Sermons on surprise: showing 706-720 of 27,923

Joy Series

Contributed by Suzanne Wall on Dec 15, 2019

In today's readings, Advent is a promise of joyful disruption.

Joy Last year, I also got to speak for the third Sunday of Advent. But turns out I can’t just repeat that sermon. Last year, the bible passages were about Advent bringing a promise of joyful reconciliation. This year, I’d say the readings are about Advent as a promise of joyful disruption. Isaiah ...read more

In The World

Contributed by Jonathan Meyer on Dec 13, 2017

Jesus, the true light, came into the world--but no one recognized Him for who He truly was, nor was He received. But for all who have received Him, we now go out as Lights in His name, that others would recognize Jesus in us and receive Him who is coming!

In 1929, The Saturday Evening Post ran an article on Albert Einstein. It was an interview with this brilliant man. And in that interview, he said this: “As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew,” he said, “but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Only He Is Worthy Of Our Worship Series

Contributed by Jeffery Richards on Sep 19, 2002

Third in the series on Worship. No other true God exist.

ONLY HE IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP Isa 45:18-19 A man walked over to the perfume counter and told the clerk he’d like a bottle of Chanel #5 for his wife for their anniversary. "A little surprise, eh?" smiled the clerk. "You bet," answered the customer. "She’s expecting a cruise." Surprises can ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Reunion With The Saints.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Apr 28, 2004

After Peter’s release from prison, he began to seek the Saints, God’s people. When you turn people lose to go wherever they please you soon discover their character.

The reunion with the Saints. Acts 12:12 -- 17. 04/28/04 We are finishing up our study about the life of Peter. This is the third study in acts chapter 12. We started by talking about the repression of the King. We saw how that king Herod had James killed and it pleased the ungodly Jews and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Number One Condition Of Answered Prayer

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

What is the condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned the most? It’s the necessity of faith.

- The condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned most often was faith/notice how many times faith and belief are mentioned in vv. 22, 23, 24. How Much Faith Do We Have? 1. Are you surprised when an answer to prayer comes? - v. 21. - “One of the terrible marks of the diseased state of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

Helping Unhealthy People

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 29, 2010

We need to offer help to those who are unhealthy

Helping Unhealthy People Matthew 17:14-23 Dr. Tolliver has made the following statement: “Spiritually healthy Christians coming together in healthy churches, going to an unhealthy world, with the healing Gospel of Jesus Christ” This parallels what is going on this text. There is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-23

Denomination: Baptist

Part 8 - Matthew 12:22-28 - I’m An Atheist And I Intend To Stay That Way! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 9, 2010

His recovery was amazing. An answer to prayer! I introduced myself. He looked at me, recognised who I was immediately, and said vehemently, "I’m an ATHEIST and I intend to stay that way!" His response to Christ as he had faced the possibility of death was

Part 8 - Matthew 12:22-28 - I’M AN ATHEIST AND I INTEND TO STAY THAT WAY! He was wide eyed but unable to speak properly. The nurses told me that he did not have long to live. Brian (not his real name) was experiencing spasms of pain and shortness of breath. He was groaning, and looked weak, drawn ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Love Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 1, 2010

The power of the world and the exercise of force could not defeat Jesus, the Son of God. He is raised by the power of God's love--a love that transforms both the followers of Jesus and the world.

Luke 24:1-12 “The Power of Love” INTRODUCTION The greatest story of love is the story of Jesus the Christ. His incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection profoundly demonstrate God’s love for all humankind. This love is transformational—life altering. Once we are ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Signs Of The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 21, 2017

John questions if Jesus is truly the Messiah. Jesus instructs John’s disciples to tell John what is happening and how the kingdom is evident.

Luke 7:18-35 “Signs of the Kingdom” INTRODUCTION Every one of us experience watershed events in our lives. These are times when our way of thinking, our perspective on life and the path that we follow is dramatically altered. For many Christians one of these events was when they began to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Lutheran

Take A Step Of Faith Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 27, 2022

We find The Children of Israel on the edge of the promise land. They had been wandering in the wilderness the past forty years. But to possess the Promised Land they must cross the Jordan River at flood stage. Everything was about to change with this step of faith.

I was eight years old and very surprised that my parents were telling me I would be staying up past my bedtime, but even more surprising is why I will miss my bedtime. The reason was to watch TV. I remember what I saw on TV that night. It was July 20, 1969 and I was watching Neil Armstrong live ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Christ: Pierced

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jan 18, 2001

He brought forth a bride for the first Adam from his side; now He has done the same for the Last Adam

It has been said many times, that crucifixion must be the cruelest form of capital punishment ever devised by the mind of man. In our culture of comfort, and in a time when the pendulum of justice has swung so far away from the protection of society and so far toward the protection of the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:31-37

Denomination: Orthodox

The Dawn Of A New Day

Contributed by Josh Foster on Feb 20, 2014

The experiences and reactions of the women on Easter Sunday morn, in many ways mirror our reaction to the New Day that has come through Jesus’ resurrection.

Walkin’ with Jesus: The Dawn of a New Day Scripture Text: Mark 16.1-8 INTRODUCTION The Easter story is an amazing and moving-story ~ …but not-just-because it touches us emotionally. But, it’s incredible and powerful because it really did happen; …and-because of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Nazarene

Going Where The Action Is--Perspectives On The Jabez Territory Series

Contributed by Don Hawks on Mar 16, 2002

When Jabez cried out to God “enlarge my territory” he was looking at his present circumstance and concluding, “Surely I was born for more than this"--this message will help us to see where to go where the action is in the Jabez territory.

Today is part 4 of 6 of the challenges of the prayer of Jabez. Going where the action is and some perspectives on the Jabez territory. We are examining the prayer of Jabez. Some of you may have it memorized by now: “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Deal Of The Century

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Apr 27, 2002

Some of the things that make Christ and Christianity the deal of the century.

THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY INTRO.- Good deals are where you find them. ILL.- It’s been said that our mammas of the past did not hesitate to bargain. Questioning a price was standard procedure. One mamma asked, "How much are these cucumbers?" "Two for five cents." She pushed one aside and asked, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Deal Of The Century

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 19, 2003

Many things make Christianity the deal of the century.

THE DEAL OF THE CENTURY INTRO.- Good deals are where you find them. ILL.- It’s been said that our mammas of the past did not hesitate to bargain. Questioning a price was standard procedure. One mamma asked, "How much are these cucumbers?" "Two for five cents." She pushed one aside and asked, "And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ