Sermons on Surprised:

When Challenges Come Our Way, Jesus Already Has A Plan

Contributed by Neal Nybo on Apr 23, 2018

By looking at Jesus feeding the 5000, we realize Jesus already knows what he wants to do in your situation. Don’t limit the possibilities to only what you can imagine. And, remember what Jesus has done in the past and trust him for something big.

For those of us who want Jesus to be predictable, I have bad news and good news. The bad news is. Jesus is not predictable. Never has been, never will be. The good news is, he knows what he is doing and its all for the best. The disciples experienced the same kind of hopes and expectations. It ...read more

Scripture: John 6:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

No Greater Joy

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 4, 2024

Joy is something deeper than happiness. And the apostle John speaks of having no greater joy when writing the letter that we know as Third John.

Alba 11-3-2024 NO GREATER JOY III John 1-4 Have you ever been surprised by joy? Something happens when you least expect it, even in the midst of otherwise sad feelings or grief, and joy comes, at least for a moment? That feeling was expressed by William Wordsworth, one of the most renowned ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trial By Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 22, 2021

1 Peter 4:12-19 prepares us to 1) Expect suffering (1 Peter 4:12), 2) Exult in suffering (1 Peter 4:13-14), 3) Evaluate suffering (1 Peter 4:15-18), and 4) Entrust suffering to God (1 Peter 4:19).

1 Peter 4:12-19. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Other

Are You Sleeping?

Contributed by Joe Adaline on Sep 13, 2005

Sleeping can cause a lot of problems when done at the wrong time. The Christian must be disciplined to sleep at the right times and be vigilant at all times.

Did you often fall asleep in the day? Do you have a habit of nodding off and falling into a deep sleep at the drop of the hat? Are you sometimes in a daze that goes on more than one day? Don’t be alarmed, don’t be afraid, you are a lot like me. I Thessalonians is a book written to very special ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Limits Of Peace Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 21, 2007

The cross of Christ not only brings peace, but also division. When faced with opposition and division, disciples of Christ stand firm while loving and respecting their opponents.

Luke 12:49-56 “The Limits of Peace” INTRODUCTION The night sky was cloudless and filled with stars. Shepherds watched their flocks, while they huddled around a campfire. Suddenly, they were surrounded by a multitude of angels. They were told not to fear because the angels brought them good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Lutheran

Strong-Hold

Contributed by Samson Musyoki on Sep 24, 2007

YOU ARE NEVER AN ORPHAN ONCE YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A FATHER WHO IS POWERFUL AND CARING.

STRONG - HOLDS DANIEL 11:32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. A certain daughter of a senior police commissioner was reported to have assaulted a junior police officer after the traffic policeman spotted ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 11:32

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Labourers In The Vineyard

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 30, 2014

An illustration of God's new order of things.

THE LABOURERS IN THE VINEYARD. Matthew 20:1-16. This parable is part of Jesus’ response to Peter’s question: ‘Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?’ (cf. Matthew 19:27). This challenging part of the reply is framed with a formula concerning the ‘first’ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lamb Of God

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 8, 2016

Lamb of God

2A Ordinary Time The lamb alludes to the animal sacrifices by which people's sins were ceremonially purged and reconciliation with God was attained (Lev.1.1-13). e.g. A tourist who had visited a church in Norway said that he was surprised to see the carved figure of a lamb near the top of the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-34

Denomination: Catholic

7. Displeasure Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Nov 29, 2020

Jonah's displeasure was a deep despondence with God saving the Ninevites.

Chapter 4 tells us once again, Jonah is the type of person who never does anything halfhearted. If he is going to disobey as in chapter one, he's going to do a good job at it again. I. The Surprise at His Displeasure 1. It is hard to believe. Verse 1 2. We expect the world and the Devil to be ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

My Year Of Greater Expectations Series

Contributed by Rudolf E. Y. Mensah on Jan 2, 2022

There is no need for humanity that God cannot meet.

OASIS WORDBANK - HEAVEN ON EARTH CONGREGATION: Oasis Potterlight Chapel International THEME: My Year Of Greater Expectations TEXT: Ephesians 3:20, KJV: "Now unto him, that can do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 1 Kings 3:5

Denomination: Charismatic

Jesus' Resurrection (Matthew 28)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Two focal points of Christianity are the resurrection and the great commission. Let's look at these in Matthew 28.

Did Jesus have some important instructions after His resurrection? Let’s find out in Matthew 28. Jesus’ Resurrection What happened early that Sunday morning? After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Just As He Said Series

Contributed by Coty Pinckney on Oct 26, 2000

Jesus was faithful to fulfill His promise to rise from the dead, thereby verifying that "heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

Just As He Said A sermon on Mark 15:40-16:8 by Coty Pinckney, Community Bible Church, Williamstown, MA 10/22/00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40 And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8, Mark 15:40-47

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Easter Means .....

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Apr 5, 2006

This sermons breaks down the meaning of Easter, using Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday illustrations.

Jesus was going on up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethpage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples into the next village and told them they would find a donkey and they were to bring that donkey back to Him so He could ride it into Jerusalem. They found the donkey ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:36-38

Denomination: *other

When We Are Called To Those Who Are Ready

Contributed by Johnny Wilson on Feb 22, 2009

Philip’s call to travel the road to Gaza doesn’t make human sense, but it reminds us to trust God when we have to go through the wilderness of life experiences.

There is a theme in American Literature, U.S. movies, and Broadway musicals where protagonists from rural areas come to the big city and make it big. Even Clark Kent has to move from the farm to Metropolis before he makes the big time as the investigative reporter who doubles as Superman. And we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: *other

Doubting Thomas Series

Contributed by Richard Pfeil on Apr 18, 2005

A biographical look at Thomas

“DOUBTING THOMAS” TEXT: JOHN 20:24-31 Sunday, February 29, 2004 We are continuing with the 12 disciples- looking at the lessons from their lives- who God picked and what God was able to do through these 12 ordinary people who are just like you and me today. Today we are talking about Thomas, or ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed