Sermons on Surprise:

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

Inspiring Purity Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 23, 2020

If you want to encourage people pursue purity and follow Christ, begin with a blessing; don’t 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

Scripture: Genesis 27:46, Genesis 28:1-9, Romans 2:4, Romans 5:20, Romans 7:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

When We All Get To Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 30, 2022

Today I want to talk to you about that wonderful place called Heaven that that we find in the scriptures.

Heaven has inspired - • Much of the poetry we read and enjoy • Many of the artists to paint the pictures they have painted • Many of the hymn writers to write the beautiful hymns we sing • Many of the preachers to preach great sermons on heaven We Christians sing and talk about Heaven a great ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

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

Questioning God

Contributed by Roddy Chestnut on Oct 18, 2000

Thesis: It is o.

Thesis: It is o.k. to question God, just don't get stuck there. Intro.: 1. Illust. There's an old story about a Jewish tailor named Lev Ashram who goes to a synagogue to pray. On his way out he meets a rabbi. "Well, what have you been doing in the synagogue, Lev Ashram?" the rabbi asks. "I was ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-18

You Are What You Speak

Contributed by Bob Ashcraft on Mar 3, 2002

You have probably heard the expression "you are what you eat." A more precise saying is "You are what you speak." The words that come from our mouth yield much greater power than we realize.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU SPEAK  You have probably heard the expression "you are what you eat."  A more precise saying is "You are what you speak."  The words that come from our mouth yield much greater power than we realize  Prov 18:21 Death and life are in the power of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:43-45, Matthew 15:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Prince Of Peace

Contributed by Dan Buis on Feb 25, 2001

God’s peace is granted to us through His Son

When I was a young boy growing up we had a family tradition of collecting all our Christmas cards and hanging them on the wall. Of course at that point in my life the most important Christmas tradition was the tree and the presents. But the second strongest childhood memory of Christmas was the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Power Of God In Our Lives”

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Mar 25, 2005

Only under God’s power are we going to be able to make significant strides

“The Power of God in our Lives” 1st Chronicles 13:14 INTRODUCTION: Today’s message needs a little set up, so that you all will understand what is going on in this text. David, the great king of Israel wanted to go and retrieve the Ark of the Covenant which represented the very presence and power ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:14, 1 Chronicles 16:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Memorial For Brittany Nicole

Contributed by Bobby Mcdaniel on Oct 31, 2006

A funeral service for a stillborn twin.

Based in part on sermons by Rev. John Hamby and Rev. Robert Marsh References: 2 Cor. 5:6-8 Psalm 139:13-18 Psalm 23 (International Children’s Bible) 1. Introduction a. Today is a day of mixed emotions, a day when we ask difficult questions that Noe and Barbara have probably been asking ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

When The Body Moves The Funerals Over

Contributed by Bob Hager on Mar 30, 2002

The resurrection is a past event with continuing effects on the present and future.

A letter came from Health and Human Services to a resident of Greenville County, South Carolina: "Your food stamps will be stopped, effective March 1992, because we received notice that you passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if your circumstances change." In a business meeting we were ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

Service Leads To The Throne

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Apr 29, 2002

A Sermon for the Ascension Season.

I`d like to begin with a story this morning, the story of a man called Peter. Peter loved Mary very much indeed. He was always telling her that he loved her - always showing her in lots of little ways. In many ways he was a model husband....... ..........not perfect, of course, but generally ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

God's Future Glory

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Sep 27, 2006

The prophet Isaiah in the concluding part of his prophecy looks forward to that time when God’s glory will be fully revealed

Last week we looked at the opening verses of Isaiah chapter 60, Arise shine, for your light has come. We thought of the light having been switched on, and when the light is on, there can be no darkness. God’s lory in Jesus has pushed the darkness back. Then, All assemble and come to you. The glory ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:9-22

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Thanksgiving Is Thanksliving

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Sep 29, 2006

Life’s meaning and purpose is intricately connected with giving thanks.

Sermon for Thanksgiving Sunday Yr B, 8/10/2006 Based on Joel 2:21-27; Ps 126 & 1 Tim 2:1-7 By Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, & Chaplain of The Good Samaritan Society’s South Ridge Village, Medicine Hat, Alberta “Thanksgiving is Thanksliving” Mrs. Avondale was walking ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:21-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Streams In The Desert Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Feb 19, 2005

God touches our lives with refreshing streams in the midst of our difficult times.

GOD, WATER AND LIFE SEPTEMBER 20, 2004 Isaiah 35:1-7 “Streams in the Desert” INTRODUCTION One of the harshest truths that we ever learn is that suffering and difficult times is a part of life. No one can go through life without experiencing suffering in some shape or form. The once popular ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Palm Sunday - All The Way

Contributed by Joseph Neil Adams on Feb 22, 2008

Everybody that first Palm Sunday misunderstood what was going on. Will we see the real Jesus or go along with the crowd & see Jesus like the latest political hero?

Palm Sunday - All the way John 12: 12 - 19 Obviously when you made your way here today you knew that we would be thinking about Palm Sunday, so it is no surprise that our reading retells the story of that amazing day. I chose to focus though on John’s story because of the text we have today ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Methodist