission In The Home

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 3, 2001

The Bible sees no contradiction between the equality of men and women before God, and the distinction in roles in marriage.

Last Sunday, I spoke on the issue of male headship in the home. I mentioned that this was a difficult topic to preach on, because this is an area where our society is so far out of synch with God’s plan. I said that today, those who uphold the Biblical pattern for the home are ridiculed and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Gracious Series

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Mar 31, 2001

God’s love toward us is unconditional.

God is gracious. What does that mean? That God has good manners? That He’s courteous? No. "God’s grace is His free and unmerited favor". Let’s examine that. God’s grace is "unmerited". It is undeserved. It is unearned. It is purely a gift. We receive good things from God, not in response to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Woman Of Noble Character

Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 12, 2003

Mother’s Day sermon

Being a Woman of Noble Character Proverbs 31:10-31 May 11, 2003 Introduction Little children can come up with some very interesting ideas. Listen to what some children wrote to their mothers for Mother’s Day. Angie, 8 years old, wrote: "Dear Mother, I’m going to make dinner for you on Mother’s ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Wesleyan

Love Is Only True In Action

Contributed by Aldy Duque on Oct 28, 2003

Love is never a true love unless it is expressed in action.

I. INTRODUCTION The letter of the apostle John had two purposes in writing this letter: (1) to expose and reject the doctrinal ethical errors of the false teachers, and (2) to exhort the Christians to pursue a life of fellowship with God characterized by truth. His main concern is for the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Watchful Life Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 2, 2002

The price of a successful family life is a watchful eye over the essentials.

August 11, 2002 My daughter, Jennifer, sent me the story of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!" One day the king and his friend were ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-73

Denomination: United Methodist