Sermons on Surprised:

Look Who's In The Family Tree

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 17, 2001

Five unexpected women in the genealogy of Christ, speak of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Look Who Is In the Family Tree! Matthew 1:1-17 Introduction: Whenever anyone begins to study their family’s lineage and history, they are usually warned that they might find out things they weren’t expecting. They might find out that their great great uncle was a horse thief or that one of their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Church Family Matters PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 20, 2023

This sermon explores the concept of the church as a spiritual family, bound by faith and love, and guides believers on living as God's household.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather here today beneath the warm embrace of our Father's love, let us turn our hearts and minds towards the sacred scriptures, towards the living word of God. We stand on the cusp of a profound biblical understanding, ready to open our hearts to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:15

Topics: Family

Breakthrough PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2023

This sermon explores overcoming personal barriers through faith and the transformative power of scripture in guiding us towards our God-given destiny.

Good morning, dear friends. We gather here today, hearts hopeful, spirits lifted, ready to hear God's word. We're going to spend some time in Luke 5:19. It's a passage that's simple, yet powerful. Let me read it for you, "And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:19

Topics: Breakthrough

Weaker Vessel

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

When we find ourselves in a position where we disagree with other Christians, it’s good to remember that God has given us room to disagree but not condemn and help for how to handle our differing opinions.

Opening illustration: When students from Southeast Asia met a teacher from North America, the visiting instructor learned a lesson. After giving his class their first multiple-choice test, he was surprised to find many questions left unanswered. While handing back the corrected papers, he suggested ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Victorious In A Foreign Land (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 30, 2021

Regardless of who we are, or where we live, we all face seasons of comfort and ease countered by seasons of trials and difficulty. There is one constant in life regardless of the season we must face – the presence and help of the Lord.

Victorious in a Foreign Land (Part 1) Esther 9: 1-19 The emotional roller coaster for Esther, Mordecai, and the Jews within the kingdom of Persian continues. They have experienced a series of highs and lows. It seems as if they really didn’t have time to enjoy a victory before being confronted ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

We Have A Hope

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Mar 12, 2022

The Apostle Paul gives us godly hope for our faithful christian lives. He tells us that God will bring back those who sleep in Jesus Christ.

We have a Hope But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no Hope. - I Thessalonians 4:13 When Jenny was five, she asked her mother, “Does heaven have a floor?” Surprised, her mother said, “Well, Jenny, what do you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Exposition Of 1 Peter, Part 7: Obeying The Truth

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 13, 2021

Never underestimate the power of true love.

1 Peter 1:22-25 Introduction As we have seen, Peter is concerned how the believers should conduct their lives in a world that was becoming increasingly hostile to Christians. Peter emphasizes the conduct of individual believers as well as the conduct of the church as a whole. He also emphasizes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Scattered Blessings

Contributed by Michael Bierdeman on Jan 22, 2022

There are blessings of God scattered all around our lives if we would only open our eyes and see God's perspective for us...

Proverbs 11:24-27 'There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: And he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: But ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24-27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Reading The Christmas Story Again For The First Time

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 22, 2018

What does the Christmas story sound like, if we could hear it again for the first time? Whom would we identify with in the story? What would our response be?

[Sermon preached on 25 December 2017, Christmas Day] Amal is a young man from Syria. He has come to Finland as an asylum seeker. Back in Syria, the authorities are after his life because he has offended the Prophet Muhamad. There is no way he could return and survive. Amal still considers himself ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Lutheran

God See's Different

Contributed by Jung Lee on Jan 15, 2024

In 1 Samuel 16, the Bible tells us, 'People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.' This simple line is so powerful. It reminds us that what truly matters is not how we look on the outside but what's in our hearts.

Today, I want us to think about the world around us. It's very different from the world we read about in the Bible. In our time, influenced by media and the internet, there's a big focus on looking good and staying healthy. Social media, TV, and other media often set high standards for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Tested In The Wilderness Premium Sermon

Contributed by PRO Premium on Oct 8, 2023

This sermon explores how Jesus resisted Satan's temptations in the wilderness by relying on scripture and faith in God, serving as a model for us to stand firm in our faith during our own challenging times.

Today we begin a new 4-week series called Wilderness: Growing Off the Grid. You may be surprised to learn that the Bible speaks both fondly and extensively about the off-grid-wilderness experience of people like Jesus, the Israelites, Hosea, and many others. You can find evidence of the wilderness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Topics: Temptation, Faithfulness, Scriptural Truth

Sermon Series: Wilderness

Gaining Christ's Gratitude

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 13, 2002

I’ve never thought of God as being "grateful" for me, but the intriguing thing is - He is grateful, but only when we meet certain expectations. What are they?

One soldier stationed on an island of the Philippines during WW II told this story: “Although the region was secure, sometimes the enemy tried to infiltrate our food storage area. One such adversary, dressed in GI clothing, once worked himself into the noontime chow line. Our camp cook spotted ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More Than Words

Contributed by Jonathan Busch on Aug 18, 2002

“Christianity is more than something said, it is something that is marked by miraculous power”

"More than Words" Text: 2 Cor 4:20 Intro: This morning I would like to bring you a message entitled “More than Words…” Illus: A woman went to the doctors office, where she was seen by one of the new doctors, but after about 4 minutes in the examination room, she burst out, screaming as she ran ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Run,run, Run!

Contributed by William Neel on Jan 23, 2003

God wants us to run the race of faith to victory

RUN, RUN, RUN! Hebrews 12:1-3 INTRODUCTION I don’t know who the author of Hebrews is, but I think that he would be right at home in front of a big screen television watching the Superbowl next Sunday, that is if he had not already purchased tickets. Why? Take a look at the first few verses of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

It's About Integrity

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Apr 12, 2005

Integrity is not what we do. Integrity is who we are.

It’s About Integrity Matthew 27:11-26 April 10, 2005 You are going to think that I made this up, but I promise you that this is a true story. A few years ago, I got a phone call from the father of a fourteen year old boy. He was the father of one of my son’s friends and thought that I should ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:11-26

Denomination: Methodist