Sermons on Empty Handed:

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Be Comforted

Contributed by Brad Rigney on Jun 13, 2006

This sermon is about how God wants us to empty our cups of the hurts we experience in life. God is the God of all comfort but also has a prescription for us to help each other deal with the hurts.

How to Find Comfort: Stopping the Overflow of Life’s Hurts 2Corinthains 1:3-7 Pastor Brad Rigney Intro.: A. God created us to be in relationship with People – Gen. 2 – “It is not good that man is alone…” Yet, in relationship with others (Parents, Spouses, Siblings, Friends, Co-workers, children, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Adventist

Is The Resurrection Believable?

Contributed by Francis Camacho on Jul 9, 2002

4 Credible Evidences. Before we can prove the resurrection, we need to prove that Christ actually died, that the tomb was empty, that the resurrected Christ actually appeared to many, and that there were profound differences in the life of the witnesses.

Is the Resurrection Believable? 4 Credible Evidences 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Citation: Case For Christ by Lee Strobel 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 1Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand 2and by which you are being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

A Sting Or A Saint?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2010

An empty niche above the church door, made for a statue of a saint, but now containing a hornet’s nest, suggests the choice of letting our lives be empowered by God or letting the sting of death and disappointment take over.

The other day I was hauling in a load of stuff from my car. I came in the Aspen Street entrance to the building, the entrance nearest my office. For some reason, as I was carrying things through the door, I looked up above my head, probably to implore the Lord to give me an extra ounce of muscle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

Full - Pt. 5 - Prayer Full Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 26, 2017

We prefer full over empty! Jesus says He came that we might have abundant (full) life. Do we? Do we even know what we should be full of?

Full Pt. 5 - Prayer Full I. Introduction Are you full? If so, what are you full of? Your "fullness" will determine what overflows to every area of your life. And yet the truth is that if we find ourselves closer to the "e" than the "f" we are in the majority. In a recent study of 1,000 churches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Poor In Spirit

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 21, 2023

Poor in Spirit - is a constant state of dependency and looking upon God the Father by which we are always drawing, always receiving, always using the receiving provisions or treasures and always stay nothing(emptying the received provisions)

Poor in Spirit - is a constant state of dependency and looking upon God the Father by which we are always drawing, always receiving, always using the receiving provisions or treasures and always stay nothing(emptying the received provisions). When we receive something from God, we swiftly use what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

God Of Signs And Wonders Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 10, 2025

The God we serve is not a God of emptiness or silence—He is the God of signs and wonders. From the beginning of Scripture to the end, we see that God consistently reveals Himself through supernatural acts that defy human explanation.

GOD OF SIGNS AND WONDERS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 8:18 Supporting Texts: Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:22, Exodus 7:3, John 4:48 INTRODUCTION: The God we serve is not a God of emptiness or silence—He is the God of signs and wonders. From the beginning of Scripture to the end, we see ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 8:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Seek First The Kingdom

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Jan 18, 2026

A professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled it with big rocks and asked, “Is the jar full?” The students poured in some pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks.

“Seek First the Kingdom” 1. Matthew 6:33 2. Ps 121 Illustration A professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled it with big rocks and asked, “Is the jar full?” The students poured in some pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks. He asked again, “Is it full ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of Love

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Aug 30, 2025

This message highlights that love is the greatest virtue and the very foundation of the Christian faith. Without love, every gift, service, and sacrifice becomes empty. Love is the true mark of a believer and the key to fulfilling God’s will on earth.

THE POWER OF LOVE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Supporting Texts: John 13:34-35, Romans 13:10, Colossians 3:14, 1 John 4:7-8, Matthew 22:37-39 INTRODUCTION: Love is the essence of God’s nature, for the Bible tells us that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Futility Or Fulfillment

Contributed by Sylvester Fergusson on Feb 22, 2026

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, there was no profit under the sun. kjv

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, there was no profit under the sun. kjv Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard i had worked doing it and I realized that it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:18-22, Ecclesiastes 2:11, Luke 12:16-20, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Adventist

Chasing Destiny

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Sep 10, 2011

Saul thought he was just chasing donkeys. What he was about to discover was his real destiny.

I Samuel 9:2-6, 15-17, 20 [2] [Kish’s] son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land. [3] One day Kish's donkeys strayed away, and he told Saul, ‘Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.’ [4] So Saul took one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:2-20

God's Chosen Disciple Peter Series

Contributed by Rich Anderson on Feb 11, 2011

The disciple Peter is the first mentioned in all four Gospels. Jesus knew Peter was a diamond in the rough and not merely a rock.

Peter was the leader of the disciples. Simon was his real name and Jesus gave him the name Peter in addition. Peter means “Rock” (Petros in the Greek) and the church was founded on this rock. John MacCarthur refers to him as the disciple with the foot shaped mouth. His name is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Seven Ways To Lose A (Spiritual) Fight

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 22, 2005

What exactly is Paul getting at with each of these things that God has given us? This message tries to dig out the importance of each.

- This passage is often preached, yet I never felt like I understood what exactly Paul was getting at with each piece that’s mentioned. What are the specific needs? What are the specific dangers? What specifically has God given us? - In preparing, I tried to dig deeper. For instance: “having ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Missing!

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 5, 2016

"The Empty Manger" is about a guy who noticed the nativity display at his church was missing the baby Jesus. Everything else was there but the most important piece was missing. In life, everything else can be there but if Jesus is missing it's incomplete.

JESUS IS MISSING! INTRODUCTION: The Empty Manger. "A number of years ago, the church I attend set up a very nice nativity set in the front of our sanctuary during the four weeks leading up to Christmas, when we observe Advent. The wise men, shepherds, livestock, angels, Joseph, and Mary had all ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Joy: Easter, 2003

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 28, 2003

Do you ever feel like this? Emptiness? Exhaustion? Feeling trapped? We’ll meet two people in the Bible who felt this way. But because they met the Risen Jesus, they found joy. And you can, too!

(I used several ideas from Rick Warren’s Easter messages over the last few years for this message. Thanks, Rick! 1980 people attended our services and 63 people prayed to recieve Christ at CVCC this Easter!) * * * I’ve lived in NE Ohio 17 years and I’ve personally talked to hundreds of people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist