Sermons on Empty Phrases:

It Adds Up Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 23, 2017

One of the problems in too many churches is the issue of "Whose church is this?" The answer to that question is summed up in this simple phrase: "The Lord Adds to His Church." What can that mean to us and how can it change how the church functions?

OPEN: How many people were baptized into Christ at Pentecost? (about 3000 souls) That story in Acts has inspired many churches, evangelists, missionaries and 1000s of others to attempt to reach as many as they can to bring more and more people to Christ. One such church was one from New Jersey ...read more

Scripture: John 1:12-13, Acts 2:36-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Dark Night Of The Soul

Contributed by Dr. John D. Wentworth on Jan 6, 2022

The phrase “dark night of the soul” comes from a poem by St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), a Spanish Carmelite monk. According to the poet, the “dark night of the soul” is synonymous with traveling the “narrow way” that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14.

TITLE: THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL TEXT: 2 Cor. 4:7-10 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Not Far From The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 5, 2022

You've heard the phrase, "close but no cigar". It communicates that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where he tells him that he was not far from the kingdom of God.

NOT FAR FROM THE KINGDOM OF GOD Mark 12:28-34 You've heard phrases like, "close but no cigar" or “almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades”. These communicate that getting almost there is not good enough. Jesus had an encounter with a teacher of the law in Mark 12 where at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34, Luke 10:25-29, Philippians 3:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fire In My Bones Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 14, 2025

The phrase “fire in my bones” comes from the prophet Jeremiah's intense feeling of God’s Word burning within him. Despite facing rejection, imprisonment, and mockery, Jeremiah could not suppress the message God gave him.

FIRE IN MY BONES By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Jeremiah 20:9 Supporting Texts: Acts 2:3-4, Luke 24:32, 1 Kings 18:38, Romans 12:11 INTRODUCTION: The phrase “fire in my bones” comes from the prophet Jeremiah's intense feeling of God’s Word burning within him. Despite facing rejection, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9, Acts 2:3-4, Luke 24:32, 1 Kings 18:38, Romans 12:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Lord's Prayer 3 - The Pattern Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Aug 18, 2024

Sometime we repeat prayers over and over again and do not stop to think about what we are saying. The Lord's prayer falls into this category - we need to stop and think about each phrase and use it as our prayer.

The Pattern of prayer Sometimes when we say something in worship perhaps we do not stop and think what we are actually saying and when we do we wonder what on earth do we mean by that? Even though we might have been saying the same things over and over again we do not really think about what we ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Luke 11:2, Matthew 6:9, 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Prayer (2) The Lord's Prayer, Part 1

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Jun 14, 2020

Before giving us a model of how we should pray, in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us about two ways we should not pray - not hypocritically, and not babbling.

14 June 2020 Rosebery Park Baptist Church, Boscombe, Bournemouth, UK ** PRE-TALK I think most of us have been following the news about the racial conflict in the United States following the death of George Floyd in police custody. Yesterday, there was a large ‘Black Lives Matter’ demonstration ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-9

Denomination: Baptist

Be Still Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2016

People seem to be afraid of silence. They do anything to fill their lives with noise and avoid the emptiness. But God says "Be still and know that I am God." What can that mean to us and how can we go about doing it?

How many of you have ever heard the term: “Circuit Riders”? Circuit Riders were preachers back in the 1700s and 1800s who would ride from church to church and hold services. There were more churches than preachers in that day and a Circuit Rider would travel from congregation to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Is The Resurrection Believable?

Contributed by Francis Camacho on Jul 9, 2002

4 Credible Evidences. Before we can prove the resurrection, we need to prove that Christ actually died, that the tomb was empty, that the resurrected Christ actually appeared to many, and that there were profound differences in the life of the witnesses.

Is the Resurrection Believable? 4 Credible Evidences 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Citation: Case For Christ by Lee Strobel 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 1Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, that you received and on which you stand 2and by which you are being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Panic Room

Contributed by Carla Powell on Apr 20, 2002

References the movie "Panic Room" (Jodie Foster). Recalls the disciples’ reaction to hide out in a locked room after finding the tomb empty. The "Panic Room" can be both a safe haven and a well-fortressed prison.

"Panic Room" - Easter 2A April 7, 2002 - John 20:19-31 This week I saw the newly-released movie "Panic Room". In this movie, "Jodie Foster plays a wealthy single mom with a teenage daughter. They buy a fancy brownstone in NYC that has a ’panic room’, a fortified hi-tech room in the center of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-31

Denomination: Lutheran

How To Be Comforted

Contributed by Brad Rigney on Jun 13, 2006

This sermon is about how God wants us to empty our cups of the hurts we experience in life. God is the God of all comfort but also has a prescription for us to help each other deal with the hurts.

How to Find Comfort: Stopping the Overflow of Life’s Hurts 2Corinthains 1:3-7 Pastor Brad Rigney Intro.: A. God created us to be in relationship with People – Gen. 2 – “It is not good that man is alone…” Yet, in relationship with others (Parents, Spouses, Siblings, Friends, Co-workers, children, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Adventist

Spirittual Zombies? Compssion Fatique?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 17, 2006

SOME OF OUR WORSE ATTITUDES ARE NOT PLANNED, THEY JUST EVOLVE. I often say: EVEN A DEAD FISH CAN SWIM DOWN STREAM! Are we actively pursuing God’s plan or are we empty zombies?

SPIRITUAL ZOMBIES? COMPASSION FATIQUE? TALKERS BUT NEVER DOERS. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them ...read more

Scripture: James 2:15-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Sting Or A Saint?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2010

An empty niche above the church door, made for a statue of a saint, but now containing a hornet’s nest, suggests the choice of letting our lives be empowered by God or letting the sting of death and disappointment take over.

The other day I was hauling in a load of stuff from my car. I came in the Aspen Street entrance to the building, the entrance nearest my office. For some reason, as I was carrying things through the door, I looked up above my head, probably to implore the Lord to give me an extra ounce of muscle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

I Have Seen The Lord

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Jul 21, 2009

Peter and John returned to their homes after seeing the empty tomb. Mary Magadalene, on the other hand, tarried at the tomb longing to see Jesus. As a result she could proclaim to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord."

I Have Seen the Lord Introduction Good to be back from vacation- and yes, contrary to last weeks speaker, I did take a vacation. I do understand where Pastor Jay is coming from- many Christians do not have a sense of laboring in the fields or building God’s Kingdom. I do believe it is good to ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Charismatic

Full - Pt. 2 - Thank Full Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 26, 2017

We prefer full over empty! Jesus says He came that we might have abundant (full) life. Do we? Do we even know what we should be full of?

Full Pt. 2 - Thank Full I. Introduction At the start of new year I have challenged you to examine your own life and determine whether or not you are full. Your "fullness" will determine what overflows to every area of your life. Our difficulty is that we will do our very best to fill anything ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

Full - Pt. 3 - Purpose Full Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Jan 26, 2017

We prefer full over empty! Jesus says He came that we might have abundant (full) life. Do we? Do we even know what we should be full of?

Full Pt. 3 - Purpose Full I. Introduction Are you full? If so, what are you full of? Your "fullness" will determine what overflows to every area of your life. And yet the truth is that if we find ourselves closer to the "e" than the "f" we are in the majority. In a recent study of 1,000 churches ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-49

Denomination: Pentecostal