Sermons on Surprise:

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

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

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

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

On The Road With Jesus: The Leper Series

Contributed by Jamie Bogaard on Apr 4, 2019

Only one leper came back to say thank you. Why was this so important? How did he receive grace that the other 9 did not?

On the Road with Jesus: The Leper Luke 17:11-19 March 17, 2019 Last week we began our Lenten series entitled, “On the Road with Jesus”. During Jesus ministry he traveled throughout Palestine bringing a message of hope and love. Jesus most often taught in the local synagogues but he wasn’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Friends

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

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

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

An Elaboration Of The Social Test Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Aug 7, 2021

First John 3:11-18 teaches us that love is a characteristic mark of the children of God.

Scripture As a result of poor planning, Dennis, from Katy, Texas, needed some same-day dry cleaning before he left on a trip. He remembered a store on the other side of town with a huge sign: “One-Hour Dry Cleaners.” So he drove out of his way to drop off a suit. After filling out the tag, he told ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:11-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

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

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