Sermons on Surprise:

Unity Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on May 23, 2013

Unity is not formed from agreement, but from love and forgiveness.

John 17:20-26 “Unity” INTRODUCTION The words contained in today’s lesson are some of the most troubling Jesus ever spoke. We think we understand Jesus’ parables, like the Parable of the Sower, or the Parable of the Prodigal Son.” The significance of “Come ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Attaining The Countenance Of Jesus

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 1, 2014

Love is always lived out in body and in spirit

Thursday of Fourth Week in Course Lumen Fidei All of us long for a world, a culture, of perfect justice, of perfect peace, where everyone is centered on doing the will of God, and no one is impoverished in spirit, soul or body. David got it, and the apostles preached it. When Jesus sent them ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:7-13

Denomination: Catholic

God Is Light And He Can Be Found

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 8, 2014

Even those who are not Christian are being drawn to the light and vision of God in Christ..

Thursday of 5th Week in Course 2014 Lumen Fidei The people of Israel were called to be a light to the nations. Even in the early books of the Bible, we see this. Abraham was to be a blessing for all peoples. Israel was supposed to be totally faithful to the One God, and her worship was supposed ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-30

Denomination: Catholic

God In The City

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 23, 2014

A word picture of the justice and mercy of God, set against the dark backdrop of a rebellious people.

GOD IN THE CITY. Zephaniah 3:1-5. A Christian applied for a job which would involve helping some of those on the margins of society. ‘Why would you want to work in this God-forsaken place,’ asked the interviewer. ‘Because it is not God-forsaken,’ replied the candidate. This short passage of ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nice Form No Power

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jul 19, 2019

An old commercial once asked, "Where's the beef!" We might ask ourselves where's power?

2Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 1Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:5, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 2 Peter 2:1, Matthew 13:58  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Moses' Faith Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jul 22, 2019

Moses took courageous actions in faith including going against the Mighty Pharaoh of Egypt!

Thinking of our loss of Evie Morris Gutzmer, my 27 year old recently married niece, I actually thought of not coming to church today. But in spite of our pain, God is always worthy of worship! Nothing is impossible with our God! God could have healed Evie’s body last Tuesday night; but God loved ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-28, Exodus 2:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 2, 2020

This sheltering interlude is a time when we should be, and many of us have been, acquiring more understanding of our faith.

Tuesday of the 4th week of Easter 2020 “Growing Pains” When the authorities in Jerusalem, a few years after the Resurrection of Christ, determined to wipe out the new Jesus cult that was attracting so many converts, their persecution had an unintended result. The Jesus contagion spread all over ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26, John 10:22-30

Denomination: Catholic

Reflection B.19 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Summary So Far. Do We Imagine God Has Something To Say?

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

This is a summary of the Reflections on coronavirus so far (series A and B). I will follow with a series based on the New Testament excluding Revelation, and then another on Revelation, in the coming weeks.

Today we’re at a milestone in our Reflections. We’ll be leaving the Old Testament! Do I hear ‘hooray’? 🙂 After a short break we’ll move on to the New Testament. A milestone is a good place to take stock. It’s probably impossible to summarise 23 Reflections in a short space but I’m ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:12

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Mercy

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Apr 22, 2022

“Tell God that I know I have no right to ask this -- but, I would like to be able to live with him. "

Lamentations 3:19 says “His mercies begin afresh each day.” God’s gives you a fresh start each day. Mercy—God’s gift-of-self within the Trinity to his gift-of-self to us. Mercy is a gift given and to be shared. e.g. A man named Charles was lying in a hospital bed near death. Anyone who knew ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19

Denomination: Catholic

An Outline Of Acts 4:1-22

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 4, 2021

Peter and John were arrested after they healed a man born lame, as recorded in Acts 3. Now they're on trial, the next day, before a group of Israel's leaders. What happened next? (This is another outline from a miniseries on Acts I preached several years ago.)

Introduction: In Acts 3, Luke records how Peter and John were on their way to the Temple to observe and take part in the afternoon time of prayer. While on the way there, they saw and then healed a man who had been lame from his birth. Peter preached another message to the crowd who had gathered in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Psalm Of Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Mar 19, 2024

A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING

Psalm 105:1-6 A PSALM OF THANKSGIVING A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After 10 years of silence was asked, “Do you have anything to say?” “Food bad.” Another 10 years, “Bed hard.” Another 10 years, “I quit.” older monk replied, It's no surprise You’ve done nothing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-6

Denomination: Holiness

Rabboni Series

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Apr 3, 2024

Jesus addresses each of us in a personal way.

Rabonni March 31, 2024 John 20: 1 – 18 – Easter Sunday Intro: This morning when I was getting ready for church, I paused for just a moment and prayer that during this service Jesus would appear behind you all. Sometimes, I think that is what it will take for many to believe in Him and ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Beginning And End Of Ephesians.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 5, 2024

Opening greeting and closing benediction.

THE BEGINNING AND END OF EPHESIANS. Ephesians 1:1-2, Ephesians 6:21-24. In my studies around the book of Ephesians, I have occasionally come across the attitude that this book could not have been written by Paul, because it is too impersonal. Yet, if we take the time to read the beginning ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-2, Ephesians 6:21-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Believer Trees

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Sep 21, 2024

we are the oaks of righteousness.

The Believer Tree Psalm 1 1. In this Psalm compares us the Believers to that of a tree • The Psalmist compares the upright, : 3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 2. Trees do ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Unexpected Visitor

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Jan 30, 2023

A Sermon for the 4th Sunday of Epiphany, Year A

January 29, 2023 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; Matthew 5:1-12 The Unexpected Visitor Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus opens up his Sermon on the Mount with a real show-stopper. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, 1 Corinthians 1:18-21

Denomination: Lutheran