Sermons on Surprise:

Why Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 26, 2008

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 13:1-19

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

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

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

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

"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

Blameless In God's Sight

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 14, 2011

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is really a letter of encouragement written to remind believers of their immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ, and not only to be thankful for these blessings but to live in a manner worthy of them.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus known as Ephesians was written while he was imprisoned in Rome approximately 30 years after Jesus Christ walked this earth. It is known as one of Paul’s prison epistles, along with Philippians, Colossians and Philemon. Ephesus was a very wealthy ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Christian Church

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

The Battle Of Gog And Magog Series

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Feb 11, 2010

THE BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG WILL IONDICATE TO US THE TIME FRAME FOR THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IS EXTREMELY CLOSE.

THE BATTLE OF GOG AND MAGOG EZEKIEL 38-39 INTRODUCTION: OUR WORLD IS NO STRANGER TO WAR. HISTORY TELLS US THAT IN ALL OF RECORDED HISTORY THERE HAS BEEN LESS THAT 225 YEARS OF PEACE IN THIS WORLD. IN THE PAST THIRTY TO FORTY YEARS, MOST OF THE WORLDS WARS HAVE BEEN LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE EAST ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Hope In The Face Of Death Series

Contributed by Daniel Devilder on Dec 1, 2006

First in a four part series on how Jesus revealed his promise of Jesus. The series leads up to Christmas. Today’s is on the gravity of our sin, and yet the giving of God’s hope and promise even then

Jesus: God’s Promise of Hope for a World in Need Hope in the Face of Death Introduction “I don’t like the idea of being picked as a number.” "It began with a syringe in my arm," he said, [In-between] was a special meal of his choice two steaks, a baked potato, salad, bread, apple pie, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Time To Preach Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 21, 2012

As much excitement healing stirs up, Jesus says what really characterizes his ministry - preaching.

Introduction Jesus’ ministry has gotten off to a great start. Really, what more could you want if you are trying to make a name for yourself? In one day he has become a phenomenon through his preaching and especially through his miracle healings and exorcisms. He has a nice centralized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:35-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Want To Be Forever Great?

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Oct 28, 2012

Want to Be Forever Great? 1) Be eager to serve; 2) Be ready to suffer.

A twelve-year-old won a backstage pass to meet her favorite vocalist. As she was shaking hands with the pop star the fan blurted: “I would give anything to sing like you!” “Anything?” the star answered while wiping the sweat of her performance from her eyes. “Would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Lutheran

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

Dealing With Failure Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 21, 2010

We can recover from failure as David did when he sinned with Bathsheba

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • One of the most frustrating parts of life can be dealing with failure, succumbing to sin. • Failure can be especially hard to deal with if you have not dealt with a lot of failure in your life. • The biggest failure in life usually has to do with walking down a path of sin ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ