Sermons on Surprised:

Taking Laughter Seriously Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 6, 2021

Drain your life of humor, and it is like draining your car of oil. You will not get far before you lose power and lock up the engine. Laughter keeps the engine of life running smooth. It allows us to keep making progress down the road to God's goals.

Tom Mullen begins his book, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences with this story. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. When no one answered their knocks, they tried ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Living Stones Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2021

If you want to overcome your fear of introducing people to Jesus, KNOW that you are part of God’s holy temple and God’s special people, designed to be a living display of His greatness. Then BE the witness God has called you to be.

The abbot of a monastery called a novice into his office and instructed him to give the homily at the next morning's chapel. The novice was struck with fear. The next morning, chapel came. He stood in the pulpit. The brothers were there. His hands were trembling. His knees were knocking. His ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-12, Hebrews 13:15-16, Romans 12:1, Romans 15:15-16, Exodus 19:5-6, Hosea 2:23, Isaiah 43:20-21, Matthew 16:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

I Am Holy Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Apr 18, 2021

In that moment, when Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, something wonderful happened. He came down from the cross, took all His holiness and wove it into a suit of clothes and gave it to you and me. We walk around today wearing the holiness of Jesus Christ.

Pastor and author John MacArthur remembers a conversation that he once had with a well-known charismatic pastor who told MacArthur that Jesus sometimes comes into his bathroom while he’s shaving in the morning and puts his arms around him and they talk together. I love MacArthur’s incredulous ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 15:3-4, Hebrews 12:14, Isaiah 59:2, Psalm 24:3-4, Isaiah 60:10, Isaiah 57:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Jesus - The True Shepherd

Contributed by Gbemisola Fafowora on May 16, 2021

The Lord is the True Shepherd.

There is a very popular chapter in the word of God that everyone knows and recites every now and then, we always hear this chapter and most of us know this powerful chapter from our youth. We recite this chapter that is so known that we are used to it. But do we really believe it in our lives and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:11, Acts 20:28

Denomination: Pentecostal

4 Unexpected Truths To Understand Why God Allows Suffering Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Lots of people turn to this book in crisis. Recently, Vanderbilt basketball coach, Scott Drew, was asked how he is weathering such a terrible season – his team is winless in league play. The coach said that his father, also a coach, told his son to read the book of Job

Job is one of the most unique stories you’ll hear – not just inside the Bible but anywhere. It’s the story of man named Job, a man whose character was tremendously strong but suffered exceedingly. But one day Satan says to God, “The reason Job follows you is because you’re so good to him. Stop ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When The Saints Go Marching In Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Look at Isaiah 60 for what you’re seeing is a poem but it’s also a vision of a magnificent city – a transformed city. The city that Isaiah envisions is a magnetic place. It has drawing power.

Apple founder, Steve Jobs was asked to address the graduations of Stanford University just shortly before his death. He said these memorable words: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve encountered to help me make the big choices in life.” Yes, remembering I will be ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Should You Fear God? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 4, 2021

We think that grace means there’s nothing to fear in our behavior. And so the sanction of judgment has no place in our lives. But God is gracious and calls us back today to fear the behavior that leads to destruction.

I heard about a young boy that went off to one of these extremely expensive universities, and the bills were coming in monthly to these parents and they were struggling to keep their head above water. One day his mother received a letter from him and he said: “Dear Mom, I’m writing to inform you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Lust Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

You can be Joseph. The Holy Spirit in you empowers you to transform your sexual appetite. You may have walked here more like Potiphar’s wife but you can leave like Joseph.

Next series up for us is Abraham. This morning is one more special morning for our church for we bury a time capsule to commemorate the beginning of Cross Church’s new building. Today, we arrive at the last of 7 Deadly Sins of Family. Today, I want to speak to you about the deadly sin of lust. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

When Christ Returns Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 9, 2021

Jesus says in effect, “You can be certain I’ll return but you can’t predict when I’ll return.

This is the first sermon in a series of messages on Jesus’ vision of the last days. And it’s just in time for school to kick off both here and in Northwest ISD. What comes to mind when you think of the End of Time? Judgment, the Four Horsemen, the Antichrist, or perhaps even 666? People have an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:38-48

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherds Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 8, 2021

God’s grace rests on those who embrace His Son by faith. God makes peace through the cross of His Son. The only people who get the peace are people who grasp God’s grace.

Nothing quite says “Tis the Season” like your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie marathon! If you have never watched a Hallmark Christmas movie, then here are the essential ingredients: • A small-town Christmas festival; • Lots of Christmas decorations; • PG level of romantic flirtation; • Lots of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Meet Moses, The Defender (Exodus 2:11-25) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 25, 2021

Moses is a picture of what "justice" is, in a true OT sense.

If I asked most of you to describe your spouse, or your boss, or a friend, you'd probably give me a list of their qualities. They're funny. Smart. Organized. Stubborn. Easy going. That's how we normally think about people-- with adjectives. But a few of you, maybe, would lean ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Why I'm Not Worried

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Feb 16, 2021

Next in series in John. Examines why Christians need not be overly worried about Covid or with what's going on in our country.

John 6 (1) WHY I’M NOT WORRIED - Read John 6:1-14 The World Health Organization's China office says it began receiving reports in late December of a mysterious virus behind a number of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, a city in eastern China with a population of roughly 11 million people. Since ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Pets Are Forever

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 5, 2021

Maybe we cannot be dogmatic, but since there is nothing to forbid it, and much to imply it, there is no reason to deny it, but many reasons to affirm it that pets are forever.

Ralph Helfer is one of those famous people very few know about. He is well known to those who use his services, but they are so specialized that most of us never become aware of his uniqueness. He has entertained all of us even though we have not likely ever seen him. Ralph has supplied animal ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-9

Seven Sundays To Easter: He Loved Them To The Uttermost Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Mar 10, 2021

Jesus and the 12 Disciples celebrated Passover in the "upper room" in Jerusalem. While they were there, the Lord showed these men just how much He really loved them. Other things happened there, too.

Introduction: The apostle John was an eyewitness to many of the events he recorded in his Gospel. One of the most touching, in my opinion, is this episode that took place just hours before the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified. He knew exactly what the Lord meant, when John said the Lord loved them ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-35

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Laughter Seriously

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Solomon was right, for laughter is not enough to give life ultimate meaning. But it is, nevertheless, a vital part of the meaningful life. Solomon is himself one of the key authorities in the Bible for supporting the value of laughter.

Tom Mullen begins his book, Laughing Out Loud and Other Religious Experiences with this story. An engineer, a psychologist, and a theologian were hunting in the wilds of Northern Canada. They came across a isolated cabin, and decided to check it out. When no one answered their knocks, they tried ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11