Sermons on Empty Seat:

Coping With The Holidays

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2016

This information was put together for a workshop on "Coping with the Holidays" (Adapted from the book, "The Empty Chair: Handling Grief on Holidays and Special Occasions" by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries)

HoHum: Start with some family information: I grew up in a tight knit family spending my Sunday afternoons after church with all my extended family at my grandparent’s house. I am the eldest grandchild and my grandfather spent a lot of time with me growing up. I had trouble reading so before ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Boredom On The Job Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 13, 2015

Boredom is a constant complaint of many workers, but Solomon points to the one thing that can turn the emptiness of the workplace into a powerful tool for our faith. What is this "one thing" that can makes such a big difference for us?

Back in 2009, a 16-year-old British girl was fired from her office job because her manager saw - on Facebook - that she had said her job was “boring”. She was called into her manager's office and given the following letter: “Following your comments made on Facebook... we feel it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Searching For The Everlasting Life

Contributed by Lonnie Erwin on Feb 5, 2023

Many live today in public they portray a different persona than when they are alone. He let down his guard. He is searching to fill the emptiness in his life that only can be filled by Jesus.

John 3:1-17 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Trading

Contributed by Chidi Ejeagba on Jan 8, 2019

Everyday of our lives we are trading. whether we are aware of it or not. Right here you are seated, you are trading your time for this knowledge (assets) which will eventually result into something great in the future. And only trading will change the value of what we received originally in life.

INTRODUCTION Putting a new wine in an old bottle will destroy the bottle. New creature needs a new mind Religion killed Jesus, but He resurrected to kill religion. My advice: Don’t die with religion. God is saying that the game on the pulpit is about to change. Pulpit is changing. From a corner in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:15-28

The Ancient Of Days (All Saints Day 2022)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Nov 3, 2022

Daniel 7 tells us that the court is seated (Daniel 7:10) as the Son of Man (Jesus) approaches the Ancient of Days (God the Father) who will judge these four kingdoms represented by the four beasts! Today we will talk about our faith, the four beasts, the Ancient of Days.

THE ANCIENT OF DAYS Text: Daniel 7:1- 3, 13 - 18 Daniel 7:1-18 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. (2) Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-3, Daniel 7:13-18

Denomination: United Methodist

Help Wanted (I Need Indeed) - Prayer: The Key To Securing Kingdom Workers) Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jan 24, 2023

Just as Jesus was moved by the conditions around him, God is moved by the endless sin, corruption and trouble in the world today. Believers are invited to pray because God is our heavenly Father, who is seated in a perfect position, seeing all, knowing all and will respond to our sincere prayers.

Sermon: Prayer: The Key to Securing Kingdom Workers Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38 “Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 6:5-13, Luke 18:1, John 4:35-36, Luke 10:1-4, Ezekiel 34:3-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Shooting The Wounded

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Sep 6, 2024

Everybody comfortable? Good! Now, I’m going to ask something very strange of you today. Since you are good and comfortable, go ahead and move to another seat. In another row or across the aisle. Sometimes, a slight change in perspective can make all the difference!

Shooting the wounded Last week after church, Lisa told me a story of a person who had been hurt by people at the church she was attending. Uncomfortable yet? Don’t worry it wasn’t CPC! She finished telling the story and the first words out of my mouth were: Shootin’ the wounded! On May 21st 2004 ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:16-17, Luke 17:1

Worthless Clouds Without Water Carried By The Changing Winds –jude 1 Verse 12 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Aug 16, 2022

Jude continues his description of the false teachers using metaphors to describe them. This follow on from hidden reefs and we now have empty clouds without water, useless in promise and leaving bitter failure. Many people are left hurt, and without hope, and fleeced and betrayed.

WORTHLESS CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER CARRIED BY THE CHANGING WINDS –Jude 1 verse 12 In our last message we were looking at these false teachers Jude was battling when he urged his readers to contend for the faith. They had to be positive, and a lazy and don’t care less approach would achieve nothing. ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:12, Ezekiel 34:1-8, Zechariah 11:15-17, Acts 20:28-30, Deuteronomy 32:9-10, 1 Peter 5:7, 1 Corinthians 12:25, Ephesians 4:14, John 4:13-15, John 7:37-38, Hebrews 10:22, James 3:11-12, Revelation 7:17, Revelation 22:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lying To The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 4, 2017

If God killed every Christian who lied, the churches would be empty. This does not excuse lying, but it does acknowledge our fallibility. The message is a study of one couple that attempted to deceive God and what He did about their deceit.

“A man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Doors In Life

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 18, 2022

Doors play a major role in our life each day.

Have you ever counted how many times you go through doors each day? If you add it up, it will amaze you how much they play a major role in our life - ESPECIALLY THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR! Illus: A woman goes to a psychiatrist and says, "Doctor, you've got to do something about my husband -- ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Living To Please God

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Oct 11, 2020

‘Living to Please God’ – 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 1-12 – sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Walk in holiness (vs 1-8): (a). Right attitude (vs 1a) (b). Right actions (vs 2-3) (c). Right Appreciation (vs 6-8) (2). Walk in Harmony (vs 9-10) (3). Walk in Honesty (vs 11-12): SERMON BODY: Ill: • At the F.A. Cup final a diehard fan remarked about it to a woman ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Brethren

The Burdened Watchman

Contributed by Dan Stires on Nov 6, 2002

How do we become burdened for those who are lost in their sin and need a Savior? The text here deals with the burdened watchman of Dumah.

The Burdened Watchman Isaiah 21:11-12 Intr: Illus. 1. Hattie Wiatt, a little girl, came to a very small Sunday School and asked them inside the church if she would come in. 2. But it was explained to her there was not enough room for her to come. 3. In less than two years she fell ill, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 21:11-12, 2 Chronicles 7:1-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Losing The Loving Feeling? The Church Of Ephesus

Contributed by Shawn Miller on Jul 18, 2015

A continuation of the teachings of the 7 churches of Revelation this is a look into the church of Ephesus, with a particular focus on the importance of re capturing the passion for Christ.

Losing that Loving Feeling? The Church of Ephesus Introduction: Have you ever lost that loving feeling? If you've been married for some time you may know what its like for marriage to be more work than romance. All relationships go through this from time to time. We get in a routine and go ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Birth Of A New Era Series

Contributed by William Jewett on Nov 27, 2001

part 3 of 4 of our series on worship as a lifestyle

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, and three ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-23

Denomination: *other

A Strange Christmas Passage

Contributed by Steve Gladwell on Nov 19, 2002

An advent sermon on repentance

A Strange Christmas Passage I wasn’t sure whether I should come here today, after all, how could I come and preach at a Church in a denomination that seems to have got their lectionary passage wrong. Here we are in the second Sunday of advent, only two more Sundays before Christmas day, and the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist