Sermons on Empty Seat:

Renewed Vision

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on May 20, 2025

This New Year’s Eve sermon challenges believers to reflect on perseverance through hardship and to anchor their goals not just in ambition, but in the eternal path, presence, and pleasures found in Christ.

Not Giving Up As I was preparing for today, I just want to share with you where my heart was yesterday as I was preparing for this morning: we had a hundred opportunities this year to quit. We had a hundred opportunities to quit on Jesus. Maybe you were disappointed and you clung to him. Maybe you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11, Psalm 119:103-105, John 14:6, John 4:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Victory In The Jaws Of Defeat Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 25, 2025

When you feel defeated, hear God’s message of grace to you, humble yourself before Him, and hope in your ultimate victory.

At first glance, Rolf Klasson, a gray-haired Swede who hobbles around on his walker, looked like an easy target. At least that's what two would-be robbers thought as they threatened him at an ATM machine. One of the thugs waved a knife while the other thug told Klasson to turn over his wallet. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 26:1-6, Ezekiel 26:15-16, Ezekiel 27:1-27, Ezekiel 28:1-19, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Proverbs 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:14, Isaiah 14:12-15, Revelation 20:7-10, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Changed By Hope!

Contributed by Mike Hays on Oct 18, 2000

God's love can change us from people without hope to the most hopeful people on the planet.

Changed By Hope! 1 John 2:28-3:3 Hope and hopelessness are more than opposites. Their characteristics are more defined than night and day. Anyone who has ever experienced the depths of hopelessness can easily attest to how oppressive and soul-shattering hopelessness can be. On the other hand, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making Things Right When Things Go Wrong 

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 18, 2000

The Lord can make things right when things go wrong.

INTRO.- ILL.- A man by the name of George owned an apartment complex and had just completed the exterior brick work on the 2nd floor. He had some bricks left over and was trying to decide the best way to get the load of bricks back down to the ground level without breaking them. He noticed a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Sun (Son) Of Righteousness

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 2, 2000

A look at our circumstances and their impact on our relationship with our Lord.

The Sun (Son) of Righteousness Malachi 3:13-4:6 Two men are standing on the front lawn of a church. One man is leaning on the church’s sign and the other is looking at it from the front. The sign reads: Oak Road Bible Believing, Hand Clapping, Foot Stomping, Hemlines Below The Knee, Tie Wearing, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Answering The Call (Part I) Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on Nov 7, 2000

This sermon looks at the relationship between works and growing disciples. You can’t mature without serving and service requires a disciple.

Answering The Call (Part I) The Open Door John 4: 35 "Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 "And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for ...read more

Scripture: John 4:35-38, John 15:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Sower's Diagnosis

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Nov 13, 2000

In this simple parable the great physician offers listeners a straight-forward heart exam.

(A note to those reading this material: This manuscript follows the presentation of the material as it was originally given. What may be difficult to tell by just reading the original text is the presence of a thick, southern accent – deliberately used in the introduction to make the material more ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:2-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bless The Lord

Contributed by Lindsey Mann on Jun 2, 2006

A study of Psalm 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul: Bless means to make someone happy, make someone enviable, and to make someone prosperous. When we worship and honour the Lord we actually make Him happy, enviable and prosperous. Sounds absurd doesn’t it? There is Almighty God, totally self reliant and self ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Truth About Islam

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Aug 3, 2005

This message delivers the distinguishing marks between Christianity and Islam; Mohammed and Jesus. In a day of constant Islamic Terrorist Threats this message will seek to prepare the believer for a biblical defense.

WHOSE SERMON IS IT ANYWAY? “The Truth About Islam” Acts 9:1-8 - ©Dr. Larry L. Thompson (2005) Introduction: On September 11, 2001 our nation and our world was rocked as Islamic fundamentalism found it’s way inside our borders and attacked at the very heart of our economy. On Thursday, July 7, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Essence Of God #5 Series

Contributed by Clyde White on Aug 12, 2005

Tragically, our limited human reasoning concludes that -- If God is a God of absolute justice, then He must be sitting up in heaven waiting to clobber us. That would have some validity, However, among those qualities of God’s essence, is also Love.

God’s plan for the human race has been and always will be redemption. This plan of God was in place even before God formed the world on which mankind lives this temporal life. It is important to know and understand this fact, not only to understand the person of God, BUT also to have a proper ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:26

What On Earth Am I Here For? Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Aug 26, 2005

If you ask, “Is there a purpose for me?” then I might ask you, “Is your heart beating?” See, if your heart is still beating, then God has a purpose for you.

To live the American Dream? To be happy? To be successful? To rock and roll? To express yourself? A Yale philosophy student who didn’t even want to take a stab at answering the question? We have some work to do here in NE Ohio! Want to find out how to find our purpose? I did a search in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Baptist

Where Change Begins Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 2, 2005

Frankly, some of us are stuck. The same arguments with your wife. Trying to break the habit of cursing and can’t. Computer pornography is choking out your spiritual life. Your kids can predict when you are going to start yelling at them. There’s no mo

I’ve lived here in NE Ohio for 18 years. I’ve never been stuck in the snow… until December. I was in a hurry to get to the office. And got stuck just around bend from our house. Being stuck was definitely not OK. I walked back home to get Ryan. I asked a neighbor to help. Before it was all ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is Like A Box Of Chocolates Series

Contributed by Tim Richards on Sep 3, 2005

The 3rd sermon in a series on gaining an eternal perspective on life.

Introduction: 1. A few years ago one of the biggest movies of the year was "Forest Gump." Actor Tom Hanks played the role of a handicapped man whose mother believed in him to the extent that he was willing to try anything. He would often quote one of his mother’s favorite lines. "My mother says ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Mindset For Ministry Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon using Jesus example to articualte foundations for sound ministry.

Mindset for Ministry Fortifying the Foundations # 30 John 13:1-20[1] 3-14-04 In 1904 the heir to the Borden Dairy Estate, William Borden, graduated from Chicago High School a millionaire. His parents gave him a trip around the world. During that trip he became burdened for all the hurting ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-20

Denomination: Charismatic

Turbulence Calmed Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

Expository sermon dealing with how Jesus comforted disciples in their disappointment and revealtion concerning heaven.

Turbulence Calmed Fortifying the Foundations # 32 John 14:1-14[1] 4-11-04 “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Jesus spoke those words to his disciples at a time when there were some good reasons to be troubled. This is the night before the crucifixion. Jesus has told them that he is going ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-14

Denomination: Charismatic