Sermons on Empty Serving:

Shakedown Spirit

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 9, 2009

The time has come to invest in our church facility so that it glorifies God and serves today’s circumstances. God has placed the resources among us and will be shaking us to let go and move toward excellence.

I hope you’ve noticed that I try to come at preaching from a wide variety of different angles. There are many aims I bring to the preaching task. Most of the time, of course, I am trying to work with you in seeing in the Scriptures something that will help you live out your daily life in the ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When God Is Your Glory Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Nov 20, 2008

What a glorious God of splendor we serve! The city which God establishes will not be darkened by human failure or natural inadequacy. The presence of God in Zion will create external & internal light. God’s splendor will be seen & experienced.

ISAIAH 60:19-22 WHEN GOD IS YOUR GLORY [Revelation 21:23-24; 22:5] What a glorious God of splendor we serve! The city which God establishes will not be darkened by human failure or natural inadequacy. The presence of God in Zion will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

How To Worship God In Spirit And In Truth

Contributed by Monte Brown on Jan 30, 2009

Our study of worship reminds us that the effectiveness of all that we do in the church is not to be found in outward activity or service, but in the One who stands behind it. The One whom we serve. The One deserving of our worship.

How to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth John 4:22-24 Monte T. Brown February 1, 2009 Sunday Morning Heart O’ the Hills Introduction When Lawrence of Arabia was in Paris with some of his Arab friends after World War I, he took them to see the ...read more

Scripture: John 4:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Extra Letter

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 21, 2010

For Remembrance Sunday 1995, commemorating those who had died in the previous year: their lives remind us to embrace but not misuse our freedom, to love without limitations, and to serve concerns wider than our own lives.

Before I begin, let me ask you first to turn to Galatians 5: 13, and be ready to read it with me in a little while. [Read II Corinthians 3: 1-3] I have an announcement to make. The most amazing thing has happened. We have found another letter from the Lord to the churches. We have discovered an ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Of Melchizedek Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on May 13, 2008

The OT in many ways is a book of many prophetic snap shots. You could call it a photo album. It is a collection of snapshots of real people, with real lives, and real circumstances, and it also serves to give us a glimpse into the future.

The Mystery of Melchizedek Hebrews 7 Read vv. 1-2, 15-16, 22 Intro The OT in many ways is a book of many prophetic snap shots. You could call it a photo album. It is a collection of snapshots of real people, with real lives, and real circumstances, and it also serves to give us a glimpse into ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph: An Example Of Salvation Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jul 17, 2021

Joseph, serving as Jesus’ earthly father figure, was an exemplary father. He was not only an excellent role model for his son, but within Joseph lies a certain character trait, which just happens to be Jesus’ strongest attribute.

The Christian singer Michael Card wrote a piece entitled Joseph’s Song. To begin this morning, I am going to read a few lines from this song. Listen closely, and from what you know about Joseph from the Bible, think about whether these words could have come from Joseph’s own heart: Lord I know ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Emitting The Fragrance Of Life

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jan 21, 2022

Believers should serve as the aromatherapy of life to the world, emitting the grace-filled fragrance of life in Christ. Those who have received life and salvation in Jesus must be willing to share that life with others in both word and deed.

On March 15, 2005, Philadelphia NBC News Channel 10 published an article with the following headline: “Couple Sells Candles That Smell Like Jesus.” I want to share a small snippet of what the article announced: “Now there’s a candle that lets you experience the scent of Jesus, and they’ve been ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Works-Based Karma Christianity

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Oct 29, 2021

Throughout history, karma theology has penetrated church beliefs and enslaved people to serve God based on legalistic performance so they can earn His approval, receive rewards, blessings, healing, and obtain a victorious life.

Karma is the "law of the deed" and is a century's old worldwide belief that if you do good things then good will come back to you, and if you do bad, then bad will come back to you. It is believed that suffering is the result of a person's wrongdoing in the past. It can be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:16, Romans 12:3, Matthew 5:12, Colossians 3:24, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Separation Of Church And State

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Jul 9, 2014

How does all of this "Separation of Church and State" fit in with what the Bible teaches? Should we as Christians lay aside our beliefs if and when the Lord calls us to serve in the government of our nation? God forbid!

Suppose your nation was fighting a war. And … there were great and talented leaders in charge. Your nation had never lost a war and was a dominant power in the world. However, in this nation public opinion was turning against the war and the elected officials who were worried about their ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 17:18-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Free From The Law

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Jul 16, 2014

This statement, "You are not under law," has been misinterpreted to free people as freedom from any obligation to the revealed law of God." Free from the law is not a license to sin but the liberty to serve and obey from love not compulsion.

Free From the Law Romans 8:1-11 Romans 6:14 contains these words "...for ye are not under the law, but under grace." This words have become, as John McArthur, points out "a sort of an open door for all kinds of misdeeds and misbehavior. This statement, "You are not under law," has been ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing In The Midst Of Adversity Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 23, 2016

The difficulties associated with our modern day are reaching new levels of intensity. The majority is not interested in the Word or worship. As difficult as it may be, we remain obligated to serve the Lord and reach others. We can advance for Christ.

Advancing in the Midst of Adversity 1 John 2: 24-29 Take a moment to consider the great challenges John spoke of in our last study. He warned the spirit of antichrist was already among us, seeking to undermine the church and hinder her ministry. He reminds us that we are living in the last time, ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming God’s Catalyst For Changed Lives – Part 2 Series

Contributed by Dan Proctor on Feb 1, 2016

The past few weeks, we have seen from God’s Word that God’s heart and desire is not for us to simply be a church that exists for us, but to be a church that exists to glorify Him and serve others.

Becoming God’s Catalyst For Changed Lives – Part 2 John 4 Introduction: 1. Last week, we began studying John 4, focusing on Christ’s encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. 2. The past few weeks, we have seen from God’s Word that God’s heart and desire is not ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-54

Denomination: Bible Church

The Making Of A Great Escape Artist

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 22, 2014

Life can place you in many predicaments. Even a Houdini cannot escape some of the problems that life serves us. However, the Bible gives us instructions about making the great escape from the wiles of the devil.

The Great Escape Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. Harry Houdini, the great escape artist performed many great feats in his life. But at the age of 52, a college student punched him in the stomach before he was prepared and soon he died of a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

Denomination: Pentecostal

And He Is The Head Of The Body, The Church Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 17, 2018

The New Testament idea of the Church is easily comprehended. It is the whole body of the faithful in Christ Jesus, who are redeemed and regenerated by His grace—the aggregate multitudes of those in heaven and on earth who love, adore, and serve the Son

5/24/18 Tom Lowe Lesson IIB1: THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH (Colossians 1:18a) • Letters inside brackets [a], correspond to “Special Notes” following each verse. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. Colossians 1:18a (NIV) (Text) 1:18a "And he is the head of the body, the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

War And Disaster Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 9, 2018

The Revelation serves as a warning to us all. Fear and repentance is the proper response to God’s judgment. May we never indulge in soul’s boast that only invites destruction, for He humbles the proud, but exalts the humble.

Revelation 16 TRANSLATION 12. And the sixth poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way for the kings of the East could be prepared. 13. And I saw from the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 16:12-21

Denomination: *other