Sermons on Empty Jar:

Giving

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 14, 2022

Jesus teaches us a strange math, that when we give to others, we gain more back than we gave.

It was a very long time ago that I learned the basic math facts in school. If I have two hymnals, and I can find people to give me two more hymnals, how many hymnals will I have? Four. I came out ahead. And now that I have four hymnals, if I give one away, how many will I have? Only 3. I’ve ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:37-42

Can You Have Faith Without Hope?

Contributed by Derrick Thompson, Sr. on Oct 25, 2013

Can faith exist without hope? When God gives us a promise, do we accept it by faith? Do we keep hope alive that the promise will be fulfilled? So, can you have faith without hope....? Let's find out.

Church of God in Harvey Sunday Morning, August 7th, 2011 Let us pray Welcome…. “O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118: 1) Has God been good to you, despite all that has been going on? If we are depending on the stock ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:17-25

Denomination: Church Of God

A Chasing After The Wind

Contributed by Melvin Newland on May 4, 2015

Let's look at the Book of Ecclesiastes & review some of the things that Solomon tells us about his life - when he came to the edge of the cliff, what he saw, & the conclusions he reached.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK ILL. Billy Graham once wrote, "I've met so many entertainment stars whose day is past. How unhappy & lonely & empty they feel. I've talked with many athletes & former political leaders who feel the same way. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

5: Speaking The Truth In Love Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Oct 25, 2019

Churches can become deeply dishonest as we fear to talk about the deepest longings and pains in our hearts. We grow when we dare to be honest together.

Back in 1997 a Jim Carey movie came out called Liar, Liar. Carey plays the title role. He is an attorney, a very successful attorney. But the movie opens with his little boy at school on the day when the children are giving reports on what their fathers do, and his son announces, “My daddy’s a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

A Cunningly Devised Fable? Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Feb 5, 2022

Easter: This message examines a common argument against the resurrection and looks at some simple proofs. We will come to realize that the resurrection did indeed happen, and that it is far from being a cunningly devised fable.

I wish to begin our message with a quote. Virginia, minister once stated, “We have closed our minds to such trivial considerations as the question of the resurrection of Christ. If you fundamentalists wish to believe that nonsense, we have no objections, but we have more important things to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:11-15, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, 2 Peter 1:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Who Are You Looking For?

Contributed by Imelda Mesa on Sep 27, 2022

Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. This is what separates and makes us unique from other world religions.

Today, Christians all over the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus is alive, and He is alive forever. The ground where Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus laid his body began to shake, and this massive stone that serves as a door to Jesus’ tomb was rolled away. And so when the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Foursquare

Christmas Expectations

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 1, 2018

An advent series focused on our expectations at the Christmas season.

Christmas Expectations! What Difference Does Christmas Make Luke 1:46-55 December 2, 2018 It feels so strange for me to think that the Christmas season has officially begun. Yes, according to stores that started on November 1st, the day after Halloween. To be honest, I’m not really into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

Flesh And Bone

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 19, 2019

Did Jesus literally rise from the dead? Wasn't this a spiritual resurrection? Was it just metaphorical? The answer to this question is life-changing!

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • We are here today to celebrate! • What are we celebrating? Easter eggs, the Easter bunny? Candy? Or some religious experience? • No, folks today we are here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! CAN I GET AN AMEN! • Why is the resurrection a ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-31

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blossom Time

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 30, 2023

Love and life are two sides of the same coin, that where love is life springs up, and life is a sign that love has been there.

This week the flowers decorating the altar are poinsettias. Do you know why? Pepita was a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve services. As she walked to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy. “I am sure, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Rumor Weed

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 4, 2022

Rumors and gossip are things we should avoid at all cost, because the information we spread can be destructive to those individuals when shared with others. Our God is not in the business of tearing down lives, but restoring them.

I’ve entitled our message for this morning “The Rumor Weed,” based on a Veggie Tale’s song. On one episode of Veggie Tales, Junior Asparagus and Laura Carrot learned just how easily rumors can get started when they accidentally launched a whopper of a tale about Larry-Boy’s butler, Alfred, being a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Complete In Jesus

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Mar 9, 2022

Have you ever questioned your salvation? As long as we keep our trust totally in Christ, we stand assured of God’s promise of eternal life. But as soon as we rest any weight on the thin ice of our own efforts, we topple into insecurity.

Have you ever wondered about your salvation; about whether or not you are going to heaven when you die? Some questions we might have are, “What am I supposed to do in order to gain God’s acceptance and love?” “Do I have to read the Bible all the way through?” “Do I have to knock on a million ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-23, Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Road Back Home Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jul 3, 2025

The prodigal son’s life choices left him in need of care; his benevolent father lovingly welcomed him home.

The Road Back Home Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult Turn / Repentance / Luke 15:11–24 The prodigal son’s life choices left him in need of care; his benevolent father lovingly welcomed him home. INTRODUCTION OPENING SLIDE • Leaving home is something of a natural process of growing up. • With that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Repent & Believe! Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 19, 2024

Why is repentance so important... and why did Jesus follow telling His audience that they needed to include belief with that repentance?

About 10 years ago, there was a 67-year-old Belgian woman named Sabine Moreau. She had left home to travel about 1 ½ hours to Brussels (the capital city of Belgium). TWO DAYS LATER, after having crossed five international borders, she found herself in Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Breathing In The Spirit! Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 16, 2024

A series looking at being our serious about God.

Breathing in the Spirit 1 John 5:1-5 February 17, 2024 Story about snorkeling off the Florida Keys Coral Reef Couldn’t see people / boat only saw coral Hard to breathe with a snorkel (TELL YOUR OWN STORY ABOUT STRUGGLING TO BREATHE) Has something like that ever happened to you? Maybe it was ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5, Romans 8:31-39

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting God In Every Season

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 31, 2025

Trusting God in Every Season calls us to forsake counterfeit securities and place our full trust in the sovereign, faithful, and incomparable God who alone carries His people through every trial and triumph.

Trusting God in Every Season Isaiah 46 The human heart craves stability. In a world rocked by uncertainty, we're all searching for something solid—a place to stand when the winds howl and the waves crash. When life becomes turbulent, we instinctively look for shelter—a refuge that can hold. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist