Sermons on Surprises:

Jesus’ Final Instructions, Part 1

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 15, 2015

Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us to go to when we go to our heavenly home. Going home fulfills the longing we have for God. Only God can fulfill the emptiness of our souls.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Anglican

A Peculiar People Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 29, 2021

The Reformers made it a major issue as they stressed the priesthood of all believers, but we still have not rid ourselves of the concept that the church is clergy centered.

Under the Roman system of slavery it was possible for an ambitious slave to gain his freedom. If he had a skill and was determined to work he could hire himself from his master for so much a day, and work for himself. If he was successful, he could accumulate enough savings to buy himself from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Awakened By A Pagan Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 9, 2021

All it takes for many pagans to become children of God is a faithful prophet who will awake at their rebuke; pray for their preservation, and begin to proclaim the person of Christ.

Jonah and Paul were alike in that they were both commissioned by God as missionaries to the Gentiles, and both were alike in their desire to go to Spain. Both of them had the experience of being on a storm tossed ship with pagans. These superficial similarities, however, become material for a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:4-6

The First Easter Morning: They Remembered, They Returned, They Reported Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Jan 12, 2020

These women brought back the first news of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ--but nobody believed them!

Based on a sermon preached at Pilot Knob Baptist Church, Belle, MO, in April 2007. (This is not an exact transcription.) Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays! I never cared much for the hard boiled "Easter" eggs or anything like that—especially cleaning up the pieces of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Peace Of Mind

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 15, 2020

How to have peace of mind from 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 (adapted from Bob Russell's book, Take Comfort, chapter called Finding Peace of Mind)

HoHum: Casting Crowns- If We’ve Ever Needed You Hear our cry, Lord we pray, Our faces down, our hands are raised, You called us out, we turned away, we’ve turned away. With ship wrecked faith, idols rise, we do what is right, in our own eyes, our children now will pay the price, we need your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Philippians 2:14, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dear Pastor

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Jun 10, 2021

A letter to Servants of GOD

So, your church was closed and I see that the activities of your church are not only being regulated but closely monitored.  Don't tell me you're surprised!  You didn't see this coming?  Come on! Anyway, be encouraged, the church will be re-opened but since you did not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:23

Accept One Another Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 1, 2021

This is an uncomfortable, difficult, and counter-culture teaching that is based solely on the love of Christ. They had a hard time with it - it was a shock to their system to hear it - but it was God’s way forward.

-Building Up One Another- ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER Romans 15:7 Introduction Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” In his letter of 16 chapters, he raises this in chap 15! This is an uncomfortable, difficult, and counter-culture teaching ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

21 The Divine Deliverance Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Dec 24, 2020

This devotion is about the deliverance the Lord brings to Jonah after he is thrown into the sea. This is the 21st of 31 devotions on the book of Jonah, where a comparison is made between Jonah and The Church-at-large, in the light of the present global pandemic.

Jonah 2:10 - So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. “So the Lord spoke to the fish” The words, “So the Lord spoke to the fish,” might seem fairy tale-like or present day cartoon movie-like where people speak with and have relationships with animals, birds or fish, but ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:10, Matthew 16:19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Church And The Coronavirus”

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Mar 21, 2020

What the Christian should do and believe in responce to the Coronavirus Plague

“The Church and the Coronavirus” March 22, 2020 Psalm 91:1-7 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-7

Denomination: Holiness

What Is Your Calling? (Part 5) Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

Do you really have God’s call upon your life? If so, what has He disclosed to you? What are you doing about it? Have you consulted your mentor or pastor about it? Are you completely captivated by God?

Opening Illustration: Narrative of how my call came about. Introduction: In the focus text, Samuel lives in a precarious time when “the word of the LORD was rare” (verse 1). This is a continuation of the problem at the end of book of Judges where “all the people did what was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Is Your Prayer Life?

Contributed by Davon Huss on Feb 18, 2014

A sermon on encouraging married couples to pray together (Material adapted from http://www.coupleswhopray.com/)

HoHum: Several years ago, Redbook magazine did a computer survey on sexual attitudes and practices (not surprising). What was surprising in the survey was they sprinkled questions about religion in with the study. The survey of about 19,000 women showed that “strongly religious” women ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Mission Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Aug 31, 2015

Discipleship is the mission of the people of God.

Today, we begin a new series on discipleship. Our goal is to gain an better understanding of what discipleship is so that each of us might answer the call to be a disciple who makes disciples for Christ. We know this because of what Jesus commanded His followers in what is commonly referred to as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Believer’s Response To Crisis

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Sep 16, 2021

Some believe godly living, great faith and positive thinking will exempt them from trials. How do you respond when you are living your best, walking by faith, serving God and the bottom falls out? We respond in Faith!

Isa 38:1 “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, 3 And said, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 38:1-8, James 1:2-4, 1 John 5:14-15, 1 Peter 3:12

Denomination: Methodist

If My People

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on May 16, 2016

A sermon to acknowledge that only a heaven sent revival can help America.

"If My People..." 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. ILL - Introduction: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Denomination: Baptist

9 The Awakening Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Sep 5, 2020

This is the 9th of 31 Devotions on the book of Jonah. Today's devotion is about Jonah being awoken by the Captain, to call on God for mercy and deliverance.

The Awakening Jonah 1:6 – “So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” So the captain came to him, and said to him A Rude Awakening When the news of Jonah sleeping got to the ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:6, Luke 13:1-5, Matthew 26:40-41

Denomination: Independent/Bible