Sermons on Surprised:

Getting Life Right: No Rules, Just Right Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on May 18, 2020

The Old Testament is not a book of rules, but a guide to WHO God is, WHAT righteousness is, and HOW to bring righteousness into our lives. Jesus fulfills the law, but affirms its continuing relevance.

Getting Life Right: NO RULES. JUST RIGHT. Matthew 5:17-20 Some years ago, Outback Steakhouse had an advertising slogan: “No Rules. Just Right.” The slogan conveyed a relaxed attitude, symbolized by the lack of a set closing time posted on the door, and leaving no customer request unfulfilled. NO ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living With One Foot In Eternity

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 3, 2020

Philip is an example of a person “Living With One Foot in Eternity.” This kind of person lifts up Jesus, inspires hunger for God, is connected with the supernatural, and brings great joy to people's lives.

LIVING WITH ONE FOOT IN ETERNITY Acts 8:5-17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A boy had a heated argument with his sister about who was going to get the last brownie. Their mother overheard the fuss and decided to teach them a deeper truth. She said, "What would Jesus do?" 2. The girl ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:5-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Daniel 7: Taming The Monsters Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Sep 3, 2020

God has a plan for taking the monsters we face in the world and our personal lives. The SON OF MAN finds fulfillment in Jesus, who overcomes by the cross, resurrection, ascension, and return.

TAMING THE MONSTERS—Daniel 7 ***When our son was about six, we asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. His answer surprised us: He wanted to be monster-handler. I can only imagine the monsters he imagined in his room or under his bed, but he thought grownups would have use for a ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-28

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Thou Art Converted

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 12, 2019

This contribution is based on a message preached June 2, 2013, at the Eolia Baptist Church, Eolia, MO. This is not an exact transcription.

Thank you for giving me the privilege of sharing a message from God’s Word today. As some of you have found out, I’m originally from West Virginia but my wife is a native of Missouri, so, any questions, she can help translate for you! (audience laughed) The text for the message is from Luke’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-32

Denomination: Baptist

Unafraid Of An Unknown Future

Contributed by Lane Hastie on Jul 27, 2020

Life is filled with unknowns…and that’s never going to change. But there is a way to live life UNAFRAID OF AN UNKNOWN FUTURE. You see…in the unknown…there is Someone who can be known…Someone who desires to be known. Someone that when you know them…you can face an unknown future unafraid.

Unafraid of an Unknown Future I have always enjoyed getting in the car and going for a drive with no real plan or idea where I was going. (Logging Roads on Mount Rainier / Back Roads of The Ozarks) In fact…sometimes I have gotten in the car and purposely tried to get lost. I enjoy taking new ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Dream Bigger!

Contributed by Lane Hastie on Jul 29, 2020

We serve a God who is infinite. He is all-powerful…all-knowing…completely capable. He is a God who’s power / ability / and love…knows no limits. YET…even though we know this and often declare it…we tend to limit the power of God. We Need To Dream Bigger!

DREAM BIGGER...DON'T LIMIT GOD! Limit: to restrict, to confine, to keep within a designated area, to fence in, hold back, to bind Example: Ever seen someone using a kid leash? (the kid has limited freedom…but who’s really in control?) Limits: spending limit, speed limit, earning limit, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6, Matthew 7:7-8, James 4:2, 1 John 3:21-22, John 15:7, Proverbs 28:9, James 1:6-8, Ephesians 3:20, Psalm 78:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Jesus Is Coming Soon

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Dec 4, 2020

A reflection on how to be ready for Jesus to come as we prepare in the Advent Season.

12.9.20 Revelation 22:20 20 The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Jesus Is Coming Soon What will we give Him? Here’s a little fact you may not have known about our preschool teacher. She’s a twin. Not only that, but if I have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:20

Denomination: Lutheran

David,-The Shepherd Boy Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Nov 7, 2020

David was perhaps Israel's greatest king. He wasn't born into a royal family, and didn't meet the guidelines some might have expected of a king, but God chose him. And that was enough.

Introduction: David was a very colorful character in the Bible. From a humble beginning in life, God used him to accomplish many things, eventually becoming king over all Israel. Not every person will have a “shepherd-to-scepter” life or encounter, such as what happened to David. Every believer in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is Porn Really All That Bad? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2018

This sermon looks at five opening questions about pornography.

FIVE STARTING QUESTIONS: 1. HOW SUBSTANTIAL A PROBLEM IS PORN IN AMERICA TODAY? Three numbers: a. Porn is about a $100 billion industry in America, which is 100 times higher than revenues 20 years ago. - Note that these numbers are just “the porn industry.” That is, the legal, W-2 filing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

In Christ, I Am...chosen For God's Glory Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 17, 2018

Who are we? In Christ, we are CHOSEN FOR GOD'S GLORY. That makes us glorious, and gives meaning and purpose in our lives.

IN CHRIST, I AM…CHOSEN FOR GOD’S GLORY—Ephesians 1:1-14 (Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…) Did you hear about the woman in Iceland who spent half the night trying to find herself—literally? Her tour bus had stopped in the volcanic Eldgja region of Iceland, and she went into a rest area to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

In Christ, I Am...a Bridge Builder Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Aug 17, 2018

The church is more than a social club. Why is it difficult for some people to fit in, and how can we build bridges?

IN CHRIST, I AM…A BRIDGE-BUILDER—Ephesians 2:11-22 (Series on Ephesians: In Christ, I Am…) My wife and I retired in Texas a few months ago, and we found ourselves, for the first time in our marriage, looking for a church to call home. We were looking beyond the friendly greeters holding the door ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Makes You Happy?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Oct 16, 2019

Solomon examines the source of happiness in life.

10.20.19 Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 Are you happy? Do you enjoy your life? A part of the American dream is entwined within our Declaration of Independence where it declares, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

What Does It Mean To Be Perfect?

Contributed by Austin Lamos on Oct 31, 2019

Message on Matthew 5:43-48. What does it mean to love our enemies? What does it mean to be "perfect" as our heavenly Father is perfect?

Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV) Love for Enemies 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48

Denomination: Nazarene

All's Well That Ends Well

Contributed by Victor Yap on Feb 5, 2017

Ecclesiastes 7

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (ECCLESIASTES 7) My wife once asked me, “Do you remember the story of the swimmer who gave up when she almost completed her swimming quest?” I remembered her first name but not her last name, but I found it on the internet for her, with this story: “On August 8, 1950, at ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Master Of The Storms

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 13, 2017

Storms will come, but we need not fear; for we know the Master of the Storms! This account gives great comfort that God is always with us. He challenges us to higher faith & it's the storm that reveal Him as the all-powerful Son of God!

MASTER OF THE STORMS Mark 4:35-41 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: HONESTY IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST POLICY 1. Today is Shirley and Ben's 30th wedding anniversary. After exchanging kisses and presents, Shirley said to Ben, "I have an important question to ask you." "So ask me already," said Ben. 2. "Please ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God