Sermons on Surprise:

It Takes Both Sunshine And Rain To Make A Rainbow

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 8, 2006

Do you know how to break or make a Christian? Let him / her go through the process of suffering.

Exegetical Idea: Subject: How should believers respond to suffering? Complement: Unsurprised, rejoicing, knowing that they are blessed. Homiletical Idea: Persecution can break or make a Christian. Purpose: As a result of this sermon, my listeners (believers) would be made aware and encouraged ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discover Our Mission Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 5, 2006

The Church is created and empowered by the Spirit for the purpose of proclaiming God’s grace and love in word and deed.

Acts 1:1-11 “Discover Our Mission INTRODUCTION While we are being birthed as a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, during the month of October, I think it is important for us to focus on the reason and purpose for our life. Last Sunday Jose focused on Jesus’ teaching ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

12 Keys To The Kingdom Of God System Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Feb 24, 2024

Examining the parables of Jesus to fit the puzzle pieces together of how the Kingdom of God system practically works.

How does the Kingdom of God system work? The Lord Jesus taught one main message while he walked the Earth: The Kingdom of God. He taught it through parables. So if we look at the parables, and try to fit them together, we can find the basic instructions for how to live in God's world system. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:21-25, Luke 11:5-13, Mark 7:14-23, Matthew 20:1-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Salvation Army

How To Improve Your Serve In Church Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 1, 2021

The church is the vital community through which worship to God happens, it’s the place where people grow spiritually, it’s the place that fosters connection with God and others.

Series: How to improve your serve? Thesis: As Christians we are called to be servants! Yes, I said the “s” word “servants” – for many this term seems to imply to some – a slave, a person lacking self-esteem, someone of lower class, a person crushed in spirit, a person with low self-worth. But Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:4-8, Matthew 25:14-30, John 13:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Uses A Skeptic

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Aug 17, 2007

Discover how God uses unlikely vessels, such as Sarah (who laughed at God), to accomplishment His work.

To introduce this sermon the following can be done. • Walk to the platform and ask, “How many of you have heard of ‘Amazing Grace?’” (Most every hand will go up.) • Next say: “Amazing Grace is one of the most popular hymns of all time. God used a rather unlikely candidate to write that hymn.” John ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:11

Denomination: Baptist

Ask And It Shall Be Given

Contributed by William Baeta on Aug 3, 2001

Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Theme: Ask and it shall be given Text: Gen. 18:20-32; Col. 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13 Read Lk. 11:9-10 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-32, Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Like ...

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Nov 15, 2009

Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven - especially the yeast and the Mustard seed

The Kingdom of Heaven is like ... Why Parables Why not just tell it like it is? Why do we always have to wrap everything up in stories? There are a number of possible reasons. The truth is often quite are to convey directly, but by reference to something else, some of the truth can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Anglican

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

Christmas Cast Of Characters (Shepherds) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Dec 18, 2012

The story of Christmas is wrapped around people... real life people. This four-sermon-series looks closely at this special cast of characters in an attempt to find our stories in theirs. Alliterated and expository, with PowerPoint available.

Christmas: Cast of Characters (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 12/16/2012 I’ve said many times that everyone needs a place to belong, and that’s especially true during the holidays. So whether this is your first Christmas season with us or your fifty first, I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18

Denomination: Christian Church

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

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

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

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