Sermons on Surprise:

"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

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 Ultimate Authority PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon explores Jesus' authority and power over chaos and evil, emphasizing our reliance on God's grace throughout our Christian journey.

Beloved friends, it is a joy to gather once again in the house of the Lord. We find ourselves here today, not by chance, but by divine appointment. We are drawn together by the love of Christ, bound by the fellowship of faith, and driven by the desire to know and understand the Word of God more ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

Topics: Jesus, God

The Man Who Liked Change

Contributed by Jonathan Russell on Jul 2, 2007

Examining Naaman’s life and his desire for God to do a miracle in his life

Note three aspects of Naaman’s life: 1. BEFORE the change (v. 1-13) A. We must admit that there’s a problem (v. 1-4) B. We must go to the right person (v. 5-7) C. We must have faith (v. 7) D. We must understand that the way to change may surprise us (v. 8-12) E. We must learn that little things ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lord, Are You Going To Wash My Feet?

Contributed by Blessed Amonoo on Apr 5, 2019

When was the last time you decided to serve the less privileged at the expense of receiving service from them?

Peter was surprised to see his Lord and Master coming too low to his level to the extent of washing his feet. He tried to resist him but Jesus said you are not part of me if I don't wash your feet. This is a perfect example Christ has laid down for us; no matter your status in life you are to ...read more

Scripture: John 13:6-7, John 14:14-15

Denomination: Pentecostal

Riding The Waves Of Life

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The stilling of the storm on Galilee is a parable demonstrating that life is a roller-coaster experience but with Jesus in command allis well, requiring us to repond in faith.

RIDING THE WAVES OF LIFE I once heard a minister use a memorable phrase in his prayer and it stays with me: it was "our short and uncertain earthly life and pilgrimage". Life is uncertain. This is true for the Christian as well, as we don’t live in some magic or charmed circle just because we’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Triumphant King Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 28, 2002

The triumphal entry, leading to the question of whether or not we will let Jesus be King in our lives

Jesus the Triumphant King – “Portraits of Christ” series Luke 19:28-44 – March 23/24, 2002 Intro: This Sunday night, hundreds of Hollywood “stars” will gather for the Academy Awards. Very few will “slip in the back door:” instead, they make an entrance. They will walk down the long red carpet, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Baptist

Emptying The Closets Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jul 15, 2007

Regarding sin, the Ephesians went through a significant turning point. Just like the Ephesians, it is important to break the sin cycle by changing your mind and turning around.

Emptying the closets Ephesus - Year 2 Acts 19.11-20 Sin will stifle your growth and hold you back as a Christian. It will stunt your faith. Regarding sin, the Ephesians went through a significant turning point. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:11-20

Denomination: Mennonite

Family Resemblance

Contributed by Doug Lyon on Jul 23, 2006

Our position in the family of God produces three results.

Shiloh Bible Church 1 John 3:1-3 Family Resemblance Introduction Last Sunday morning we had a child dedication here at Shiloh. Rick and Stephanie Hill dedicated their daughter Kayla. George and Allison Flick dedicated their daughter Hanna. And Lance and Nikki Seesholtz dedicated their son Eli. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ladder

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jan 15, 2012

The experience of Jacob at Bethel, and what it can mean today -- God still extends his staircase down to us at unexpected times.

The story of Jacob and his brother Esau is a tangled one, filled with deceit, intrigue and animosity. Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a pot of stew. Jacob then deceived their father and got him to bless him as the ruler and chief heir of the family. So tensions ran high ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22

Denomination: Methodist

On The Road

Contributed by Bill Butsko on May 16, 2011

As we walk the road of life, there will be times when our heart is heavy and our hope will seem to have vanished.

Text: “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:13). The same day referred to in this Scripture is the day of the Resurrection. The week prior to the Resurrection was filled with excitement because of the Passover ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Christian Church

All In The Family Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 5, 2010

If we want to create an atmosphere in our homes and in our churches where people want to pursue purity and follow Christ from their hearts, then we must begin with a blessing and not lay down the law.

After Helene Talbert of Wahpeton, North Dakota, completed her first semester at a Christian college, she had a lot to tell her family. Just before the end of the semester, they had an open house in her dorm – one of the few times men are allowed in the women’s rooms. When her family came to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Living In A Lion’s Den Without Being Eaten

Contributed by John Gaston on Sep 30, 2014

Many times we are attacked. We see 5 characteristics about Daniel that, when the lions came to eat him, were the things responsible for keeping him from being devoured.

LIVING IN A LION’S DEN WITHOUT BEING EATEN Dan. 6:1-24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: HELPING OUT 1. We all love it when other drivers blow their horns at us. It can really test your Christianity! I remember the story of… 2. Sandra, while out driving her car, stopped to obey a red light ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Mary's Side Of The Story

Contributed by Wayne Lawson on Dec 5, 2017

I wonder, how does Mary’s story speak to you this Advent season? In a few weeks from now, Christmas Sunday would seem rather odd if we did not hear from Mary.

This is not an original sermon, points borrowed from Advent 3/C, December 17, 2006 Lynne M. Dolan (I believe the message was entitled “Nothing Impossible with God”). I have restructured the message, however; want to ensure I give proper credit. TITLE: MARY’S SIDE OF THE STORY SCRIPTURE: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Great Supper

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 17, 2022

This is certainly an interesting text. The Lord has done three things that has caused this to be a very tense moment.

He has: - Healed a man against the approval of the religious leaders. - Dealt with the guest who had a manner problem. - Corrected the host. This passage of Scripture shows us a situation that the old farmers used to have a saying for. They would have said, “The Lord had ‘cleaned their plow,’ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Denomination: Baptist