Sermons on Empty Vessels:

Christ Vs Traditions (Colossians 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 23, 2024

Is our faith based upon Christ or human traditions? Let's look in Colossians 2.

Church traditions build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Some traditions are like gold, silver and precious stones. Some are as worthless as wood, hay and stubble, not surviving the testing fire of God’s judgment. Upon whom do we base our faith? Let’s discuss this in ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Seeking Direction Series

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Mar 17, 2022

Part of a Lenten Sermon Series on people in the gospels who seek out Jesus. This week examines the rich man who approaches Jesus "Seeking Direction."

March 16, 2022 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 10:17-22 Seeking Direction Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Do you know what would have happened it had been the three wise WOMEN instead of the three wise MEN who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Eighteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time C- Greed

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 28, 2022

We are the people living in stone houses. And Jesus is challenging us with this teaching.

Some Blog writers collect lists of humorous First World Problems, like Losing the TV Remote, Being Hungry But Not For Any Of The Food In Your Fridge, your walk-in closet is not big enough. Our Gospel today mentions two people who suffered from “First World Problems.” 1). “Teacher, tell my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Catholic

It's Hard To Say Goodbye PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 17, 2023

This sermon explores finding strength and hope in God's love and divine plan, even amidst the profound pain of losing a child.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather here today, not as individuals, but as a united body, bound by our shared faith and love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is in His name, and in His love, that we find solace, strength, and the courage to face the trials and tribulations that ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

Topics: Grief, Loss, Comfort

Meaningful And Meaningless Worship Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jun 30, 2022

This sermon focuses on Solomon's somewhat cynical view of Temple worshipers along with his corrective: to "stand in awe of God" and how it applies to our modern day church services.

I would like to open today’s sermon with a question. Why do we even bother to go to church? I imagine if I was to ask everybody, I would probably get different answers. I think some go out of tradition. Some go because they are feeling pressure from a spouse. Others might be feeling a sense ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:1-7, Exodus 3:1-6

Denomination: Christian Church

What's In A Name? (The Third Commandment) Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 10, 2001

As followers of Jesus Christ, we carry God’s name with us wherever we go, whatever we do.

What’s in a name? In Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo asks that very question: "What’s in a name? A rose by any other name still smells just as sweet." Romeo would have us believe that names are just arbitrary ways of saying who we are.   But names are far more important than Romeo would ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Four Purposes Of Prayer (1 Of 4) Series

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Apr 1, 2005

To live effective lives as Jesus’ disciples we need to pray.

I’ve preached on prayer many times and I’ve tried to do it in such a way that you will be able to easily remember how to pray and to be motivated to pray. Yet I don’t think we are taking full advantage of this most powerful and useful resource we have as Christians. So, I am beginning a four week ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1, Luke 1:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Righting The Religious Rut Series

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Oct 8, 2005

4th in 5 part series on overcoming the obstacles and difficulties of life using five different Psalms. We used a "journey" or "road" metaphor in terms of the bumps of success, fear, guilt, the religious rut and grief, etc.

RIGHTING THE RELIGIOUS RUT Navigating the Bumps of Life - Week 5 PSALM 63:1-8 INTRODUCTION: (Faith Story - Beth Rampleberg) Thank-you Beth. Did you catch the words and phrases in Beth’s faith story? “Obligation,” “knowledge in my head but not my heart,” “something was missing,” “emptiness,” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-8

Denomination: Christian Church

The Poverty Of Self-Sufficiency Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 24, 2004

As we look at the first Beatitude this morning, I wonder if those listening to Jesus wished they had a dictionary with them because it must have seemed like He was speaking a different language.

The Poverty of Self-Sufficiency I’ve received some wonderful green and gold gifts recently. This Packer headband keeps my ears warm, and this cap announces my allegiance for all to see. This Packer Christmas stocking came filled with Snicker bars; and I even received some “Lambeau loafers” as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Suffering Servant Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 23, 2011

If we want complete absolution for our sins and full recovery from our failures, then we must bow before Jesus as our Sovereign Lord, believe in Him who was scorned, bank on His substitutionary sacrifice; then we can benefit from his victory and success.

Max Lucado, in his book Facing Your Giants, talks about Rogers Cadenhead, who upon the death of Pope John Paul II, registered www.BenedictXVI.com as a new internet domain name before the new Pope’s name was even announced. Now, the right domain name can prove pretty lucrative. For example, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Freely Give

Contributed by David Hicks on Nov 15, 2006

We have been given freely out of Christ’s rich grace. How we respond to that grace will be seen in how freely we give to others.

Freely Give Matthew 10:1-15 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 10:1-15

Denomination: Holiness

Our Present Joy Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Oct 13, 2013

After beginning his letter with hope & encouragement, Peter proceeds with loving counsel for those who are facing trials & suffering. He shares with a suffering church various results that develop out of the trials which God allows to come into our lives.

1 PETER 1: 6-9 [Renewing Hope Series] OUR PRESENT JOY [James 1:2-4 / Romans 5: 3-5] Our faith in Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead not only fills us with a living hope but also with joy inexpressible and full of glory. As we endure the trials of life God refines our faith and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Prescription For A Depressed Saint

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 17, 2016

Elijah was probably the most celebrated and revered of all Old Testament prophets. He lived during a time when people were chasing after false gods, worshiping idols and dabbling in all kinds of pagan and occultist stuff. God chose Elijah . . .

Friday, August 12, 2016 Prescription for a Depressed Saint I need to tell you up front that I am an expert on this subject. I used to be ashamed and did all I could to hide it from others. But that’s another sermon. For now, just accept that I know what I am talking about. I’ll begin ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Restoration Of Dry Bones

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Apr 19, 2015

A sermon on attitudes that hinder true restoration and on three things that were restored in the valley of dry bones.

Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Introduction The book of Ezekiel is a very interesting book. Ezekiel was a prophet of God who received some deep revelations about God’s glory, power and love. When reading the book of Ezekiel, we need to ask God to open our eyes to wondrous things in His Word or we may ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

"What You See Is Not What You Get”

Contributed by Sean Dees on Feb 7, 2020

I want to talk to real people that feel disappointed by their dream. I am talking to those of you that God has made you a promise, shown you a few things, and then went silent on you.

Ge 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told [it] his brethren: and they hated him yet the more. (19) And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. (20) Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5