Sermons on Surprised:

Wrestling With God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

This morning, I invite you to consider with me, “How do people actually have a life-changing encounter?” Is it near death experience that causes us to change? What would cause you to change?

We continue our series, My Crazy Family, the story of Jacob. Jacob is a complex character – we would say in our day, “He’s a piece of work.” Jacob’s life is a Russian nesting doll with one conflict inside conflict inside yet another, conflict. What begins as a conflict with his twin brother Esau, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

What The Bible Teaches About Heaven

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Feb 7, 2022

It is an exciting time when a married couple decides to build a house for their family.

Generally, before they take on a project like this, they study the proposed plans carefully because they want to make sure that every little detail is considered so that they will have a wonderful place to live the rest of their lives on this earth. Yes, planning a family house is exciting, but ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Gifts Of The Magi Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 28, 2021

This message focuses on the wise men and the gifts they presented to the newborn Savior. In viewing the symbolism of the gifts, we can learn more about the great plan of our Lord to save His people from their sins.

I wish to begin this morning with a prophecy of the Messiah found in Isaiah 60:1-3, and verse 6: “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 31, 2019

Love

THE POWER OF LOVE (1 JOHN 3) In Chicago a few years ago a little boy attended a Sunday school. When his parents moved to another part of the city the little fellow still attended the same Sunday school, although it meant a long, tiresome walk each way. A friend asked him why he went so far, and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Psalms: Introduction Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Apr 7, 2021

Introduction to sermon series on Psalms analyzing the Psalter through Walter Brueggemann's model of orientation-disorientation-reorientation. Uses various author's works including "The Messiah in the Psalms" by Daniel Segraves.

Psalms: Introduction The book of Psalms is widely used as devotional literature. It has been for centuries and millennia. It was the liturgical songbook of Israel. It was the first hymnal of the first church. The psalter is such a part of Western culture that Psalm 23 finds itself in the rap ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fiery Trials

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Mar 7, 2021

‘Fiery Trials’ 1 Peter chapter 4 verses 12-19 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: Expect ordeals (vs 12) Rejoice in suffering (vs 13-14) Examine your life (vs 15-18) Commit yourself to God (vs 19) SERMON BODY: Ill: • Persecution of Christians around the world has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, • With many Christians being refused help and aid in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Brethren

Deborah The Delightful Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

The record of Deborah is in the Bible because God inspired it to be there. It was real history, and God ordained history. It is there for an example of how God uses women as well as men in the highest roles of leadership.

I have enjoyed war stories and war heroes since I was a small boy watching the news on the movies screen in the local theater. I never realized, however, that not all of the heroes were men. I heard of Joan of Arc when I got into the upper grades of school, but I never had the concept of the ...read more

Don't Just Do Something - Sit There

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jan 12, 2021

Sometimes we need to get alone, be still, and listen to God. Then other times we need to put ACTION to our prayers.

If I asked you what your favorite part of the Sunday morning worship is, I would probably get answers like, “I like the song service, I like the special music, I like the prayer time, and so on. One pastor actually asked some of his congregation that question and one person said it was the prelude ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:28-38

Denomination: Baptist

A Faithful Plan For Fallen People (#2 In Preaching Through The Bible In A Year) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jan 11, 2023

God planned it all before the fall.

This morning, I want us to look back at Genesis 3-8. We are going to look at how sin came into the world, but even more importantly, we are going to look at how God already had a plan to deal with our sin. And we are going to see how God illustrated that plan over and over, just in this first week ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Kingdom Greatness

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jul 18, 2024

“Whoever humbles themselves like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”. It is giving up claims to power and status and knowing one’s total dependence on God that counts as greatness in the kingdom of heaven.

Sermon: The Path to Kingdom Greatness Scripture: Matthew 18:1-11 “About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-11, Matthew 10:40-42, Matthew 25:34-46, Micah 6:6-8, 1 Corinthians 8:9-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Seizing The Opportunity Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Aug 31, 2022

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar, theologian, or pastor to share the Gospel with people.

SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY Text: Acts 3:12-26 Introduction 1. Illustration: “There is a big difference in seeing an opportunity and seizing an opportunity” – Jim Moore 2. Last week we talked about expecting opportunities to share the Gospel. Today we are going to talk about how to seize those ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:12-26

Denomination: Methodist

Pits & Wells

Contributed by Tj Long Jr on Oct 13, 2023

Many of the things that we think will fill us up are indeed pits that drain us. We should seek after wells that have Living Water. In the midst of internal strife in the church at Philippi, Paul shows us how to seek the things that are lovely while I'll give you steps to reduce the negativity.

“Pits & Wells” (Title Slide) [Slides are available upon request, these cues denotes where slides are shown/used.] It’s a common narrative to think that most of the news that you see on TV is bad news. Well, that’s not only a common viewpoint, it’s backed up by statistics. Studies show that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

All For One Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 28, 2022

Jesus gave all he was, all he had, for each one of us.

Anybody here remember Alice Cooper? No, she didn’t used to attend this church. As a matter of fact, she isn’t even a she. Alice Cooper is a man. He’s a rock star from the early seventies, the first "shock rock" act. I suppose you could call him an early Marilyn Manson. He used to parade ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dream Come True

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 19, 2023

We dream small, but God dreams big. Mary’s dream was a small one, limited by her time and place and circumstances. Yet when God called her, she became a part of the greatest event the world has ever known.

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “American Dream”? All of us here are immigrants, one way or another.... Some have been here for two or three hundred years - or more! I think some of mine came in the 17th century. What did your ancestors come here for? Was it for religious freedom, or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Miraculous Healing Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Mar 1, 2024

Acts 3:1-10 shows us what Jesus did by a miraculous healing.

Introduction Jim Jones was the founder of the Peoples Temple, a religious movement that began as a progressive and racially integrated community in Indiana. Eventually, Jones and his church moved to San Francisco, CA. However, as Jones's influence grew, the group became increasingly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 13:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed