Sermons on Surprise:

Barriers

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Apr 28, 2013

Instead of removing barriers to faith, Jesus erects them. Why?

The story we have read together today is surprising in many ways. The way Jesus handles this situation is confusing, because some of the things Jesus are saying are upsetting his followers, and it seems that he does not make it easier, but harder for them. Our natural instinct is to take down ...read more

Scripture: John 6:44-69, Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Methodist

"Living The Abundant Life"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Aug 16, 2011

What we can do to realize the plan that God has for our lives.

“Living the Abundant Life” August 21, 2011 John 10:10 Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10

Denomination: Holiness

Where Is God When I Hurt? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

1 Peter is a book about suffering. It’s about how to live in a hostile culture for faith.

A pastor is cutting his front lawn. He looks up from mowing to see a dump truck back out of his neighbor’s driveway. Yet, the large truck backed over his neighbor’s eighteen month old son. The little boy had been squatting behind the truck’s huge tire. The pastor joined the boy’s hysterical mother ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

The End Times Matter Now Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

As a Christian believer, is the end of time really that important to my life? Does it really make a difference to how I live?

My Aims for End Times Series: over the course of the next few weeks, I want you to join the believers of the early church by feeling the wonder and awe of the Bible’s teaching of Christ’s return. I want the impact of Christ’s return to stir you with new affections for Christ. As a Christian ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-59

Denomination: Baptist

Is Your All On The Altar Of Sacrifice Laid? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2021

If God hated human sacrifice, why would He ask Abraham to offer his only son as a burnt offering to Him? And what can this story mean to us?

CHILDREN'S STORY (I used a flannel graph display on the overhead) In the days of Abraham, one of the ways people showed their love for God by offering Him a sacrifice. A sacrifice is like a gift. It’s something you give to God to show Him you are willing to obey Him, even when it costs you ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Are You Looking For?

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Sep 27, 2022

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. This is what separates and makes us unique from other world religions.

Today, Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive, and He is alive forever. The ground where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus laid his body began to shake, and this massive stone that serves as a door to Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. And so when the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Foursquare

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

How The Faithful Overcome Challenges Series

Contributed by Cameron Conway on Mar 5, 2019

Whether or not we overcome challenges placed before us ends up proving if we can accomplish the things God has planned for 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

The 3 'fear Nots' Of Christmas

Contributed by John Gaston on Dec 8, 2023

Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds were all told by angels to "Fear Not." Many times our lives -- even around Christmas time -- involve fears. But God gave us Christmas to bring sweet peace & joy!

THE 3 FEAR NOTS OF CHRISTMAS Lk. 1:26-33 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. 'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house; I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse. Instructions were studied and we were inspired, In hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required." 2. The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33, Matthew 1:18-24, Luke 2:8-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Being Intentional: The Choice; Faithful And Wise Or Wicked. Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Feb 9, 2021

This is a sermon/message delivered at the 2021 officers councils for the Fiji Division of The Salvation Army. A reminder that Jesus knew the fragilities of his disciples and that they would be tempted. Like them, we all need reminding.

Being intentional: The choice, faithful and wise or wicked Matthew 24:45: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:48, Matthew 24:45-51, John 6:35, Matthew 4:4

Denomination: Salvation Army

What Does God's Will Have To Do With My Circumstances?

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 15, 2021

Circumstances aren’t always just circumstances. We have to learn to see God at work.

We’ve been talking about God’s Will for the past 4-5 Sundays. Today I ask the question, “What does God’s Will have to do with my circumstances in my everyday life?” God answers our prayers all the time. But many of those times we don’t even realize it was God trying to get our attention. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-32, Ephesians 3:20

Denomination: Baptist

Chase The Wind Or Stand On The Rock

Contributed by Ken Mckinley on Oct 16, 2021

A life that is built pursuing worldly things is like chasing the wind. But a life built on the Rock which is Christ is the only one that will endure.

Chase the Wind or Stand on the Rock Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER If you will, take your Bibles this morning and open them up to the Book of Ecclesiastes. I’ve been looking a lot at the wisdom literature from Scripture recently, and I don’t know about all of you, but in these ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

One Hope Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 2, 2024

In this seven-week series, we explore the seven "ones" of Ephesians 4 and how they can help us experience the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace! Week three: One Hope.

ONE: The Unity of the Spirit (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 1/21/2018 A loaded mini-van pulled up to the only remaining campsite. Four youngsters leaped from the vehicle and feverishly began unloading the gear and setting up the tent. The boys rushed off to gather ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:23

Denomination: Christian Church

Putting Light On The Subject Series

Contributed by Perry Fowler on Sep 13, 2023

What does the creation of light and the timing of its creation on day 1 reveal about you and your God?

Scientists, in 2016 made an interesting discovery. When studying human conception, they saw something that they had never noticed before. What they noticed was that when sperm meets an egg that there is a sudden flash of light. They describe it as “an explosion, or fireworks.” As a matter of fact, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Living A Life Of Unconditional Love

Contributed by Mason Davis on Jul 19, 2025

How to live life loving without reservations or hesitation

LIVING A LIFE OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE By: C. Mason Davis A pastor from a small town was asked to preach at a church while their pastor was away. This church had more members than he’d seen in any one place before. He was pretty nervous and even more so just minutes before the service was to start. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4