Sermons on Empty Praise:

God’s Reset Button

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 17, 2010

Paul always looked for the hidden blessing in every trial. Have you been complaining about your situation? Grumbling short-circuits faith, but joy revives it.

Are you trapped in a prison of despair, doubt or anxiety? Learn to release the power of praise. The apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians is one of the Bible’s most unique books. Some scholars call it "the epistle of joy" because the word "joy" or "rejoice" appear in it 16 times. Yet what is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Philemon 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No! Not That! (Habakkuk) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 19, 2025

When God baffles you, trust Him, Fear Him, and Praise Him.

Jill Briscoe, a pastor’s wife and author, talks about babysitting one of their three, 3-year-old grandchildren several years ago. In their family, they had twins and a single birth all within 24 hours. They called them Search, Destroy, and Demolition. She was babysitting Demolition. As Jill waved ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17, Habakkuk 2:1-20, Habakkuk 3:1-19, 1 Peter 2:23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Expected Resurrection Easter 2021

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Apr 7, 2021

When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty , she didn't leave like the others. She was expecting a resurrection.

EASTER 2021 EXPECTED RESURRECTION Pastor Timothy Porter TEXT: Mark 16:1-8 INTRODUCTION: I just stopped by to declare unto you that I just checked my watch. It's not night anymore. Church, it's morning. Wipe the tears out of your eyes, and praise our God, because he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

More Than Cheerleaders Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 27, 2015

This is the gift that greases the gears of the church. Without this gift a congregation becomes lifeless and empty. What is this gift, and why is it so important to God's church family.

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnVuqfXohxc I’ve been waiting months to use that clip. It’s clever. It’s cute. And whether you realize it or not – it is deeply theological. Think about it… what did it show? It showed lot of animals that don’t ordinarily ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Asaph's Wilderness

Contributed by Dan Cale on Feb 12, 2005

This message deals with wilderness experiences in life and how Asaph the praise leader of Israel dealt with them.

Asaph¡¦s Wilderness Psalm 77 Tonight I want to talk to you about the wilderness. The wilderness is a place of Spiritual Dryness ¡V of emptiness that takes the soul. Asaph who wrote this psalm was in the wilderness. Asaph - was the worship leader for Israel. A famous and skilled musician King ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-20

Denomination: *other

The Story Of Ruth - A Heroine In Search Of A Home Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The major motif to watch for as you work your way through this story is a movement from emptiness, famine, and death to fullness, plenty, and life.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: As you walk down the red carpet, a frenzied mob swarms around you, demanding your autograph. The reporters are snapping your picture, nearly blinding you. Every ten feet, a television crew stops you for an interview. Have you just become the hottest newest star? ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Jesus Stood Still

Contributed by Pastor/Author: Terry Sisney on Jul 31, 2002

Jesus stands still where ever desperate sincere faith reaches him, and when he stands still miracles happen.

Jesus Came to Jericho and left Jericho (This is an illustration of what I said this morning, that if we do not prepare ourselves for his presence, He will come and go, and We will not receive anything. One blind man by the name of bartemaeus was willing to reveal his emptiness, He was willing to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Denomination: Pentecostal

God Is Our Refuge And Strength

Contributed by Craig Condon on Aug 20, 2016

When we take time to praise God, fear, doubt and frustration fade. Praising God doesn’t mean that our problems aren’t serious or that our problems won’t go away, but praising God forces us to lift our eyes to God.

Have you ever been afraid? It doesn’t have to be an occasion when you were physically scared. It can be an occasion where you were afraid for your health or your finances or even for a loved one. How did you feel? How did you react? There are different ways to react. Some say God is dead. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6

Denomination: Anglican

Use The Name Jesus!

Contributed by Charles Degner on May 2, 2003

We should use the name of Jesus often and boldly, both in our prayers, and in our praise.

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:8-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Thirsting For God

Contributed by Clarence Clough on Oct 5, 2012

All those loyal to God rejoice in and praise Him.We praise Him for those times when He steps in to guide us in resolving our struggles with the enemy of our souls

THIRSTING FOR GOD TEXT: Psalm 63:1-8 (KJV) (A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.) "O God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so [as] ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Church Of God

Celebrate And Live Your Faith

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 26, 2008

Do you have joy in your life? Not happiness or contentment but joy. Is there a wellspring in you that overflows every now and then with praise for God, praise for what Jesus has done with you as a person.

Celebrate and Live Your Faith Reading - Leviticus 23:1-14 Study – Chapter 23 Are you the kind of person that gets excited about belonging to Jesus? Do you find there are times in your life when you celebrate your faith rather than live it? Maybe my questions confuse you. After all we are all ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:1-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Give Thanks For All Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Dec 26, 2019

Psalm 136 is a beautiful Psalm to read at the year-end and think of our own life and praise the Lord. Reasons are given why we need to praise Him and say that the Lord is Good.

Psalm 136 “Give Thanks” Introduction: This Psalm was probably composed by David and given to the Levites to sing every day (1 Chronicles 16:41) in the temple as a responsive Hymn. “Great Hallel” (Great Psalm of Praise): A solemn prayer of thanksgiving, it was sung traditionally at the ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

The Church In Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 15, 2007

Believers today should praise God for the blessings He has given the church in Jesus Christ.

1. God has a plan for His church in Christ. 2. God makes provision for His church in Christ 3. God fulfils a purpose for His church in Christ 4. God keeps a promise for His church in Christ Some people have called Ephesians “God’s love letter to the church.” So, since God is still God, and we are ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

Between The Times

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 30, 2023

It is possible to live praising God even before we see his promised redemption.

At one point while preparing this sermon I was tempted just to read the article I picked for my closing illustration and sit down. It’s a sermon in itself, and illustrates exactly what I had to say about this passage of Isaiah. But after thinking it over, I felt that the least I could do was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-13, Isaiah 24:1-6, Isaiah 25:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Rejoice Not! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 15, 2025

God calls us to turn from empty pursuits and return to Him, the true source of joy, healing, and restoration through honest prayer and repentance.

Friends, would you take a deep breath and settle your heart for a moment? Picture a field at sunset. The stalks are golden, the air is warm, and the farmer stands at the edge of the rows with calloused hands and a quiet hope. He longs for a good harvest, a full barn, a happy table. We understand ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 9:1-17

Topics: Lost Joy, Spiritual Drought