Sermons on Surprise:

When Questions Aren't Questions Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 20, 2002

Questions are often not mere inquiries; there is an agenda behind them. We need to answer according to the situation, like Jesus did.

When Questions Aren’t Questions (Matt. 21:23-22:43; Luke 20:20-40; Mark 12:28-34) 1. You cannot win with some people: A new body repairman was just breaking in at the car shop. He was working on his first official project, a banged up car. He made significant repairs, taking his time, feeling ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:20-40

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Romeo, Car 54, And God

Contributed by John Beehler on Sep 10, 2002

Where was God on 9/11?

Romeo, Car 54, and God Some events in history impact us so greatly, that we will always remember them and where we were when we heard the news. Pearl Harbor. JFK’s assassination. The Space Shuttle explosion. You probably remember exactly where you were and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 10:1-3

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith That Fails Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Sep 16, 2002

The fourth of six on James. Not all faith is powerful. There is a faith that fails. There is a faith that is worthless. James says that faith without works is dead. The deeds we do are the natural outgrowth of our faith. If there are no deeds, no wo

Faith that Fails Not all faith is powerful. There is a faith that fails. There is a faith that is worthless. James says that faith without works is dead. The deeds we do are the natural outgrowth of our faith. If there are no deeds, no works of the flesh, then there is no real faith because ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Jesus Overcame Others' Faulty Assumptions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How Jesus Overcame Others’ Faulty Assumptions

How Jesus Overcame Others’ Faulty Assumptions - Matt. 22:23-24 Illustration:Leadership is the discipline of deliberately exerting special influence within a group to move it towards goals of beneficial permanence that fulfills the group’s real needs. Dr. John Haggai, Lead On!. Everyone ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Running To Win

Contributed by Troy Bohn on Oct 18, 2000

Heb 12:1-2 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the j

Heb 12:1-2 "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Poor Are Rich

Contributed by Peter Ghalayini on Nov 13, 2000

In poorness we are rich

I heard an interesting story about a self-made millionaire who was giving a talk about how he made his fortune from nothing. He spoke about how he left school at an early age and worked hard to make ends meet. He took some risks and eventually it paid off and he is where he is today because he took ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: Lutheran

Priorities And Purpose Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Sep 11, 2003

A look at how Jesus set His priorities in line with His purpose and how we can do the same.

7, September 2003 Dakota Community Church Priorities and Purpose Week 4: Imitate Christ Series Hebrews 12:2-3 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2-3, Luke 19:9-10

Denomination: Mennonite

God's Emotional Matrix Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 29, 2003

If we let the Bible speak for itself, we find a God Who is often different than the God many Christians present, a God with a complicated emotional matrix.

God’s Emotional Matrix 1. The sermons over the last few weeks have really stretched us. 2. We mentioned the purpose for all creation, to glorify God. Creation does this by SHOWCASING what is special about God. 3. We cannot develop God’s special qualities, because they are already perfect. All ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:4-5, Psalm 86:15-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Prays For His Disciples

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jun 3, 2003

Jesus knew that there would be times when storms would come and cause an upheaval for these disciples that He was praying for.

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS DISCIPLES Text: John 17:6-19 I read an account about a storm that came as a surprise. "The storm came roaring in from the Atlantic, and it left the city of New York paralyzed. Ordinarily such a snow fall cause little inconvenience in that city. Snowplows are ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: United Methodist

No Partiality Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Mar 10, 2003

God is directing the expansion of His church, and uses Cornelius as a gate between Jews and Gentiles.

Conversions in the Book of Acts> “No Partiality” Acts chapter 10 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Peter opened the door to the Gentiles, granting them full standing in the community of faith. The Gospel came to the House of Israel first, because Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Congregational

"Holy Hands"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 10, 2003

We are called to be the Holy Hands of Christ.

Mark 1:40-42 “Holy Hands” By: Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist, Newport News, VA Jesus’ hands were holy hands. Hebrews chapter 4 tells us that Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” But the religious people of Jesus’ day certainly didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-42

Denomination: United Methodist

The Son Rise Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 11, 2003

The Resurrection is the one event in all history that can turn gloom to joy, make meaningless lives meaningful, and make the followers of Jesus Christ more than conquerors.

The Son Rise (Matt. 27:62-28:15, Mark 16:1-11, Luke 23:56-24:11, John 20:1-18) Bulletin insert I wrote for this sermon; it has helpful info. Sermon outline follows it. Resurrection: The Ultimate Victory The four Gospels each contain bits of information about the events occurring after the ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

En Theos [enthusiasm]

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 6, 2004

A simple formula for a more exciting, energizing existence...In God = En Theos = Enthusiasm. Several Biblical reasons to be enthused about being ’en Theos’. Link included to formatted text, audio, and PowerPoint Presentation.

En Theos [Enthusiasm] Ps. 122:1 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/Enthusiasm.html Introduction: Webster’s Dictionary says the meaning of enthusiasm / excitement is "to be stirred or thrilled." Some would say they have enthusiasm at times, it depends on what they are doing...what they are ‘into’ at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Baptist

"The Trickster Gets Tricked"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 23, 2002

Like Jacob, we must keep our focus on Jesus not the obstacles which get in our way.

Genesis 29:15-28 Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 “The Trickster Gets Tricked” By Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA In our Old Testament Lesson for this morning: Jacob the trickster gets tricked. Jacob had literally ruined and wrecked his life. He had ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28, Matthew 13:31-52

Denomination: United Methodist

Community Or Chaos: The Danger Of Doing Business As Usual Series

Contributed by Alvin Hathaway, Sr. on Mar 16, 2009

The danger of doing business as usual is that you will miss your mission, that you will miss your miracle, and you will miss the Master.

Community or Chaos: The Danger of Doing Business as Usual John 21: 1-12 John 21:3 “I go a fishing.” The life and times of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reflects the Black Church and Black people at their best. We are all proud of his academic and social accomplishments. Unfortunately, ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-12

Denomination: Baptist