Sermons on Surprise:

Don't Look, But God's Looking At You!

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on Jul 8, 2012

God sees us for who we really are!

1 Samuel 16:7-But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Guy Henry tells this story…This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7

Denomination: Baptist

Pearls Of Joy In The Ocean Of Pain: Three Reasons For Rejoicing In Suffering Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 6, 2014

Living as a Church in a Foreign Land Pearls of Joy in the Ocean of Pain: Three Reasons for Rejoicing in Suffering

Living as a Church in a Foreign Land Pearls of Joy in the Ocean of Pain: Three Reasons for Rejoicing in Suffering 1 Peter 4:12-19 David Taylor We are in our last mini-series in 1 Peter, “Living as a Church in a Foreign Land,” where Peter tells us how to live life of discipleship ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call To Priesthood

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 12, 2015

There is a special set of charisms and sufferings for those called to pastoral office in the Church.

Christians, especially Catholics, should never be surprised by suffering and pain. If we are surprised, it ought to be if we do not suffer pain and disappointment and grief. Jesus told us that during His absence, we would weep and lament while the secular world rejoices. St. Teresa commented ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-22

Denomination: Catholic

Last Raps Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 8, 2018

As he concludes his letter, the writer to the Hebrews reminds us to give special care to three relationships in our spiritual lives.

Last Raps (Hebrews 13:7-23) 1. A game warden catches an unlicensed fisherman in the act. "You're going to pay a big fine for all those fish in your bucket" But, officer, I didn't catch these -- they are my pet fish and I just bring them here to swim. When they're done they jump back into the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Is Jesus God? The Old Testament Answer Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Nov 19, 2018

A message showing how the Old Testament was looking for God to come to earth as a human being.

IS JESUS GOD? THE OLD TESTAMENT ANSWER “For to us a child is born ... and His name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6f) Jesus does not just reveal God. He is God. When we look at the Old Testament it gives hints and express ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Suffering Of A Christian

Contributed by Joel Santos on Sep 23, 2004

You can be sure that a person is saved when overcoming trials!

You can be sure that a person is saved when overcoming trials. I. The characteristics of trials a. Trials are painful v.12a b. Trials cause sufferings v.12,15,16 c. Trials sometimes strange v.12b II. The Christian attitudes toward trials a. Do not be surprised v.12a b. Rejoice in trials ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Serving And Struggling Together Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Feb 10, 2025

It’s worth it to live a worthy life.

Serving and Struggling Together Philippians 1:27-30 Rev. Brian Bill February 8-9, 2025 When we bought our house in Central Illinois, one of the things that came with it was an obnoxious doorbell chime. Not only was the unit big and ugly but when someone rang it, it would blast out Beethoven’s 5th ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

David And His Prodigal

Contributed by Jim Nicodem on Jul 22, 2009

A message to encourage parents from the story of Amnon and Tamar.

INTRO: Parenting is hard work! To do the job well requires a lot of time and effort and intentionality on the part of moms and dads. -Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for parents to become increasingly lax about their child-raising responsibilities over time. It’s not uncommon for parents to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trial By Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 2, 2007

These verses direct believers to 1) Expect suffering, 2) Exult in suffering, 3) Evaluate suffering, and 4) Entrust suffering to God

This week, Firefighters rescued the marble temples and stadiums of ancient Olympia from raging flames but forest fires ravaged nearby villages and the death toll from Greece’s three-day inferno rose to 58. "The church bells are ringing. It’s hell here," a resident from Oinoi village north of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Other

"faith To Face The Fire"

Contributed by David Henderson on Nov 4, 2020

If there is anything that can get your attention, it’s a fire. As a child I remember our neighbor’s house caught on fire and I watched from our window as the house was burning down.

“Faith to Face the Fire” Daniel 3:1-30 and 1 Peter 4:12 If there is anything that can get your attention, it’s a fire. As a child I remember our neighbor’s house caught on fire and I watched from our window as the house was burning down. Later in life the church we grew up in had a fire and the ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-30, 1 Peter 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah 1 Series

Contributed by Austin Lamos on Jan 25, 2021

Jonah part 1. A look at Jonah chapters 1 and 2.

Good Evening. I ‘ve got some good news for you. Or maybe you won’t like it so much but it’s still going to happen. I’m going to be bringing the Word to you tonight and on Sunday. So, I get to do something that I don’t normally get to do. We’re going to have a two-part message for tonight and ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

A Passion For The Lost

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 8, 2021

Jesus welcomed those who others rejected. The Pharisees and scribes pushed them away. The crowd just watched. Who will we be like?

We’re continuing our journey with Jesus and his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem. This week we’re taking a big hop from Luke 12 to Luke 15. As Jesus and his disciples travelled, Jesus has been teaching [picture on slide]. He and his disciples have been healing and casting out demons. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7, John 10:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Tell Me The Story Of Jesus

Contributed by Robert Webb on Dec 5, 2024

In the birth of Jesus Heaven met earth and Deity became clothed with humanity. We do not know when Jesus was born, but the world pauses to reflect on it at this time of the year.

Tell me the story of Jesus In the birth of Jesus Heaven met earth and Deity became clothed with humanity. We do not know when Jesus was born, but the world pauses to reflect on it at this time of the year. I feel it is very important and we should reflect on it all through the year, because the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7, Luke 1:26-33, Joshua 24:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Very Early In The Morning, Hope Woke Up With The Sun

Contributed by Duane Wente on Apr 18, 2025

The resurrection of Jesus did not wait for the noise of the world—it happened quietly, powerfully, and full of promise... very early in the morning. (A Sunrise Sermon)

### **Introduction:** Good morning! Look around. We are standing in a place of graves. A place of sorrow. A place of mourning… And yet, here we are this morning, greeting the dawn. We are in a place of endings, but watching a beginning. Scripture tells us that very early in the morning, much ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Goal Of Christian Life Series

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Jan 24, 2025

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

Philipians 3: 13-14 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational