Sermons on Empty Handed:

Humble Yourselves Before God

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Aug 29, 2007

A sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17, 2007

14th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 17] September 2, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ, you have given us the gift of your love, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

A Widow And A Prophet

Contributed by Roberta Karchner on May 10, 2020

While written in the time of Pandemic, it is a celebration of God's Love for Mothers

Creator God, you said that even if a mother could forget the child she is nursing, you would never forget us! On this Sunday, as we celebrate mothers and those who mother us, we open by lifting some of them up to you. First, we lift up mothers and fathers who are raising a child on their own ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16, James 1:27, 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 146:9, Deuteronomy 27:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nurturing Relationships That Make Disciples

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jan 11, 2019

Today I want to talk about “Nurturing Relationships That Make Disciples.” The Bible teaches us that relationships are really important to living a Godly life.

“Nurturing Relationships That Make Disciples” But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 Intro: Today I want to talk about “Nurturing Relationships ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What If Jesus Told A Story About Your Life?

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Apr 20, 2021

1. God recognizes the story of our life (vs. 9-15a). 2. God reveals the story of our life (vs. 9). 3. God wants us to reconsider the story of our life (vs. 15-18). 4. God wants to rewrite the story of our life (vs. 18-19).

What if Jesus Told a Story about Your Life? Luke 20:9-19 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared April 18, 2021) BACKGROUND: *Today we will study one of the Lord's parables. But what is a parable anyway? The best definition I've ever heard is simply this: "A parable is an earthly story ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:9-19

Denomination: Baptist

Jacob Marries Leah And Rachel Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 22, 2017

Jacob marrying Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29:1-30 teaches us that God uses even human deception to fulfill his promise that Jacob's descendants shall be as numerous as the dust of the earth.

Scripture We are currently in a series of sermons on "Isaac's Descendants." After twenty years of barrenness, God gave Isaac and Rebekah twin sons, whom they named Esau and Jacob. As a young man, Esau despised his birthright and sold it to his twin brother, Jacob. Much later, Jacob deceived his ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:1-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Killing "the God Of Me"

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 29, 2021

There is only one throne in a person's heart; it either belongs to you or to the Lord God Almighty. Jesus won't share it with you and you cannot expect Him to do so. There is only one remedy, to kill "the god of Me" and enthrone the True and Living God there!

Killing "The god of Me” Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:6-8 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Daniel 3:1-30, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 2:12, Exodus 20:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

Contributed by Gary Holt on May 25, 2019

week 1 of the sermon on the mount series: poor in spirit

Beatitudes #1 “Blessed are the poor in spirit” Matthew 5:3 Have you ever been poor? Giving plasma for gas money poor Evicted poor because you can’t pay the rent poor Duck tape on the broken car window poor Electricity got turned off poor Poor is defined: Having little or few possessions or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3, Luke 18:13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Instructions For The Believer

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Nov 18, 2007

A message verbalizing the attitude our Lord expects of His children.

Instructions for the Believer 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 * Turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5:16. On this the last Sunday evening before we celebrate Thanksgiving, let us center on God’s word for instruction. Through His word He gives us instruction for life. * When we consider the culture in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Amazing Grace PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 30, 2025

God’s grace is a free gift we cannot earn; through faith, we receive His love and acceptance, not by our efforts but by His mercy.

Some of us walked in today with hearts like clenched fists—trying to hold it all together, trying to square the accounts with God, trying to make sense of a week that wore us thin. We wonder if grace has a limit, if mercy has a meter, if love has a ledger. We keep a mental checklist: pray more, try ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9, John 1:16

Topics: God's Grace, Grace, Embracing Grace

Stop, Look, Listen & Live! Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Apr 12, 2022

Jesus' followers had to very carefully examine the evidence for Jesus' resurrection, even when it was right before their faces, to believe. In the same way, you owe it to yourself to examine the evidence & come to the same conclusion they did!

This world is a dangerous place. If there’s any lesson the congregation of Risen King may have learned over the past three months or so is just how vulnerable we human being are to tragedies that may overtake us very suddenly. That the world is a dangerous place is something that most of being to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Luke 18:32-33, Matthew 16:21

Denomination: Bible Church

Go! And Hear The Roar Of God Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 25, 2025

The roar of God’s holiness thunders through the book of Amos. It is a warning, a call to repentance, but also a signpost pointing us to Jesus Christ—the only One who can rescue us from judgment and bring us into eternal life.

Go! And Hear the Roar of God A Sermon from the Book of Amos Introduction – The Lion Has Roared Imagine walking through the African savannah at night. The stars are bright above you, the wind is calm, but suddenly… you hear it. The deep, rolling roar of a lion. That sound shakes you. It demands ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:8, Amos 5:21-24, Amos 5:4, Amos 9:11, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 7:21, Joel 2:13, Acts 3:19, Luke 19:10, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, John 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Shrewd Manager: Wisdom For Kingdom Living

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Sep 18, 2025

A manager's word was his bond, and his reputation determined his future. But what happens when that reputation crumbles? What do you do when you've been caught with your hand in the cookie jar, and the pink slip is already being written?

Introduction In the dusty marketplace of ancient Palestine, business was conducted with handshakes and honor. A manager's word was his bond, and his reputation determined his future. But what happens when that reputation crumbles? What do you do when you've been caught with your hand in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Moses

Contributed by Ken Sowers on Sep 1, 2003

The story of Moses’ miraculous birth

August 3 - Moses EX 2:11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw anLook this way and then that - why were the Hebrews angry? All knew Moses was Hebrew born, but palace raised. Why did Moses turn his head for 40 years, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Discontentment PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

True contentment and lasting joy are found not in wealth or possessions, but in trusting God and valuing relationships above material gain.

Good morning, dear friends. I’m so glad you’re here. Some of us came in with a full schedule and an empty tank. Some of us came with a smile that covers a heart that’s sore. And some of us came with questions we aren’t sure we’re allowed to ask in church. If that’s you, you’re in good company. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-17

Topics: Discontentment, Consequences

#43 Through The Eye Of A Needle (Or Jesus Tells A Joke!) Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 18, 2021

In Mark 10:17-31, Jesus’ teaching confuses a young rich young ruler, his enemies, the crowd and His own disciples, and then He tells a camel joke.

#43 Through the Eye of a Needle (or Jesus Tells a Joke!) Series: Mark Chuck Sligh April 18, 2021 SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 12:13-21 TEXT: Please turn in your Bibles to Mark 10:17. INTRODUCTION Illus. – One time a man was sent to prison, so he was getting to know his new cellmate. Suddenly, down ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Baptist