Sermons on Emptied Himself:

How Could One Solitary Life Have So Much Impact - Christmas Eve

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Dec 24, 2023

Church members and friends can support St. John's By-the-Sea by visiting our website https://www.stjohnsbythesea.com/donate, where a donation can be made by PayPal or credit card, if you prefer that to mailing your donations to the church.

Good Evening, and welcome again to St. John’s Church. And, as you can tell, I love our Christmas Eve Service. The first one at St. John’s was in 1892, 130 years ago. This is only my 5th Christmas here, and I absolutely love how this service paints a picture. It really has a feel to it. As we close ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

No Life On Mars

Contributed by John Gaston on Feb 1, 2023

When Paul went to "Mars" Hill in Athens he found no spiritual life there. Though Greece had made a great contribution to the world's philosophy and thought, it's offering for salvation was empty. But there was life on Mars when Paul left!

NO LIFE ON MARS Acts 17:22-31 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Today I was at the hospital with someone and they remarked how that when they went in for surgery last time, the doctor drew a big picture on their side so he wouldn’t operate on the wrong side. With all that education, you'd wonder how ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Sermon # 1 - God's Bountiful Heart Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Feb 22, 2024

What is the secret to a life of overflowing abundance? There’s much we can learn from the life of David and Abraham. God can bless abundantly if only we can follow certain principles, and let go of thoughts and attitudes that displease God.

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.” (ISV) This is Paul’s words to the church at Corinth and he wished them that they would be full and overflowing with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 23:1, Genesis 1:20, Genesis 2:9, Genesis 2:10, Psalm 34:10, Genesis 2:12, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Are We Being Obedient?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 10, 2023

In this passage of Scripture, Paul is writing to the Philippians, instructing them to be humble like Christ. How humble are we?

These verses are presumably from a psalm sung by the early Christian church. The passage holds many equals to the prediction of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. As a song, it was not intended to be a finished assertion about the nature and work of Christ. Notwithstanding, a few vital attributes ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Who Holds The Key To Human Happiness? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 20, 2024

We are shocked and horrified, but we are no longer surprised.

Palm Sunday 1964 Growing up in the 1950s and sixties, and going to Catholic schools, our Boomer generation hardly ever heard of things that are common today, and nobody knew that the Rockefeller foundation was funding researchers to reduce the Catholic population by finding a “Catholic ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Mark 11:1-10

Denomination: Catholic

The Book Of Lamentations – Part 25 – Mercilessly Hunted Down And Silenced In A Pit; Waters Of Judgment Flowed Over The Heads - Chapter 3:52-54 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 22, 2025

What is it to be hunted down and thrown into a pit of silence, and then to be sealed there by a stone? These survivors from the Babylonian holocaust describe their feelings. The waters of judgement surged over their heads. Jesus has identified with His people by passing that way Himself.

THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS – PART 25 – MERCILESSLY HUNTED DOWN AND SILENCED IN A PIT; WATERS OF JUDGMENT FLOWED OVER THE HEADS - CHAPTER 3:52-54 The laments of the people and of Jeremiah continue through the next three verses, then move into more positive territory as prayer sets the focus. I hope ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:52, John 8:44, Lamentations 3:53, Jeremiah 38:2, Jeremiah 38:6, Genesis 37:22-24, Lamentations 3:54, Psalm 69:1-2, Psalm 69:14-15, Jonah 2:3-5, Job 29:2-3, Hebrews 2:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

After The Heart Of Judas

Contributed by Keith Davis on May 5, 2003

A look at the life of the one who betrayed Jesus.

Title: After The Heart of Judas Text: John 13:21 Introduction: Jesus has just finished washing the disciples’ feet. He sits at the last supper table for a meal with them and the following takes place: READ JOHN 13:13-21 What an understatement “Jesus was troubled in spirit...” Why wouldn’t ...read more

Scripture: John 13:13-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ's Redemptive Sufferings Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 19, 2014

Christians are called to follow Christ's example in suffering even while doing what is right. Christ Himself suffered unjustly & left us an example of how to suffer & that good can be brought about through suffering.

1 PETER 2: 21-25 [Renewing Hope Series] THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTIVE SUFFERINGS [Luke 24:25-27; 44-47 / Matthew 5:9-12] In Peter 2:21-25 God redirects the attention of suffering Christians to the sufferings of Christ. By looking to Jesus the Christian who suffers unjustly receives ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

Job's Condemnation

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Apr 13, 2002

Job’s defense of himself and his disturbing questions about God’s justice upset his friends. In their eyes such impious thoughts proved that Job must be numbered with the wicked.

JOB’S CONDEMNATION JOB 22–27 “Is not your wickedness great? Are not your sins endless?” (Job 22:5) Job’s defense of himself and his disturbing questions about God’s justice upset his friends. In their eyes such impious thoughts proved that Job must be numbered with the wicked. Overview Eliphaz was ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Way To The Lord

Contributed by David Richardson on Mar 13, 2005

God does not desire to hide Himself from you. He desires the way to Him to be simple and easy to follow. God does not desire to hide His purpose for your life.

The Way of the Lord Acts 18:1-27 Introduction: One of the fun things that kids like to do is to hide from their friends and their parents. They like to hide behind the curtains, or the couch, or the door. Sometimes they like to build those little tents, with a sheet and a couple of chairs so ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-28

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

With A Little Help From My Friends Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on Jul 26, 2005

PAUL NEVER CLAIMED HE ACCOMPLISHED GREAT THINGS FOR CHRIST BY HIMSELF. HE SAID HE HAD A LOT OF HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS, AND HE RECOGNIZED THEM FOR THEIR HELP.

With A Little Help From My Friends Text: Colossians 4:7-18 Introduction. Sometimes, I’m sure, we’re all surprised at how things get done. Sometimes, we don’t know how, and sometimes we don’t know who, but somebody did it; and, we know it got done! I’m sure we all remember the account of the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 4:7-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Abiding In Jesus

Contributed by Curtis Kittrell on Aug 31, 2001

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one.

Abiding in Jesus Introduction Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one. But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). Then the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15, John 15:7-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Dialogue Of Jonah.

Contributed by Melvin Shelton on Oct 25, 2005

After the lot fell on Jonah, there is an interesting conversation between Jonah and the mariners. The lot had divided the group on the ship into two groups. Jonah was in a group with himself with the mariners in the other group.

The book of Jonah #05 The Dialogue of Jonah. Jonah 1:8-12 This is our fifth study on the book of Jonah. We are learning something about the character of the man the Bible calls Jonah. So far in our study he hasn’t been too impressive but I feel sure that is going to change. In our last study, we ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Be Decieved

Contributed by Grant Gregory on Sep 7, 2006

Jesus said, "Be not Deceived." We need to know our Enemy. Satan is called the Deceiver. He can transform himself as angel of light- (2 Cor. 11:14).

Don’t Be Deceived Text: Rev. 12:9 “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Having A Winning Attitude

Contributed by David Nsiah on Sep 16, 2005

For you to get the best from God, you need to have that spirit that takes no for an answer. You need to move on in God without fear or trembling and God will show Himself strong.

HAVE A WINNING ATTITUDE Ruth 1:8-19 The Bible says in the scriptures that when Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem and stayed there. A winning attitude is in a person who determines to take ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:8-19

Denomination: Pentecostal