Sermons on Empty Seat:

Peace...strength To Hold On Series

Contributed by Rhonda Feurtado on Dec 13, 2013

This is a sermon for the second Sunday of Advent, focusing on God's peace. It is part of a 4 week series from "rethink Church"

Peace…strength to hold on Many of our Christmas songs have something in common, let’s see if we can find it in these samples of lyrics– “peace on the earth good will to all, prince of peace”, “sleep in heavenly peace”, “peace on earth and mercy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

Why In The World Did You Come To Worship Today?

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Feb 22, 2001

Why in the world do we come to worship, when there are movies to watch, games to go to, and web pages to surf?

In a television program I watch, there is an episode in which the minister stood up before the congregation. It was a vast sanctuary -- but it was almost empty. The minister looked out upon all of the empty seats and surveyed the 4 lonely people in the congregation -- one young man, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Feel My Pain Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 14, 2001

Jabez’ name meant "giver of pain" and that may have been part of the reason he prayed as he did. To whom do we give pain and how should that influence our prayers?

Years ago, Johnny Cash sang a song that began with these verses: "My daddy left home when I was 3 and he didn’t leave much to ma and me… just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze. Now I don’t blame him cause he run and hid, but the meanest thing he ever did was before he left, he went and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Soggy Sardine Sandwich

Contributed by Dan Dunn on Dec 1, 2000

Jesus wants what you have, and who you are: when you don’t take the place in the Body of Christ that God has designed for you, that place remains empty.

You have perhaps experienced as I have, that life can be humbling sometime. A five-year-old was sitting with her grandfather in her room one day, and she asked him, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, child,” came the reply. “God made me.” The child paused for a moment, and then asked, “And ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

A Love That Will Not Let Go

Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Feb 10, 2001

UPDATED 6/1/01 A salvation sermon. Main Idea The greatest act of love ever shown was the cross and the empty tomb; everything else pales by comparison.

A Love that Will Never Let Go Romans 5:8 Introduction: "Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

Wandering In The Spiritual Desert

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 18, 2004

I got the bones of this outline from John Maxwell’s "One Hour With God" devotions. What do we do when we are running on empty?

INTRODUCTION • Have you ever been to the point in your walk with the Lord that just did not seem to be going anywhere? Did you or do you feel like you are wandering in the desert in circles, thirsting for water? • There are times in our lives when we can feel very empty spiritually, we can find ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking Into The Tomb Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 14, 2006

The stone was rolled away from the tomb to allow us to see that the Lord had risen; the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the reason for the church’s existence.

"Looking Into The Tomb" Matthew 28:1-10 May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be alway acceptable, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Friends: Where the gospel according to Matthew ends, the Christian faith begins - in the resurrection of our Lord. None of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

The Wait Is On

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 2, 2011

Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for.

The Wait Is On Advent #1 Nov 27, 2011 Intro: What do the following have in common: • Doctor’s office • Holiday shopping • Connecting flights • Red light • Advent Can you guess? The answer is waiting, and that that is what we are going to explore together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Unfinished Story

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Apr 14, 2009

We have received the same message at the empty tomb as the women did. What will we do with it? Keep it a secret? Run away in fear? Go and tell?

The Unfinished Story Mark 16:1-8 Easter 2009 Do you know the best way to make sure news spreads quickly? Tell someone NOT to tell anyone else! That’s what makes gossip so tempting. We love to hear and share stories about others, especially when we’re not supposed to! Throughout the gospel of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Redemption For A Worthless Slave Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 7, 2011

The only way to the Empty Tomb goes to the Cross where Jesus died. This is the first in a series on what Jesus did for us when he died. (Theories of the Atonement)

Series Introduction: Today we start the countdown to Easter. That’s the highest day in the church year. However, there is only one way to arrive at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday. Like Jesus we need to travel to the cross. For the next 8 weeks we will discover the blessings or benefits we ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

What's Your Pleasure? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 5, 2015

Solomon looked for pleasure in his achievements, his possessions and in his entertainment and yet finds it all to be empty and meaningless. Is there something wrong with seeking pleasure, or is there another problem?

OPEN: It was a 4th of July weekend and the family had gathered for a big meal together. In the kitchen was little 4 year old Johnny… and there on the edge of the cabinet sat the one thing he loved so much. It was a big, round, sure to be juicy, watermelon. He just couldn’t stop staring ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Unique!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 27, 2015

Failures, disappointments, emptiness, hollowness, pain and betrayals are God’s tools for building! Don’t panic! Season of dancing would surely follow!

You are Unique! Psalm 126:5”Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Hey friend, God’s plan is unique in each one’s life! Others stay away when the Master is at work ! Don’t try to give your inputs and foil the plan! Job’s friends tried to give ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Black And White Of Following Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2022

Christ is he who will satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-10, Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

Is Jesus Still Relevant In The Post-Modern Time?

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Oct 5, 2025

We are living in what many call the post-modern age — an age of progress and paradox. We have advanced in knowledge, yet many feel empty inside.

Introduction: The Age of the Unchurched and the Overwhelmed Brothers and sisters in Christ, We are living in what many call the post-modern age — an age of progress and paradox. We have advanced in knowledge, yet many feel empty inside. We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness has become ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Life Falls Apart Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 10, 2025

When life falls apart, God’s unseen hand still weaves redemption—turning famine into harvest, bitterness into blessing, and emptiness into grace-filled return.

Introduction — When the soul runs out of fuel It happens slowly. You don’t crash in a single day. First, it’s the mornings that come too soon. You lie there, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember what it used to feel like to wake up with joy. Then the evenings grow heavy. You sit in silence ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 61:3, Matthew 11:28, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist