Sermons on Empty Handed:

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A: What Loving Your Enemies And Being ‘perfect’ Mean

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jan 8, 2023

“Now raise your hands if you have only one or two enemies.” And even fewer people raised their hands. “See,” says the priest, “most of us feel like we have enemies.”

A priest is giving a homily like I am right now on “What loving your enemies and being ‘perfect’ mean.” “Now,” says the priest, “I’ll bet that many of us feel as if we have enemies in our lives. So, raise your hands if you have a few enemies.” And several people raise their hands.” “Now raise ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Catholic

Your Are Dust, Including All Our Achievements Series

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Feb 20, 2021

Naked, we came into this earth, naked we shall leave this earth. None of our achievements nor wealth comes along with us.

Every person in this world has been trained to take a great deal of effort to become something in this world. Alexander the great took that very seriously and won many wars from Macedonia to India. He also asserted that the world is not enough for this great king. Unexpectedly, this king has to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 1:3-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Consider Your Ways: Look Around (Sermon 1 Of 4) Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Sep 10, 2014

When we allow the common to take priority over the call of God we will sense an emptiness that can only be solved by returning with a repentant heart.

CONSIDER YOUR WAYS: A CALL TO HOLINESS LOOK OUTWARD Haggai 1:1-6 Big Idea: When we allow the common to take priority over the call of God we will sense an emptiness that can only be solved by returning with a repentant heart. Supporting Scripture: • Psalm 51:1-12 • Lamentations ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

(3) Who Is The Father To You? Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 2, 2025

John 5 - Bethesda Pool. This message reveals Jesus as the Father’s mercy, ending futility, exposing empty religion, and granting forgiveness and wholeness.

Introduction: Have you ever missed a sign? I have. One time I was rushing through the airport, ticket in hand, suitcase dragging behind me. I cleared security, found my gate, and sat down to wait. After a few minutes I started listening to the announcements — and realized everybody around me was ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2:14, John 5:1-9, Isaiah 35:6, Matthew 11:5, John 14:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Joy Comes In The Morning

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Mar 30, 2024

Resurrection message dealing with Mary Magdelene meeting Jesus at the empty tomb. Jesus found her weeping but she left full of joy.

Title: From Weeping to Joy Theme: To show how Mary Magdalene went from weeping in her life to joy. Text: John 20:1 – 18 Note: Part of the idea for this message came from Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado ch. 11 John 20:1-18 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Psalm 30:5

Denomination: Church Of God

Sin Of Taking Advantage Of Others Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Feb 13, 2024

Taking advantage of others is like draining their soul, leaving them empty and dry. It may fill our pockets, but it drains our humanity.

In the Bible, God teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. But sadly, there are those who choose to exploit and manipulate others for their own gain. In Leviticus 19:13, God says, "Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:13, Matthew 18:23-35

What The Lord Knows.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 16, 2024

The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; “My cup runneth over.”

What The Lord Knows. Palm 1:1-6NKJV What does the Lord know? Maybe a better question is, “What does the Lord not know.” He’s Creator of physics, nuclear science, he designed Jets and rockets plus anything else that comes into the future. God did it first; God is the Master Designer! Psalm ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Go! And Proclaim The Risen Christ- 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 14, 2025

Resurrection Sunday is the day when everything changed. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Death was defeated. And the risen Saviour stands victorious!

Go! And Proclaim the Risen Christ- 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4 Introduction Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Today is not just any Sunday—it is Resurrection Sunday, the day when everything changed. The stone was rolled away. The tomb was empty. Death was defeated. And the risen Saviour stands ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Isaiah 53:5, Luke 24:34, Acts 4:33, Romans 10:9, Titus 2:14, Ephesians 1:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Living Faith (Hebrews 11)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 27, 2024

Did the patriarchs and matriarchs of old leave us an example of a living faith or empty belief? Let's discuss this in Hebrews 11.

Is faith the assurance of things hoped for, the proof of things not yet seen? Did the patriarchs and matriarchs have a faith that pleased God? Do we believe that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him? Let’s discuss this in Hebrews 11. What is faith? Did faith make the ancient ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is Jesus Mark On You?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Sep 29, 2023

The trademark of the living Christ should be something that others will clearly notice and readily recognize upon those that call themselves followers of the Christ. Yield to the Holy Spirit allow him to mold you and transform you more and more into the image of Jesus.

If we are Honest ... Often ... When we are shopping, ...... we will look for name brands that we know. For brands ... that we ... trust. We often recognize those products ... by their trademarks ...... or by ... their ... logos. Companies spend millions of dollars on research ... in order that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-13, Ephesians 4:4, James 3:8-10, John 13:15, Matthew 20:26-28, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Being The Broom! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jun 11, 2013

The parable of ther lost coin. Of the features of the parable have you considered your part, have you considered what it takes to be the broom? A very short illustrative sermon.

Being the broom. Luke 15:8-10 Jesus tells us this little wee parable about lost people being found; in it he compares those people to a silver coin a lost silver coin. Now in our day and age with rampant inflation a silver coin is for most of us not a big deal. Back in the day this coin a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:8-10

Denomination: Salvation Army

5 Practical Ideas For Daily Gospel Sharing

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Aug 19, 2021

How can I witness and share the gospel on a daily basis? That is the prime question. We can understand the theology, and the command, to go to all the world, but how do we practically do it? I'd like to share five ideas with you about how to do that in your daily 9 to 5 life.

How can I witness and share the gospel on a daily basis? That is the prime question. We can understand the theology, and the command, to go to all the world, but how do we practically do it? I'd like to share five ideas with you about how to do that in your daily 9 to 5 life. 1. Fast food ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Pray Such That God Answers

Contributed by Anitha Jabastion on Jan 1, 2023

Jabez prayed in such a way that God answered his prayers. What made his prayer so special?

1 Chronicles 4:9-10: Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Let Your Life Shine

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Feb 5, 2024

If we want to have influence in this world, we had better shine. We need to let our life shine so that others will be attracted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Alba 1-28-24 LET YOUR LIFE SHINE I Thessalonians 4:9-12 The military has a history of requiring that boots be polished until they shine. If you have served in the military, you are probably familiar with the involved process that it takes to achieve that shine. There are websites that explain ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Broken And Blessed

Contributed by Mike Hays on Aug 29, 2003

The law is the hammer of God to break us so that we will be empty of our confidence in ourselves and declare our dependence upon His grace and glory.

“Broken and Blessed!” Galatians 3:15-22 Our experiences shape us. For most of us, “experiences” rather than “truth” carry more weight in defining our understanding of life than anything else. We arrive at the conclusion that what we experience, through our eyes, is truth. As a result of this way ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:15-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ