Sermons on Surprise:

God's First Words About Christmas

Contributed by Kenneth Roberts on Mar 20, 2008

The first words about God’s promise of Christmas happened immediately after the fall. After God learned about the terrible loss, he promised to Eve that good news was coming. From her would come a male offspring who would crush the head of Satan who jus

Grace and peace to you from God who comes to us at Christmas time and will come to us again. Amen. Dear Friends in Christ: Have you ever feared you might miss Christmas? Or maybe have you experienced Christmas without your family? Perhaps you are experiencing a Christmas like that tonight. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15

Denomination: Lutheran

Fate, Failure And Fig Trees (And Why Bad Things Happen To Good People)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 17, 2007

It’s the age-old theological question - why do bad things happen to good people? Jesus, as ever, doesn’t give us the response we expect.

They say that philosophy deals with two sorts of questions: * Questions to which everybody knows the answer (eg. Do I really exist?). * Questions to which nobody knows the answer (eg. Why do I exist?). Religious teachers tend to deal the same sorts of questions, perhaps particularly questions ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

He Still Moves Stones

Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 12, 2009

God can do for you what you thought was impossible.

HE STILL MOVES STONES Matthew 28.1-10 S: Resurrection C: Impossible situations Pr: GOD CAN DO FOR YOU WHAT YOU THINK IS IMPOSSIBLE. I. WOMEN! II. STONED! III. ANGELS! IV. JESUS! PA: How is the change to be observed? • Come to these realizations… o God can move stones for you. o God can do for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Invest In Eternity

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 11, 2008

Are you concerned with earthly possessions or heavenly treasures, with temporary goods or eternal rewards, with self or with people? Be wise and invest in eternity.

A man has his priorities wrong and Jesus had to tell him this parable to address it. You can be doing nothing wrong and yet not be right. • The farmer wasn’t doing anything sinful but he was not doing it right. • He is hardworking, and probably smart, seeing the way he organises his farm. • He is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"Steadfastness": Our Pursuit For Our Growth Part 5 Series

Contributed by Eyriche Cortez on Sep 7, 2010

Let us conquer life’s challenges through the right commitments, adding steadfastness to self-control.

Have you ever expressed your belief in a loving way but to your dismay your friends still accused you of being biased or opinionated? Or, you made a stand about an issue in your company and yet you end up being ridiculed for what you stood for even if your stance was actually right? Or, you tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Our Faithful God

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Jun 27, 2009

In the midst of hardship, remember to call to mind the goodness and faithfulness of God. Ponder what God has done for you and can do for you. He has not changed. Trust Him.

Jeremiah penned down his grief after his nation and city Jerusalem fell to Babylon in 586 BC. • He expresses his sorrows over 5 laments in this book. The people suffered because they have sinned against God and rejected Him. • God is faithful. If the people would learn their lesson, repent and ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It Happened That Day!

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Apr 3, 2010

Easter, Mary Magdalene and her encunter with the Risen Christ, how do we encounter him?

Surprise, was this the main emotion on that Sunday morning? Mary a woman from the town of Magdala, This woman who owed her current reality to this man, this Jesus of Nazareth, the man who had freed her from seven demons, the brokenness and control that they had had over her life, she had been ...read more

Scripture: John 20:10-18

Denomination: Salvation Army

Joyride - Pt. 1 - Running On E Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 3, 2013

We have the right to pursue happiness. However, we soon discover that happiness is fleeting. Joy is better, but how do you find, obtain and keep it?

Joyride - Pt. 1 – Running on E I. Introduction Life is a series of ups and a series of downs. Cycles that loop. Turns and shifts that sling us in a different direction than we anticipated. Our life often feels much like an amusement ride! And not the kiddy ones. The white knuckle, scream ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sun Stand Still Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Mar 30, 2015

Consider Joshua's motivation - pray boldly to see that God's will is done. Consider his commitment - work hard to see that God's work is finished.

Joshua made an audacious prayer. It was a prayer for the impossible. The fact that he even thought of it surprises everyone. • Today we want to look at his motivation behind that prayer, and his commitment to fulfilling God’s will. The chapter opens with 5 opposing Amorite armies ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 10:5-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

#holyones Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Nov 16, 2014

Jude speaks about the coming Judgment and how it's only by God's mercy that we are considered saints, or holy ones.

“Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in Lord I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in.” Do you know what that song is about? Here’s a clue: it wasn’t originally a pep song for sports teams called the “Saints.” ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Father Abraham

Contributed by Kimberly Belken on Aug 23, 2020

The faith of Abraham made him righteous. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our faith makes us righteous and leads us to trust in God and God's promises. We never know what these promises will mean for us, but we can know that God works them together for our good.

Father Abraham had many sons And many sons had Father Abraham I am one of them And so are you So, let’s all praise the Lord I know our Sunday School kids know that song and perhaps some of you do as well. In fact, it is probably the most well-known song and story about the great patriarch Abraham ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6, Luke 3:8, Romans 4:13-25

Denomination: Lutheran

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

"Advent I: A Time To Watch And Prepare”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Nov 23, 2021

"Are you ready for Christmas? A crazy question when you haven’t even finished the Turkey and pumpkin pie. If dire warnings about a “supply chain” problem has caused worry, and fear, then why have the words of Jesus “Watch! Be Ready!” not caused the same concern?

In Jesus Holy Name November 28, 2021 Text: Luke 21:25-27 Advent I Redeemer “Advent: A Time to Watch and Prepare” Today, is the first Sunday in Advent. Here’s the question: "Are you ready for Christmas? I know it is probably a crazy question when you haven’t even ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Job Versus Solomon

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Sep 15, 2012

To focus on the wisdom of Job, even while comparing it with that of King Solomon

JOB VERSUS SOLOMON The phrase “Patience of Job” is not so much inked as engraved not only in the chronicles of English literature but also in the minds of every Bible student. Whenever our mind zeroes in on this great hero of faith, it is his perseverance and ...read more

Scripture: Job 28:28

Denomination: *other