Sermons on Empty Handed:

Rapture Ready--Living With Authentic Faith Matthew 23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 14, 2025

To be rapture ready, we must move from empty religion to authentic relationship with CHRIST. JESUS condemns hypocrisy and calls us to authentic faith expressed in humility, obedience, and servant leadership. Outward show can’t replace inward surrender. Be watchful. Be faithful. Be ready.

2025.09.14 Sermon. RAPTURE READY_LIVING WITH AUTHENTIC FAITH_WOE TO HYPOCRISY, YES TO HUMILITY Matthew 23 William Akehurst, HSWC Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 23:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 23:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"The Bread Of Life" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Jan 5, 2011

All of us are on a search for something that will satisfy us and will satisfy us completely. But we don’t find it. That’s because most of the things in life don’t satisfy; they just leave us empty and still wanting more. In John 6 Jesus does something

“The Bread of Life” John 6: 35-51 I want us to talk about food for a few moments ... is that O.K.? Not difficult for most of us. Perhaps you have a restaurant you really like and even a favorite meal when you go there. My wife and usually eat at home but last Sunday we went to Cracker barrel. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Baptist

The Peter Principle

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2001

Peter’s character flaw was "I can do all things." Until he knew to place his life totally in Christ’s hands, he was the embodiment of the Peter Principle.

OPEN: I recently heard a radio announcer tell about a man who went through a drive up at a KFC restaurant. He ordered about $6 worth of food and then pulled up to give his money to the teller. He handed her a $200 bill. It had President George Bush’s picture on the front and on the back was a ...read more

Scripture: John 1:40-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"God Is All In All!”

Contributed by Cesar Delgado on Jan 17, 2007

“He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” (Dan. 4:35).

“GOD IS ALL IN ALL!” Psalms 135:6 Good News Christian Fellowship BUCAS, Daraga Albay January 14, 2007 Introduction A. Last year’s Super Typhoon B. Relief / rescue operation C. The people’s questions 1. Where’s God? 2. Does He care? 3. Is He in control? I. GOD ABSOLUTE RULE From our text in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 135:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Giant Killers

Contributed by Sherman Gordon on Jun 10, 2005

Have you ever felt inadequate for a particular task at hand. Well don’t! Like David, Gideon’s men, and the post-slavery Nationof Israel you are a Giant Killer.

GIANT KILLERS DEUT. 3:1-8 LAST WEEK WE LOOKED AT PAUL’S USAGE OF THE GREEK WORD ANALUSIS, IN WHAT WOULD BECOME HIS FINAL WORDS/WRITING IN HIS LETTER TO TIMOTHY FOUND IN II TIMOTHY 4. MY DEPARTURE/ANALUSIS IS AT HAND. ANALUSIS/DEPRATURE USED NOT IN A SENSE TO SUGGEST “THE LOST OF”, BUT RATHER ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Palestinian Problem, Pt. 1

Contributed by Dave Kinney on Aug 10, 2005

I want to try to my best ability to set the record straight about the issue at hand between the Jews and Arabs in the land named “Palestine” and the problem with the so-called “Palestinian refugees”.

“The Palestinian Problem” Pt. 1 Jeremiah 4:19 Today I want to try to my best ability to set the record straight about the issue at hand between the Jews and Arabs in the land named “Palestine” and the problem with the so-called “Palestinian refugees”. There are many myths to this problem and as ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Win Our Spiritual Battles

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Sometimes I do not pray in words— I take my heart in my two hands And hold it up before the Lord— I am so glad He understands (Nicholson)

How the Holy Spirit Helps us Pray (Eph. 6:10-18) Illustration: We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us. —Romans 8:26 My son Brian had been struggling for several hours to repair the plumbing in his bathroom. No matter what he tried, ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discover God's Plan For Your Life Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Oct 7, 2006

It is challenging for the Christian to see God’s hand in the everyday events of life and to discern God’s will, but there are steps that we can take to help us understand God’s will.

Psalm 139:1-16 “Discover God’s Plan for Your Life” INTRODUCTION Discovering God in the middle of life’s trials, or perilous times, is difficult. These are often times when God appears to be distant, inattentive and silent. Though our senses are wrong and none of these adjectives accurately ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Forward Ploughing (Making Sure You Don't Look Back!)

Contributed by Darren Ethier on Apr 9, 2002

The purpose of this sermon is to show Christians 3 results of looking back at problems, events, or things that have gone on in the past once you have put your hand to the plough in service to Christ.

Forward Ploughing: (making sure you don’t look back) Luke 9:57-61 TEXT: Luke 9:57-61 (NIV) 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-61, Genesis 19:15-26

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is Your Prayer Hitting The Bull's-Eye? Series

Contributed by Ralf Bergmann on May 4, 2002

Our prayers are to be targeted at others, our prayers are to be targeted toward our leaders, the price has already been paid, but are our hands cleansed enough to raise toward God in prayer?

Sermon Title: Is Your Prayer Hitting the Bull’s-Eye? Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Wesleyan Community Church Terry, Mississippi Sunday Morning – May 5, 2002 Scripture Introduction: If there is an item that many of us may struggle with, I think we all have some difficulty being told how to do ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Denomination: *other

Does Your Mamma Love You?

Contributed by Greg Nance on May 13, 2002

God’s Word says: Can a mother forget the baby at her breast... Even if she does, I will not forget you! I have written your name on my hand!

Several of us go pick up the inner city kids and bring them to Bible classes once a week. One of the questions I like to ask the kids at Inner City is this: Does you mamma love you? They always answer, “Yes!” Then I ask them why and they tell me, “She has to, she’s my mamma!” You can’t ask ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10, Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"The Vision Of The Wheels"

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Feb 10, 2010

Ezekiel was a man whose message was one that combined judgment and hope. On the one hand, he was a man gripped by a profound sense of God's holiness, brought about by his visionary experience with God.

"THE VISION OF THE WHEELS" EZEKIEL 1:1 24 Intro The most neglected and difficult prophetic book (subject matter, imagery, symbol system) READ v. 1 14 Before we go any further I'd like to take a look at this man and what brought about his extraordinary life and message. Ezekiel grew up in ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 1:24

Battling And Building

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Nov 19, 2010

They had a tool in one hand and a sword in the other. They had to multitask and keep one eye on the work and the other eye on the enemy. Link inc. to formatted text, audio/video, PowerPoint.

Battling and Building Nehemiah 4:11-23 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/BattlingBuilding.html Building is a battle. Just finding good weather is tough for roofers. It's too hot or too cold, it's raining or there's frost and it's too slippery. It's too steep!! Or the Pastor is too demanding!!! ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:11-23

Denomination: Baptist

Study In Revlation 24 Part 1-7 Series

Contributed by James Lee on Nov 4, 2009

7 part study in revelation 14 using "The preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible, along other resources. the hand out may be missing underlined blanks and check boxes.

STUDY IN RVELATION 24 The victory of the Lamb is assured Part I: The 144,000 stand with Jesus Rev. 14: 1-5 Chapter 14 deals with the assurance that the Lamb of God will be victorious in the end. John is given a seven part vision that assures him of this fact. We have just seen some of the most ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 14:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

"A Cold Dish Of Vengance."

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Nov 16, 2009

Encourage people that though they’ve been hurt and wounded by their enemies, it is more advantageous as the text implies, to let God get vengeance instead of taking matters in your own hands.

Transition & remarks Reading of scripture/prayer/seat people. I. Introduction: -Present sermon title/theme. We are living in a day and time where a great number in the body of Christ are seemingly finding themselves in situations where it appears as though the enemy, the adversary the devil himself ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-15

Denomination: Pentecostal