Sermons on Empty Seat:

The Comfortable Cross Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 28, 2014

Many baptized believers attempt to avoid offending the world by not standing up for the cross because they feel they'd risk too much by doing so. But we've died supposedly died to this world and its attractions. How can we do that?

OPEN: Clarence Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament was getting a red-carpet tour of another preacher’s church. With pride the minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Crushing Of Gethsemane Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

I’ve never had major surgery, but I’ve been told many times by patients that the worst part of major surgery was waiting for it. It’s the dread that is often worse than the experience itself. Just imagine the dread Jesus experienced that night.

INTRODUCTION Easter is four weeks away. During this time, I’m tracing the last 94 hours before the disciples discovered the empty tomb. The countdown started with the Last Supper when Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Passover meal. After spending about four hours at this meal, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

The Sovereign's Sufficiency

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Nov 2, 2014

A sermon that reviews the sufficiency of God in everything that He provides for His children.

"The Sovereign's Sufficiency" Psalm 23:1-6 Psalms 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

The Trials & Paradoxes Of Ministry Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 18, 2014

Those who serve through the difficulties of life & ministry find that God¡¯s grace produces dignity in them & glory for God.

2 CORINTHIANS 6: 3-10 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series] THE TRIALS AND PARADOXES OF MINISTRY [Romans 5:1-5 / 14: ] With an outburst of passion, noble Christian service is described. For those who receive the grace of God, and allow it to carry out its intended working, there is a moving into ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Fairy Tale Of Prayer

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 20, 2014

Your life is NOT a fairy tale and "pray continually" needs to be woven into the fabric of your daily life.

THE FAIRY TALE OF PRAYER 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (fairytales4u.com/story/jackand.htm) Once upon a time there lived a poor widow who had an only son named Jack. She was very poor, for times had been hard, and Jack was too young to work. Almost all the furniture of the little ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Discontented Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Dec 2, 2014

Most people will agree in principle that the one who gives is more blessed than the one who receives. But they still struggle with giving – often because they can’t give. They have too many bills and are struggling to get by.

Satisfied. Last Sunday I began a series of messages called “Satisfied.” that is about money – except it’s not really about money. It’s about life. In that message I pointed out three lies that sounded like truths and three truths that sounded like lies. Three lies The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Christmas Without Grace Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Dec 21, 2014

Grace is evident throughout the Christmas story, what would Christmas look like without grace?

A Christmas without Grace If you think of Grace at all at Christmas it probably relates to the short prayer that you will say over the dead bird at Christmas Dinner and you probably wouldn’t necessarily think of Amazing Grace as a Christmas song but you can’t really celebrate the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

Denomination: Wesleyan

Bridges And Ditches: People Of The Way (Sermon #2 Of 5) Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jan 11, 2015

The reason the first century church turned the world upside down was not because of some religio-socio-economic “perfect storm” that made their message ripe for the but rather it was the fixed and unswerving centrality of Jesus Christ as their message.

Welcome & Call to Worship Good morning. We are honored that you have chosen to worship with us today. In September of 1985, The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported a celebration of a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-2

Denomination: Nazarene

A Day At The Beach, Because You Say So Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Jan 19, 2014

This is message is about Peter going from an observer to a participant.

A Day at the Beach Because you say so Have you ever been tired? I mean, dead beat tired? They had fished all night and caught nothing, nada, zip and they were exhausted, but there was still work to do. The nets had to be washed to get the seaweed and guck out and everything had to be put away ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Christ's Redemptive Sufferings Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jan 19, 2014

Christians are called to follow Christ's example in suffering even while doing what is right. Christ Himself suffered unjustly & left us an example of how to suffer & that good can be brought about through suffering.

1 PETER 2: 21-25 [Renewing Hope Series] THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST'S REDEMPTIVE SUFFERINGS [Luke 24:25-27; 44-47 / Matthew 5:9-12] In Peter 2:21-25 God redirects the attention of suffering Christians to the sufferings of Christ. By looking to Jesus the Christian who suffers unjustly receives ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Baptist

If I’d Known Grandkids Were This Great, I Would Have Had Them First

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 27, 2014

Focus on Abraham's faith and how we can consciously apply such faith to some area of life that is dependent upon God.

It began when he was 75. God’s first call to Abram came with a look into the future. "I will make you a great nation." (12:2-3). So Abram packed up and left, just as God told him to do. He arrived in Shechem, and once again God told him it was coming: "To your descendants I will give ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thank God For The Go-Between! Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 27, 2014

Our great need for a mediator is met in the work of Jesus Christ. This sermon focuses on Job's realization of this need and points us to every person's need for a mediator.

I want to know Jesus, don’t you? I want to see Him from different angles. I want to hear Him described by different people. I want to see the different ways He has touched other people. Today we begin a series of messages for the month that will have us looking at Jesus – only ...read more

Scripture: Job 9:32-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Something Has To Give Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 28, 2014

A book sermon to introduce a series through Philippians - looking at it from the perspective of our stewardship. Genuine joy involves a personal decision to have godly priorities.

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross was using helicopters to fly in supplies to residents. One crew had been working day after day--long hours. They were on their way home late ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Know Jesus?

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Feb 9, 2014

A sermon examining the importance of knowing Jesus.

Do You Know Him? Matthew 28:1-6 Regardless of your belief concerning Jesus Christ, without question He is the most famous individual to ever walk the face of the earth. But for those who truly know Him, we know He is much more than that. If you ask someone "who is Jesus?" you may get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

God's Type Of Romance

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 15, 2014

How to establish Godly Relationships

February 16, 2014 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to obtain his vessel in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Lutheran