Sermons on Empty Handed:

Shalom Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 24, 2012

Just like the disciples' hopelessness and despair was turned into joy and peace, so Jesus moves in our lives giving us the peace that passes all understanding.

John 20:19-31 “Shalom” INTRODUCTION Does is seem to you that Easter Day was a long time ago? So much has happened this past week and it feels like the loud proclamations, “He is Risen,” and “He is Risen Indeed,” are now only faint whisperings. Yes, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter: Do You Believe In The God Of Surprises?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Apr 3, 2010

Do you believe in the God of surprises? I do - but there is no way the friends of Jesus expected him to rise from the dead. No way! But the Good News is that he did and it is Good News for all people. Do you believe in the God of surprises?

Do you believe in the God of surprises? Now, let’s be clear, just in case anyone’s not sure. Although The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourite books, and one of my favourite films, I know that it’s only make-believe; but just like the parables that Jesus told – the stories he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Anglican

High Standards (Deuteronomy 17)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Jan 5, 2025

What can we learn from God's high standards of conduct for ancient Israel? Let's look at Deuteronomy 17.

Why did God require sacrifices without defect? Does capital punishment deter evils? What were God’s standards for royalty? Does our king of kings far exceed those standards? Let’s look at Deuteronomy 17. Should a sacrifice not have any blemish or defect? You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Disappointment Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 9, 2004

Today I want to tell you about a fishing trip that took place after the Resurrection.

Hi, my name is Simon Peter. You’ve probably heard of some of my most embarrassing moments. It would take me all day to tell you about how my mouth has messed me up, and about how I let Jesus down, as well as the other disciples. Today I want to tell you about a fishing trip that took place after ...read more

Scripture: John 21:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning. Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 4, 2018

God creates. Everything begins with God and fulfills His purposes for His glory. He works by the power of His Word (Ps. 33:6–9), the same Word that can work in our lives. He works according to a plan: first He forms, and then He fills.

April 24, 2013 Commentary on the Book of Genesis By: Tom Lowe Lesson I.A.1: The Beginning. Scripture: Gen. 1:1, 2. Genesis 1.1, 2 (KJV) 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

There Is Something About Mary Series

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Sep 20, 2006

Did Mary Madalene have a secret life the Bible covered up?

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT MARY John 20:11-18 Adapted from “The Da Vinci Code: Fact Or Fiction (Part Four: Mary Magdalene’s Big Role)” by Jim Butcher John 20:11-20:18 The Da Vinci Code’s Claim: “Mary Magdalene’s most important role was being married to Jesus.” According to the book, the Holy ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Wesleyan

Dirges, Grief, And Other Sad Things Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Sep 15, 2022

In the midst of our sadness and anger and guilt and anxiety and shock which we can roll up into one word ‘grief,’ we must call on God and give our grief over to Him allowing Him to bind up our hearts with His strength and His peace.

THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DIRGES, GRIEF, AND OTHER SAD THINGS 2 Samuel 1:1-27, Psalm 55:1-23 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION When I think about grief, three episodes in my life come to mind. First, I think about a gentleman with whom I served for over 9 year in ministry. Up until recently, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:1-23, 2 Samuel 1:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Lead, Follow, Or Get Out Of The Way

Contributed by Jay Patton on May 20, 2002

This is part of a series through Nehemiah. The entire series is about godly steps for rebuilding godly structures.

Introduction: Vietnam wall Illustration Read Scripture/PRAY Background: Addressing problems, becoming change agents Purpose Statement: As we go about the task of problem solving... I. Don’t Be Overwhelmed By the Size of the Task A. Note the state of the Decay 1. situations in our own life 2. 45 ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 3:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Solitary City Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 9, 2025

This sermon explores the profound grief, acknowledged sin, and desperate appeal to God found in Jerusalem's lament following its destruction.

Introduction We open our Bibles today to a book of tears, to a funeral song for a city. The book of Lamentations opens not with a shout of praise, but with a gasp of grief. The prophet, traditionally held to be Jeremiah, looks out over the smoking ruins of Jerusalem—the city of David, the home of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Part 5 - Thomas And The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Rev. Bruce A. Shields on Jun 12, 2006

Part 5 - Thomas and the Holy Spirit

40 Days with the Lord Part 5 – Thomas and the Holy Spirit Rev. Bruce A. Shields First Baptist Church of Tawas City Michigan www.tawasbaptist.org WELCOME INTRODUCTION Let us review where we began a few weeks ago. It was Sunday evening, and Jesus had appeared to the disciples. They thought ...read more

Scripture: John 24:20-25

Denomination: Bible Church

What Do You Do When Your Wine Runs Out?

Contributed by Kirk Devine on Jul 6, 2001

Many times in life, we find ourselves trapped and emgulfed in the hustle and bustle of life often "burning the candle at both ends." This message is designed to encourage the believer to trust God to get things back into perspective.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOUR WINE RUNS OUT? JOHN 2:1-10 I have discovered that when it comes to managing our time, many of us are not good stewards…! Many of us both in and out of the church oftentimes find ourselves burning the candle at both ends… And because we find ourselves not using our time ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light That Changed The World

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Apr 8, 2007

The light of the world has come. He has risen.

The Light that Changed the World John 20:1-18 April 8, 2007 Easter Sunday How many government bureaucrats does it take to screw in a light bulb? None. They contract out for things like that. How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? Four. One to change it and three to deny ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Methodist

"Eyewitness News"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 27, 2002

An Easter sermon.

Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 “Eyewitness News” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA The news department of almost every television station dubs itself: Eyewitness News. The apostles were also eyewitness reporters to the greatest news in the history ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18

Denomination: United Methodist

National Revival That Began With The Butler

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 8, 2015

The Book of Nehemiah tells the amazing story of how a National Revival was ushered in through a Butler. A Butler is usually the bad guy in thrillers or a dull person, but here we have the most unusual Butler in history.

NATIONAL REVIVAL THAT BEGAN WITH THE BUTLER Neh. 1:1-2:18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. There are a lot of people who need revival! 2. One lady, Vickie, called a lawyer’s office in the Yellow Pages. She made an appointment with their Family Law department. 3. "How can I help you, madam?" asks ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Simeon: The Importance Of The Spirit-Filled Life Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Dec 16, 2015

Living the Spirit-Filled life is essential to knowing God's direction in life.

We have made note of how this passage speaks of three sets of individuals who are each an example of what needs to be true of us if we are going to be in on what God is doing in our world in our day. Last time, we spoke of the importance of our living the Word-filled life, as we considered the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Baptist