Sermons on surprises: showing 301-315 of 27,892

The Temptation Of Legalism

Contributed by Douglas Phillips on Sep 14, 2015

This is a three to four week Bible Study on the Issue of Legalism, and the surprising places where we may practice legalism in the church today.

THE TEMPTATION OF LEGALISM GALATIANS 5:1-6 QUESTION: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE FREEDOM? QUESTION: IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE FREEDOM WITHOUT LIMITS? ROMANS: 14:12-19: 12SO WE WILL ALL HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO GOD THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE. 13LET US STOP JUDGING ONE ANOTHER. INSTEAD, MAKE UP YOUR MIND NOT TO ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Changing The World, One Meal At A Time Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 29, 2023

By using our tables to model the character of God, foster community, and surprise our guests, we can make a difference in the world.

Hey guys, let's play a quick game. I'm going to start a sentence, and I want you to finish it. Ready? "The Son of Man came..." What's your answer? You might say, "to serve, not to be served," or "to seek and save the lost." But did you know there's another way the Bible finishes that sentence? "The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1, Luke 14:7-14

Topics: Community Building, Divine Character, Spiritual Gatherings, Sacred Hospitality

The Three Greatest Joy Robbers Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Life gets messy. That’s no surprise. What is surprising is how easily we forget that God wants joy to be our regular experience of life. And it’s the stuff a a messy life where we’ll experience God’s joy. We’re called to live in harmony, peace and of cour

Introduction Over the years I’ve noticed a pattern in how God works in my life. Whenever I’m going to speak about a particular topic God first allows me to personally experience it. I need to tell you…this is not always fun! But God seems to set things up so I have to live out the principles that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Gifts Concerning Tongues Series

Contributed by Rick Macdonald on Aug 8, 2001

The gift of tongues and its companion gift of interpretation are often misunderstood and misapplied, and it’s no surprise they are often called “the least of the gifts.”

The Baptism with the Holy Spirit - part 3 THE GIFTS CONCERNING TONGUES Text: 1 Corinthians 12:10 August 27, 2000 By: Pastor Rick MacDonald ILLUSTRATION: Dwight L. Moody once demonstrated the principle like this: "Tell me," he said to his audience, "how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gatekeeper, Gateopener

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 19, 2000

The pastor has two roles that must not be reduced -- a gatekeeper to guard against useless ideas and hateful attitudes, and a gateopener to let in God's surprises.

Do you think the Lord has a sense of humor? I do. I see a delicious little coincidence that God’s word drops in our laps today. Some of us remember a 70’s TV program, the Mary Tyler Moore show. If you remember that program, you will recall that sweet, nice, loveable Mary lived in an apartment ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Right Place At The Right Time Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 27, 2011

When God provided His Son on Christmas and throughout his earthly life, God did it right. No surprises, no failures, no forgotten details.

The Right Place at the Right Time (Galatians 4:4-5) 1. We noticed in previous weeks that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem to fulfill prophecy. He was born in the right place. 2. A Sunday School was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is The Destiny Of Your Church?

Contributed by Kelly Mitchell on Oct 7, 2012

Through Ezekiel the Prophet, God provides a certain destiny and purpose of the modern Christian church and most of us will probably be surprised to hear it.

In Alice in Wonderland, when Alice comes to a junction in the road that leads in different directions, she asks the Cheshire Cat, "Cheshire-Puss...would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to go to," said the Cat. "I don't much ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

Did Lazarus And The Rich Man Really Go To Heaven Series

Contributed by Coz Von on Nov 12, 2017

What you may not know about what happened to Lazarus and the rich man will really surprise you. There is some deeper insight into this.

In Luke 16:19–31 Jesus told a very strange story about a rich man, whom He didn’t name, and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lived in luxury while Lazarus, a beggar who lay at the rich man’s gate, was covered with sores and had very little to eat. In due time both men died. Angels carried ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Is There Not A Cause...”

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 28, 2022

Life is filled with many surprises. That is, there are times when we feel we can depend on some things and then they disappoint us. For example,

Illus: Some of you have bought new cars because you wanted some dependable transportation. Then you found that new car, that you thought would surely be dependable, stranded you on a roadside. There are many things we have thought would be dependable that turned out not to be. Then there are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:29, 1 Samuel 17:32-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Remnant Lives Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 24, 2021

The general purpose of Romans 9-11 is to explain Israel’s unbelief and the growing gentile population of the church; the great doctrines about God’s sovereignty are important, but the main point is this: God has temporarily set aside Israel to accommodate the church age.

The Remnant Lives Romans 10:13-11:12 1. It is not often that Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday, so this means I am obligated to begin my sermon with a Valentine’s story, a true one. 2. “Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

#1then God, Don't Be Surprised When The Answer Knocks At Your Door. Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 18, 2007

The prayer meeting was intense, the knock on the door was clear, but the suggestion was: ARE YOU CRAZY. We have problems, THEN GOD COMES AND HELPS!

#1 THEN GOD! The answer is knocking at the door! By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com This is a two part lesson. I did this part in two parts. I. HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED HOW HEAVY LIFE CAN BECOME? WE NEED A MOVE OF GOD! Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-17 - Surprise! I'm Already Here! Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Mar 21, 2010

Why are people still turning up to Jesus as John's disciples and wanting TO KEEP ON PREPARING THE WAY. Jesus has come. The Bridegroom has arrived. Get with the plan, people! He's here. All that is left is to celebrate the wedding!

Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-15 - SURPRISE! I'M ALREADY HERE! My youngest grandson had his first birthday recently. My daughter wanted to make it special for him and she invited all her friends with young children to come. SHE SPENT WEEKS PLANNING THIS PARTY. We spent a good week just setting it up. We ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Things First

Contributed by A.t. Stewart on Jul 20, 2004

What is the first thing one must do to insure his or her spiritual growth? Paul told Titus something that may surprise you.

FIRST THINGS FIRST Titus 1:1-5 Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” (Matt. 5:48). That’s a rather tall order, wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-5

God Of The Impossible Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 3, 2007

In Genesis 17-21 we see Abraham laugh in surprise, Sarah laugh in disbelief, and both of them laugh in astonishment when Isaac was born.

Genesis Series # 5 CHCC: February 11, 2007 The God of the Impossible Genesis 17: 15-17; 18:9-15, 21:1-7 INTRODUCTION: I heard it told that one day Abraham was trying to update his computer to the new Microsoft Windows Vista. Isaac said, "Father, you can’t do that. Your computer doesn’t have ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Swineherds Lost Their Jobs

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 7, 2013

The story of Jesus stilling the storm and delivering the Madman of Gadara, TOLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SWINEHERDS. They saw things and got insights that would surprise you!

WHEN THE SWINEHERDS LOST THEIR JOBS Mk. 4:37-39; 5:2-19 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Karl the Pig Farmer Karl the pig farmer was telling his buddies back on the farm about his first visit to a big city church: 1. "When I got there, they made me park my old pick-up in the corral," he began. "You mean in ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God