Sermons on Empty Vessels:

Resolute Within Vacillating Winds

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus maintains his unwavering course to the cross through the events of Holy Week

April 5, 2020 Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson Matthew 21:1-11; Matthew 27:11-54 Resolute within Vacillating Winds Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Lawrence Pertillar wrote the poem “By the Shift of Winds.” It starts ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Matthew 27:11-54

Denomination: Lutheran

Light In The Midst Of A Dark World PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 18, 2023

This sermon explores Jesus as the Word, Light, and Way, emphasizing His personal, guiding presence in our lives.

Good morning, dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ! It's such a joy to be here with you today, in this sacred space where we gather to worship, to learn, and to grow in our faith. Let's take a moment to breathe in the grace that fills this room, the grace that comes from our shared love and ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-5

Topics: Light, Jesus Christ

Could Even Judas Have Been Forgiven? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 13, 2025

Did Judas have to lose hope? On the third day after Jesus died, when the apostles gathered in the Upper Room, would there have been room for Judas Iscariot? He was, after all, one of the Twelve, chosen by Christ.

Monday of Holy Week 2025 St. John the Evangelist probably had three or four decades or more to contemplate the life and fate of his fellow disciple, Judas Iscariot. He then wrote his clear and crisp description of the man’s moral character. The incident described Mary of Bethany ministering to the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11, Psalm 27:1-3, Psalm 27:13-14, Isaiah 42:1-7

Denomination: Catholic

Handling Your Failure

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Jul 21, 2003

One person has said: “Most of us never see God in failure but only in success, a strange attitude for people who have the cross as the center of their faith.”

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: Today, there is an overabundance of resources available to people that want to become a success. From bookstores to emails, we are enticed with success. In fact, I get emails quite frequently that tell me for the right price I can get a college and graduate degrees ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Turning Trials To Triumph Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Oct 6, 2004

This message explains why the Christian will face trials and what God’s desire is for the believer through the tests we face in life.

“EXTREME MAKEOVER” – PART TWO TURNING TRIALS INTO TRIUMPH JAMES 1:2-12 - ©DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2004) INTRODUCTION: Diamond Test Illustration: To test the genuineness of a diamond, jewelers often place it in clear water, which causes a real diamond to sparkle with special brilliance. An imitation ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

Jehovah Nissi Series

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Nov 2, 2010

What do you lift up when times get tough? Turn to God first, talk to Him, trust Him to help you and thank Him in advance.

JEHOVAH NISSI When was the last time you faced a situation where the odds were stacked against you? The science of probability and statistics is fascinating. Some day, unless Jesus comes back first, every person in this room will die. How do you think you will go? The odds are that you will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-6

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Pollution In The Soul Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 27, 2009

Jesus is confronted by the religious elite that His disciples weren’t washing correctly. Jesus tells the Pharisical hypocrites they have more problems than that to worry about.

Pollution in the Soul Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Heart Check

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Jul 12, 2008

The symptoms of a heart attack reminded me of the brevity life and why God has placed me here.

HEART CHECK Various Scriptures Most of my weeks here at SEFC are pretty predictable. That is I know what I have to do each day. 4 days of the week I teach English classes, and Sunday I’m here most of the day teaching an English Bible class and leading this English Worship Service. I can pretty ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Denomination: Evangelical Free

From The Pigs To A Party Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Aug 16, 2007

Lessons from the Parable of the Prodigal Son

John Newton was once known only for his occupation: captain of a slave-trading vessel. He made many trips between Africa and the U.S. with slaves in the belly (below deck) of the ship, which was bad enough, but when storms would arise or a government vessel could be seen approaching from a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Round Ticket On The Ark Cruise Series

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 19, 2008

How many of us have been on a cruise? We went on one for a whale watching cruise in the Atlantic from Boston. Would you get on one if you were told that it did not have a rudder or engine and did not know the destination? Well there was one enterprising m

Illustration: Who Are the Saved OR Evangelicals? Gallup has at times asked 3 qualifying questions to make the determination; have you had a born-again experience committing yourself to Jesus Christ, have you tried to encourage someone to believe in Christ, and do you believe the Bible is the actual ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Concerns From The Cross-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 19, 2011

2 of 2. As Jesus hung on the cross, He voiced concerns of great significance. At the juncture of life & death, our greatest concerns are prioritized. What are significant concerns for Jesus? 6 Significant Concerns of Jesus from the Cross.

CONCERNS From The CROSS-II Mat. 27:33-54; Mk. 15:21-39; Lk. 23:33-49; Jn. 19:17-30 MATTERS of GREATEST SIGNIFICANCE Significant Concerns of Jesus As Jesus hung on the cross, He voiced particularly important concerns. At the juncture of life & death, matters of greatest significance become our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:46-50

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Laugh Syria, You're Next Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 14, 2011

A study of chapters 17 and 18 of the book of Isaiah

Isaiah 17: 1 to 18: 7 Don’t Laugh Syria, You’re Next 1 The burden against Damascus.“ Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, and it will be a ruinous heap. 2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken; They will be for flocks which lie down, and no one will make them afraid. 3 The ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Specially Chosen Series

Contributed by David Welch on Feb 14, 2011

3rd in the series dealing with election.

“Specially Chosen” REVIEW Paul wrote to a special group of people striving to live for the Lord in a hostile and pagan environment. He gave them the truth tools to succeed in a walk worthy of their high calling. He masterfully summarized three years of daily training in what we know as ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:4

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Real Reasons The Dollar Died Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 28, 2012

God has sent divine judgement upon ancient Israel because they had abandoned their Godly foundation in which their nation had been founded.The Judgement was meant to awaken Israel to return to their foundation, Godly heritage but instead of repenting they

“The Final Countdown Has Started” Series The Real Reasons the Dollar Died 3 of 4 (Based upon Jonathan Cahn’s book “The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future”) February 26, 2012 Chester’s FBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:10

Denomination: Baptist

Our Times Are In God’s Hands

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 13, 2013

Many of us feel as if somehow we have been demoted and overlooked by life, when in fact, every step we take and every move we make is carefully planned; God Himself is orchestrating all our circumstances and endeavors

“But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” (NIV) Introduction We are servants, sometimes slaves, to our electronic devices; we are slaves to our watches, smart phones, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:14-15

Denomination: Baptist