Sermons on Surprised:

The Father's Gift Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2017

Welcome Christ into your life and accept life instead of death; accept justification instead of judgment; accept power instead of bondage; and accept righteousness instead of sin.

Matt Woodly, a father of four, talks about buying his children a swing set, several years ago, as an early Christmas present. It was an extra long metal set with two swings, a two-seater swinging bench, a slide, monkey bars, and a series of hanging rings. He thought the time invested in putting it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

How Do I Keep From Getting Down? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Larry King was famous for interviewing the biggest celebrities just a few decades ago. But King was interviewed on a New York City radio program was asked, “Larry, if you could meet God and ask Him one question, what would it be?” Larry King, who was a Jew, said, “Do you have a son?”

Today, I want to speak to you about “How Do I Keep from Getting Down.” We are moving verse by verse and sentence by sentence through the New Testament letter of Colossians together. Here are some key background facts to better understand Colossians. You can move through the four chapters of this ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting God Even When We Don't Understand Him Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Today is third installment in our series and we arrive at high point of the story – the place where God breaks His silence and speaks from Heaven.

Job is one of the most unique stories you’ll hear – not just inside the Bible but anywhere. Today is third installment in our series and we arrive at highpoint of the story – the place where God breaks His silence and speaks from Heaven. Job is the story of man named Job, a man whose character was ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Story Of A Dishonest Man Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Have You Ever Been Fired? Don’t raise your hand, but have you ever been fired from a job? Did you know it was coming, that feeling in your stomach?

Jesus tells a most peculiar parable in His day, the Story of a Dishonest Man. It’s is widely considered one of the most difficult parables – if not the most difficult – to understand. And it’s not hard to see why. Jesus’ story got me thinking about a pastor I read about who misled a church out in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Words Of Love Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 26, 2021

No words can describe the depth to which man had fallen in killing the only perfect man whoever lived. But there are no words of cursing coming from that cross. There are no words of revenge, but unbelievably we hear words of love.

The one subject that is appropriate for every Christian holiday, and for the season of lent, and for the recognition of Washington and Lincoln, and for the Valentine season is the subject of love. It is not only the greatest of the Christian virtues, but is the most universally relevant subject ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-35

Descent Of The Dove Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 27, 2021

Jesus was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. It was fitting that He take this step of obedience and become an illustration of what all believers are to do.

What a surprise it would be to see a fish climbing a tree. Yet such a sight is possible because of the climbing perch of India. These three to eight inch fish have movable spines on their gills, and by thrusting with their tails and front fins they can scoot up a slanting tree by the water and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-13

Unafraid - God Has Heard Your Prayer Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

This is the first in a Christmas series that examines the several "Fear Not" commands given throughout the Christmas story. This is the story of Zechariah.

(Song - "Fear No More" - Building 249) That might be you this morning. You didn’t choose to be situated quite like you are this morning. Things haven’t turned out just like you’d hoped. And here you are. If the future is anything like much of the past, it’s looking pretty scary. But ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Palm Sunday Or "the Science Of Worship"

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 4, 2020

A sermon for Palm Sunday 2020 exploring how being in Corona Virus Lockdown may mean we have to reinvent worship but does not mean we have to stop it - and how that worship can actually be good for us and lift our spirits.

........................................................................ 2500 year ago a bunch of refugees were living in squalour in camps in what is now Iraq. They had been forcibly deported against their will by the Babylonian Empire - much the same as Stalin forcibly deported Cossacks from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Psalm 137:1-4, John 12:9-19, Luke 19:28-44, Mark 11:1-11, Psalm 118:25, Acts 16:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Sermon 1 - One Anothering - Relationships God's Way Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 7, 2022

Real community is hard to find, but the church should be a place where people can find real community. The command to love one another is the most basic and yet the most all-encompassing of the one another commands. The other one another commands are the practical demonstration of love one another.

A. The story is told of a farm boy who accidentally overturned his wagonload of hay on the road. 1. A neighbor came over to give him a hand. 2. “Hey, Willis,” the neighbor said, “It’s dinner time, forget your troubles for a while and come and have dinner with us. Then we can come back and I’ll ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, John 13:34-35, 1 Corinthians 12:31, Ephesians 4:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Importance Of A Witness

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Jan 24, 2021

Looks at the witness of the woman at the well.

The Importance of a Witness - Read John 4:39-42 This past week I got a call from some men I’ve worked with in Orlando, about some appliances they had available. They said, “Gene, we’re tempting a warehouse over here on Lee Road, and we have a number of appliances, some of just about everything. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:39-42

Denomination: Baptist

Be A Barnabas - Be A Bridge Builder

Contributed by Dr. Fred W. Penney on Jul 5, 2021

a narrative message about the ministry of Barnabas - and how we can all be a Barnabas!

“Be a Barnabas - be a Bridge Builder.” Subject; What role did Barnabas play in the ministry of the early church? Complement: he reached out and recruited Saul and partnered with him in the mission. Preaching idea: Be a Barnabas! Text: Acts 11:19-26 19 Now those who had been scattered by the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26, Acts 13:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Encourage One Another Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 23, 2023

We all need encouragement and encouragement is one of the most important things we can do for each other. Let's learn to encourage each other by our faithful lives, our presence, and our words.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a man who opened his front door one morning to get his newspaper and was surprised to see a strange dog with his newspaper in his mouth. 1. Delighted with his unexpected “delivery service,” the man gave the dog a treat. 2. The following morning the man opened ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-14, Hebrews 10:25, Ephesians 4:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Dennis Fox on Jul 28, 2022

The Good Shepherd protects the sheep from the wolves. Wolves are always circling the flock, just waiting for their chance. Are you willing to stand with the Shepard? Are you willing to be a sheepdog?

Good Shepherd 25 Apr 2021 Richardson I read an article about a band of killers and thieves roaming the Iraqi countryside. As if this country hasn’t had enough problems, now they have these gangs stealing sheep and attacking shepherds. These killers work in well trained teams with each member ...read more

Scripture: John 10:12-13, Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Other

Worthless Clouds Without Water Carried By The Changing Winds –jude 1 Verse 12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Jude continues his description of the false teachers using metaphors to describe them. This follow on from hidden reefs and we now have empty clouds without water, useless in promise and leaving bitter failure. Many people are left hurt, and without hope, and fleeced and betrayed.

WORTHLESS CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER CARRIED BY THE CHANGING WINDS –Jude 1 verse 12 In our last message we were looking at these false teachers Jude was battling when he urged his readers to contend for the faith. They had to be positive, and a lazy and don’t care less approach would achieve nothing. ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, Ezekiel 34:1-8, Zechariah 11:15-17, Acts 20:28-30, Deuteronomy 32:9-10, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Corinthians 12:25, Ephesians 4:14, John 4:13-15, John 7:37-38, Hebrews 10:22, James 3:11-12, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Have Real Hope Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 16, 2022

Looking for, longing for and living for the promised return of Jesus gives real hope.

NOTE: This is a manuscript, and not a transcript of this message. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is possible, and even likely that there is material in this manuscript that was not included in the live ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Baptist