Sermons on Empty Vessels:

Inhale And Exhale The Gospel

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 31, 2015

In the Christian life faith and works go together like inhaling and exhaling. Billy Graham stated it in these terms: Faith is taking the Gospel in; works is taking the Gospel out." Updated September 2018

A very young boy ... was hurrying ...to catch a bus. Carrying gifts under his arm, ...he was struggling ...with his crutches. Suddenly, ...a man bumped into him ... knocking his parcels ......in all directions. The man then paused ...and scolded the young lad... for getting in his way. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7, 1 John 3:17-18, James 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Back To Life

Contributed by Brian Williams on Apr 8, 2024

The resurrection tells us that life and all we have lived for isn’t without purpose and meaning and that it does not end at the grave.

Luke 24:1-12 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Week 3 - Ichabod Or Immanuel? Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 12, 2020

This messages used the name Ichabod as a term for those who are lost; those who do not have the glory of God. And, it uses Immanuel to represent the condition of salvation for those who live in fellowship with Jesus, God with us.

Immanuel or Ichabod Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His Law he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:30, Matthew 8:12, Revelation 21:22-23, Ephesians 5:8, John 8:12, Genesis 1:2-4, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, John 1:9, John 1:7, John 1:4-5, John 1:1-14, Matthew 22:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

The Long Road Home

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jun 17, 2020

What began as an intended temporary stay in Moab, turned into ten years of despair and suffering. Upon hearing the Lord had visited His people, Naomi made the wise decision to begin the long journey home. It would prove beneficial.

The Long Road Home Ruth 1: 19-22 We know that Naomi had left the land of Bethlehem-Judah with her husband to sojourn in the land of Moab. What began as an intended temporary stay turned into ten long years of difficulty and heartache. Now Naomi heard the Lord had visited His people in ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Thankfulness Makes You Full Inside

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Nov 14, 2019

We can only get so far towards becoming new by trying hard or getting educated. The real power comes from inside, a changed heart, and thankfulness is a key to a changed heart.

There was a time when I thought that if we wanted to change our lives, to start good habits, or to break bad habits, all we had to do was decide to do it. We just had to choose. I come from a family with a lot of will power. But the more I have had to wrestle with my own weaknesses, the more I ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-4

The Beginning

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Apr 21, 2019

On Good Friday, all hope was lost. Yet, Easter Sunday brought hope, forgiveness, and life to all who would choose Jesus as Lord. He is risen, and he rises us to new life as well!

Luke 24:1-12 The Beginning Nature’s seasons remind us of the seasons of life. There is spring, where new growth is popping up out of the earth. The wild flowers are so pretty this time of year in South Texas. There is summer, and later fall, which here is like a slightly milder form of summer. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:1, 1 Corinthians 15:55, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

"Friday Tragedy? Easter Triumph!”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Mar 31, 2021

If the body of Jesus had decayed into dust within the borrowed tomb, we would not be singing the songs of Easter. They thought It was a tragic end to the “One” who had raised the dead. Tears told the sadness in their hearts. Resurrection shatters the grip of fear.

In Jesus Holy Name April 4, 2021 Easter Sunday Redeemer Text: Mark 16:6,7a “Friday Tragedy? Easter Triumph!” He is risen! He is risen indeed! Philip Yancy wrote: “Christianity has two great symbols to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:6-8, John 20:30-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Broken Cisterns: An Exposition Of Jeremiah 2:1-13

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Aug 21, 2025

A Sermon for Proper 17, After Pentecost, Year C August 31, 2025

Broken Cisterns Jeremiah 2:1–13 NKJV Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Go and cry in the hearing of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:1-13, Jeremiah 2:4-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Do You Have That You Did Not Receive? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2012

We are far more prone to think too highly of ourselves than to think too poorly of ourselves. Such thinking tends to divide the people of God.

“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” [1] Our contemporaries, and likely we ourselves, esteem the rugged individual. We imagine that we are distinct from everyone else. We are taught in elementary school that there ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing The Way For God’s Visitation-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Sep 27, 2011

1 of 2. John the Baptist was instrumental in preparing the way for the Lord’s visitation. God’s visitation received adequate preparation. How has God’s visitation received adequate preparation? For God’s visitation We must lose the...

PREPARING The WAY For GOD’s VISITATION-I—Luke 3:1-10 Need: Do you feel as if you don’t experience God’s power? You see Him work in others but not in or thru you? John the Baptist was instrumental in preparing the way for the Lord’s visitation. God’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Making War In The Local Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jul 13, 2013

Many new believers are not taught how to overcome the onslaught of the evil one and become confused and disorientated when things begin to go wrong.

Making War In The Local Church 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. The devil is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is The Difference?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 1, 2025

God is sovereign. God is just, and He is merciful. Your view of God dictates how you treat mankind.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge?” As I live, declares the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Behold, all souls are ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Three Miracles Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2025

Examining the Annunciation and Mary's response to God's call.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

What History Says About The Resurrection

Contributed by Rick Macdonald on Aug 8, 2001

With the risk of being miserable, why would a group of intelligent, rational individuals ever believe in the resurrection?

What History says about the Resurrection April 2000 1 Corinthians 15:16-19 - For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:16-19

Denomination: Pentecostal