Sermons on Cheated By Empty Deceit:

Martha Syndrome Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Nov 29, 2022

Entering into the first Sunday of Advent, hope outshines disappointment. At some point of all of have come down with Martha Syndrome. When our caring and compassion tanks are nearing empty - Watch Out!

It was Junior High in the mid 1980’s when the Wilder family opened up Tokens Video Arcade in my home town of Lansing, IL. Today, you can go to Google Play or the Apple Store to download a pinball game, but it is nothing like the original. The pull of the spring tensioned launch button, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:28-31

The Problem With Pursuing Your Passion

Contributed by Ken Henson on Nov 16, 2015

1. Everyone says “Follow your heart”. But “The heart is deceitful above all things . . ." 2. we tend to be passionate about things we're good at, but getting good takes a lot of work 3. It's difficult to see the difference between passion and addiction

The most common career advice people hear these days is that in order to be happy you have to pursue your passion. This is the first generation I’m aware of that has swallowed such a lie. Today I’d like to present three problems, huge reasons that pursuing your passion as a path to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5-12

Denomination: *other

His Body In Motion Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 26, 2007

We want to change – our selves, our lives, our circumstances, but we can’t seem to find the right change that works. We are constantly seeking to change all the things that seem to be so full of promise but empty of real or lasting results.

THE SUPREME MYSTERY – THE BODY OF CHRIST ACT II: The Mystery of The Body Unveiled 5. HIS BODY IN MOTION (Eph. 4:17-32) INTRODUCTION: “Flushed Away.” How true of so many lives! Downward spiral. Starts slowly, builds up speed and suction until a destiny in the sewer becomes unavoidable. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Solomon - Wealth, Wisdom & A Worthless Life Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Aug 5, 2013

Have you ever sought fulfillment in life from the things God has given rather than from God? Solomon had a great start, but then lost his first love and turned to things to find fulfillment, but found nothing but emptiness.

Solomon – Wealth, Wisdom & a Worthless Life 1 Kings 9:1-9; 11:1-6 Slide Intro Good Evening/Morning. We are glad you are here and I am happy to once again be back up here preaching. I hope you were as blessed as I was from hearing from our elders and staff during July. We are so blessed as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 9:1-9, Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Partaking Of Christ

Contributed by David Swensen on Dec 20, 2001

Have we gone astray, feeding and feasting on all the empty, fleeting things this world offers? Let’s learn how to partake of Christ so our deepest hungers of our soul will be satisfied

PARTAKING OF CHRIST John 6:35-51 INTRODUCTION In his latest book, Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias tells of a 1996 expedition to Mt. Everest. His information came from the book, Into Thin Air, that chronicles the hazards that plagued the climbers. “The expedition was a disaster and many ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Baptist

Helpful Routines For A New Year

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Jan 6, 2007

Jesus and his family went to the Passover Feast according to custom. It was a helpful routine and not an empty ritual for them. This talk offers four helpful routines for the Church: Praying, Eating, Worshipping and Serving Together (PEWS).

Luke 2: 41-52 Midnight mass – Church on Christmas Day – Presents all opened before 6am – No presents until after Christmas lunch – Turkey with all the trimmings – A family walk in the afternoon – A football match on Boxing Day – Turkey sandwiches for a week – New Year resolutions – A special diet ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:42-52

Denomination: Anglican

The Start Of Something New Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 18, 2006

With the empty tomb, God demonstrated that he was doing something new. We live out the reality that God is doing something new as we walk in faith in the relationship that God made with us at our baptism.

John 20:1-18 “The Start of Something New” INTRODUCTION It was near dawn on that first Easter, when Mary Magdalene approached Jesus’ tomb. It was probably a morning that was not all that different from this one. Mary expected to find a tomb with a stone rolled across its entrance. She assumed ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Boredom On The Job Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 13, 2015

Boredom is a constant complaint of many workers, but Solomon points to the one thing that can turn the emptiness of the workplace into a powerful tool for our faith. What is this "one thing" that can makes such a big difference for us?

Back in 2009, a 16-year-old British girl was fired from her office job because her manager saw - on Facebook - that she had said her job was “boring”. She was called into her manager's office and given the following letter: “Following your comments made on Facebook... we feel it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Not Alone!

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 9, 2016

On this Easter Sunday morning, we stand amazed with the women who see the angel at the empty tomb. The angel announces to them, “He is risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee.”

You Are Not Alone! Matthew 28:1-10 1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Coping With The Holidays

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2016

This information was put together for a workshop on "Coping with the Holidays" (Adapted from the book, "The Empty Chair: Handling Grief on Holidays and Special Occasions" by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries)

HoHum: Start with some family information: I grew up in a tight knit family spending my Sunday afternoons after church with all my extended family at my grandparent’s house. I am the eldest grandchild and my grandfather spent a lot of time with me growing up. I had trouble reading so before ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Does The Resurrection Matter? Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Apr 28, 2014

What is the difference in Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity? Simple. Of the four major religions today only one claims an empty tomb. The resurrection is the miracle that makes a difference between a religion that is dead and one that is alive.

Why does the Resurrection matter? John 20:1-20 History records that Abraham who is known as the founder of the Jewish faith. 2000 years before the birth of Christ. His body remains in that tomb. History also records that in the year 483 BC that Buddha who about 80 at the time died from eating ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Don’t Ask How You Are Doing, Tell Them About Jesus

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Oct 25, 2013

Most know in their heart how they are doing in life. Those without Jesus know that there is an empty place in their heart that needs to be filled. But, most don’t realize what it takes to fill it.

Don’t ask how you are doing, tell them about Jesus. Luke 5:3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Searching For The Everlasting Life

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Feb 5, 2023

Many live today in public they portray a different persona than when they are alone. He let down his guard. He is searching to fill the emptiness in his life that only can be filled by Jesus.

John 3:1-17 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Alleluia Christ Is Risen

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Mar 23, 2016

The Sunday School teacher asked the class " What do you think were Jesus first words when he came out of the tomb?" A little girl shouted frantically I know!, I know!" Extending her arms into the air she said " TA DA!". Beloved "TA DA the Lord has risen!"

It is Easter... The day that we celebrate the resurrection ... of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A time when Alleluias fill the air: Beloved ... You know the response: Alleluia Christ is Risen...... (Pause) The Lord is Risen in Deed Alleluia. There is a story that I love so well ... that ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 15:12-26

Denomination: Anglican

Ichabod: When The Glory Departs Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

The story of Ichabod is a tragic but necessary reminder that God's presence is not automatic. It can depart when dishonoured, neglected, or taken for granted.

ICHABOD: WHEN THE GLORY DEPARTS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 4:1-22 Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 10:18-19, Psalm 51:11, Hosea 4:6, Revelation 2:5, John 15:5 INTRODUCTION: There is no greater tragedy for a person, a church, or a nation than the departure of God's glory. The glory ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God