Sermons on Empty Jar:

Vessels, Vessels, Vessels

Contributed by Babatunde Olugboji on Jul 22, 2008

This sermon explores the concept of treasure in earthen vessels, within the concept of preaching the gospel

This message is about vessels! I am sure you must have guessed from the title. Our main bible text is from 2 Corinthians 4: 7-9: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Bring Me Another Vessel

Contributed by Samuel M on Sep 24, 2024

God's oil was overflowing, but her expectations or limitations stopped the flow of oil. She did not prepare for a great miracle by gathering many vessels. She prepared by gathering vessels based on her expectation (or limitation) just expecting a (small) miracle.

So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:2-7

Buy Oil While The Sun Shines Series

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jul 27, 2003

Parables of Eternal Life, Part 8 of 9

BUY OIL WHILE THE SUN SHINES (MATTHEW 25:1-13) A good friend called me shortly on the Saturday afternoon exactly a week before the day of my wedding. He asked hesitatingly, “What are you doing?” I sensed something was not right and asked him what he meant. After a brief pause he asked meekly: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Woes, Salt, Light And The Law Series

Contributed by Ron Tuit on Feb 25, 2013

Jesus describes the drastic contrasts people of the world from people of The Kingdom of God in His Sermon on the Mount.

Woes, Salt, Light and the Law Luke 6:24-26, Matthew 5:13-20 OUTLINE: “Woes, Salt, Light and Law” Luke 6:24-26, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Father Seeks True Worshippers Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Apr 30, 2012

The Holy Spirit, truth, worship

THE FATHER SEEKS TRUE WORSHIPERS April 24, 2022 John 4:19-26 INTRODUCTION: As we talk about living a life of worship I’ve thought about one of the most under-preached and misunderstood conceptions of God. 99.9% of us here this morning are familiar with John 3:16, “God loved this world so much that ...read more

Scripture: John 4:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Raising Kids Who Mind Without Losing Yours

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 16, 2017

God calls us to raise up a generation of victorious Christian youth who will make wise choices, have strong convictions, know their boundaries, have strong faith in God and a passion for the lost. Here's the blueprint.

RAISING KIDS WHO MIND WITHOUT LOSING YOURS INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: TEACHERS KNOW - KIDS ARE QUICK 1. TEACHER: “Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?” DONALD: “H I J K L M N O.” TEACHER: “What are you talking about?” DONALD: “Yesterday you said it's H to O.” 2. TEACHER: ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Pain Of Truth Decay

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Sep 2, 2019

Understanding Biblical truth in a post-truth world

The 2018 notable quote of the year came from Rudy Giuliani, an American politician who said, “Truth isn’t truth”. He meant that there are lots of versions of the truth, different versions called “alternative facts”. We live in a post-truth world. Unfortunately “truth” in the 21st century has a very ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"The Sword Of The Lord" Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 28, 2002

God frequently trims our resources to get us to depend entirely on Him. When we’re serving in God’s army we become part of the “overwhelming minority.”

“The Sword of the Lord" Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Many of us are familiar with the management concept of downsizing—we’re told to “do more with less”. However, nations don’t usually downsize when preparing for war! They mobilize their reserves ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:1-25

Denomination: Congregational

Meeting God Down A Rabbit Trail Series

Contributed by Mark Winter on Jan 17, 2003

God stands at the end of our rabbit trails when we have exhausted all human options

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “going down a rabbit trail.” Wild rabbits don’t like to saunter down Main Street; they prefer bolting down trails leading deep into the woods. (By the way, jackrabbits are capable of speeds up to 40 mph to evade predators). To go down a “rabbit trail,” then, means ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:2-10, Psalm 139:7-10

Denomination: Methodist

The Clock Radio And The Alarm Clock

Contributed by Michael Tkachuk on Jan 3, 2005

Whatever direction our spiritual life takes, can depend greatly on whether we are asleep or awake.

The Clock Radio and the Alarm Clock When morning breaks and it’s time to rise and shine, is your clock radio set to stir you gently out of bed with soft music or are you rudely awakened and jarred out of bed with loud clanging noises of an alarm clock? And as much as you would like to hit ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-18

Denomination: Catholic

The Truth Behind Star Wars

Contributed by Randy Croft on Nov 15, 2002

Star Wars, the movie, pales in comparison with the Earth Wars we’re experiencing today.

The Truth behind Star Wars by Randy Croft I was driving for work near Niagara Falls one day and spotted America’s favorite spot...Taco Bell. I drove around, found a parking spot, and walked in to order my two all bean patties, special sauce, onions, chesse, and pickles on a sesame seed ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Water Becomes Wine!”

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jan 26, 2010

“Water Becomes Wine!” What of it? Does Jesus’ miracle of changing water into wine matter when you stack it up against other miracles of Jesus?

Name three miracles of Jesus that were the most powerful and beneficial of all the miracles he performed. (Ask for a few responses from the council members.) His resurrection. The raising of Lazarus. Calming wind and wave so that he saved his disciples from drowning. Those are the three miracles I ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Beautiful Acts For God

Contributed by Palitha Jayasooriya on Aug 27, 2014

The sermon talks about doing beautiful and selfless acts to glorify God and bless others.

Beautiful Acts for God (Mark 14:3-9) Introduction – There is a story of a child who was slow in learning and did poorly in her first grade in school. However, when she started grade 2, her grades started to improve dramatically. The reason: her new teacher, on the first day of school, would ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:3-9

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time--32nd Sunday, Year A-- Byoo Bring Your Own Oil

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 6, 2020

You bring your own oil when you realize that you have no control over the moment of the groom's arrival and it may be a while, but when he arrives, it will be a surprise. Rev. 22:7 says, “I am coming back quickly.”

Thanks to Troy Borst for the phrase B.y.o.o. (Bring Your Own Oil) 1. You bring your own oil when you realize that you have no control over the moment of the groom's arrival and it may be a while, but when he arrives, it will be a surprise. Rev. 22:7 says, “I am coming back quickly.” It ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Catholic