Sermons on Surprise:

Home Work - Pt. 1 - Working Dads Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 12, 2011

Every home needs work! It is a good thing that there is a blueprint we can follow to build strong homes!

Home Work Pt. 1 – Working Dads I know very few people who ever enjoyed home work. I am sure that many of you, like me, did everything you could do to avoid homework! Make up lame excuses like my dog ate it! It wasn’t something that was fun. If you didn’t do it you got in trouble ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Do You Respond To The Jesus Of The Book? Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Jun 2, 2010

God confirms gospel benefits in the resurrection of the Christ.

Scripture Introduction People write for many reasons. Some seek fame or wealth, others self-fulfillment or to aid in their own learning. Some books teach skills, others simply entertain. The Apostle John’s purpose was: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah” – God’s promised redeemer. ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Facing The Roaring Lion

Contributed by Larry Wise on Aug 1, 2010

A message that tells us to be alert to what Satan is doing to oppress us.

Facing the Roaring Lion I Peter 5:8-10 "Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom" -- a familiar saying in our country. We remember from Pearl Harbor what it's like to get caught off guard. The enemy can be so deceptive: Japan's peace envoys were seated at the negotiating table at the very moment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus: Master Over Demons Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Jan 5, 2009

In this passage we see that Jesus is indeed Master over demons! There is the MISERY of the soul, the MASTERY of the Savior, the MYSTERY of salvation and the MINISTRY of serving.

Mark 5:1-20 (Also found in MT 8:28-34; LK 8:26-37) Jesus: Master Over Demons! Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had [his] dwelling among ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Unspoken Essentials Series

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Aug 23, 2010

If we are to meet the challenge of reaching this culture, we need to be authentic people who possess at least 3 essentials.

Meeting The Challenge “The Unspoken Essentials” Colossians 3:1-17 * Let’s begin this morning with repeating our 5 core beliefs. While some might know these, mom told me that ‘repetition was the mother of learning.’ (say) * Turn your attention to #5, “The Local Church is the hope of the world.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Digesting The Gospel

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 29, 2012

As an overview of the book of Romans we see how Paul summarizes and condenses the concept of the gospel within these few verses.

1. The Lawyer An independent woman started her own business. She was shrewd and diligent, so business kept coming in. Pretty soon she realized she needed an in-house counsel, and so she began interviewing young lawyers. "As I’m sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:25-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Prayer Keys - Praise Series

Contributed by Mark Stepherson on Mar 1, 2012

Jesus himself thought praise was so important that he began and ended the model prayer with it. “Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name... for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.” Surely our prayers are incomplete wi

Prayer Keys - Praise “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalms 34:1 Vultures and hummingbirds are both birds, but the similarity doesn’t go much beyond that. If you watch an old western, when people on the trail see vultures circling in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1

Denomination: Baptist

When God Doesn’t Make Sense

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Mar 20, 2012

There are some Biblical realities that we need to come to grips that will help us answer the question of where is God when life hurts?

Last Sunday I received a phone call from a man wanting to test drive our 2002 Ford Excursion that we had for sell. It was parked in Augusta and I told the man that I could meet him in about 15 -20 minutes. I met the man and he seemed like a really nice fella that wanted to surprise his wife with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Romans 7:6

Denomination: Other

Maximum Exposure

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on May 4, 2012

In the parable of the tenants we see the characteristics of God Man and Jesus

Maximum Exposure Mark 12:1-12 Intro: One day, a bus driver was driving along his usual route. He didn’t encounter any problems for the first few stops; a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well. At one stop, however, a big hulk of a man got on. He was 6’ 8" ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Choices

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Aug 22, 2009

People and missions -equals church Neighbors are the people you choose not the ones next door.

Choices Luke 10:25-37 In the weeks since Easter we have been looking at Bible passages that dealt with God’s vision and expectations. I applied the over all view to being a church that lives and ministers beyond the walls of this building as being an absolute necessity if we were to be living as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Congregational

Refiners Fire

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Jan 27, 2014

The Woman asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy when I see my image in it." This day, I want to speak of the Refiners Fire. Updated February 2025.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture Readings prior to the message. Today's readings are: Malachi 3:1-5; Psalm 126; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 and Luke 3:1-6 Let us pray... O' Heavenly Father. You are the refiner of our souls. May we have confidence in your ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29, Romans 8:18, Ephesians 1:22, Titus 2:14, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Philippians 1:6, 1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 John 1:9, Romans 12:1-2, Nehemiah 8:10, James 1:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Why Jesus Came

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 18, 2014

Jesus came to proclaim the gospel to all the world. Let’s make sure we’re a church that continues his work as faithful disciples who continue to proclaim the gospel.

It’s easy to get carried away when things are going well in our ministry isn’t it? We can get caught up in the excitement of ministry and think this is what it’s all about! And if we have enough success we might even be tempted to so focus on that particular area of ministry that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:32-45

Denomination: Anglican

This Is Your Life, From Start To Finish

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Feb 22, 2014

A message for our seniors on senior appreciation day. A look at the Christian life

This Is Your Life, From Start To Finish Psalm 63: 1-4 Intro: How many remember the old TV program called “This is your life”? For us younger folks, it was a TV program that started in 1952 and this original series lasted until 1961. There were spin offs and copycats but none were ever ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Stop Passing Judgment Series

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Feb 26, 2014

Let’s consider what it means to stop passing judgment on others. 1- We must not be stumbling blocks 2- We must recognize the kingdom 3- We must do whatever leads to peace

INTRO.- ILL.- Wrong Guesses: A six-year-old lad came home with a note from his teacher in which it was suggested that he be taken out of school because he was “too stupid to learn.” That boy was Thomas A. Edison. (and yet Edison is the fourth most prolific inventor in history, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Kingdom Of God, Introduction And Old Testament View Of The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on May 26, 2015

We begin a survey of the Bible searching for the Kingdom of God. First, background is laid in the Old Testament.

1 . LAYING THE GROUNDWORK A. Why such a study? Psalm 45:1 is my verse now: "My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King (and His Kingdom); my tongue is the pen of a ready writer!" When was the last time you prayed “Thy kingdom come”? What did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God