Sermons on Empty Vessels:

The Ministry Of Thorns

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 24, 2019

Often people feel like they are disqualified from ministry because they have some weakness or trouble. The very opposite may be true; their weakness may especially qualify them to be used as God best vessel. Our weakness becomes His strength.

THE MINISTRY OF THORNS 2 Cor. 12:7-10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: UNTIED SHOE 1. Boudreaux saw Thibodaux on the wharf and noticed one of his shoelaces was untied. “Watch out you don’t trip up over your laces, Thibodaux.” 2. Thibodaux replied, “Yeah, it’s the crazy instructions on these shoes.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"In The Hands Of The Potter."

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Sep 6, 2025

We’re going to reflect on a powerful image found in Jeremiah 18:1-11—the image of the Potter and the clay. This picture beautifully illustrates how God, our Creator, lovingly shapes and molds us into His vessels for His purpose.

Introduction Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we’re going to reflect on a powerful image found in Jeremiah 18:1-11—the image of the Potter and the clay. This picture beautifully illustrates how God, our Creator, lovingly shapes and molds us into His vessels for His ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

God Who Exalts

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Dec 9, 2025

When we have hearts like Moses, humility like Joshua and diligence like Joseph we can be assured that the Lord will elevate us so we can become useful vessels whom He can use for His glory.

Today’s meditation is taken from Joshua 3:7, “And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today, I will begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel so that they may know that I will be with you, as I was with Moses.” (AFV) The Lord told Joshua that He would exalt him in the sight of all the Israelites. ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:7, Genesis 39:2-3, Proverbs 22:29, Genesis 39:21-22, Genesis 41:38, Numbers 14:12, Numbers 14:19, Numbers 12:10, Numbers 12:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

When You Can't Be Satisfied Series

Contributed by Brad Froese on Jun 29, 2006

How many of the fulfilled desires from your past are still making you happy today? Is life just chasing after the wind, or is there a simple path to contentment?

James 1:13-15, “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Uses Cracked Pots Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 11, 2010

Like the clay jars that Gideon and his soldiers broke, there a tremendous value in being broken. We throw things away when they’re broken, but God cherishes and uses broken people. So, broken down, cracked pots, rejoice because God uses cracked pots so th

INTRODUCTION The title of my teaching series from 2 Corinthians is “Hope for Cracked Pots.” Today, we’re going to look at 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 which is the passage for which I named the entire series. Today we’re going to talk about “God uses Cracked ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles - God's Power On Display

Contributed by Paddick Van Zyl on Aug 7, 2014

Do miracles still happen today? What is God’s take on miracles? How may we define a miracle?

Sermon Outline By Pastor Paddick Van Zyl Miracles 7 Aug 2014 Introduction: Do miracles still happen today? What is God’s take on miracles? How may we define a miracle: According to the dictionary-? Miracle (noun) : ‘an extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

Wandering In The Spiritual Desert

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jun 18, 2004

I got the bones of this outline from John Maxwell’s "One Hour With God" devotions. What do we do when we are running on empty?

INTRODUCTION • Have you ever been to the point in your walk with the Lord that just did not seem to be going anywhere? Did you or do you feel like you are wandering in the desert in circles, thirsting for water? • There are times in our lives when we can feel very empty spiritually, we can find ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Looking Into The Tomb Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 13, 2006

The stone was rolled away from the tomb to allow us to see that the Lord had risen; the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the reason for the church’s existence.

"Looking Into The Tomb" Matthew 28:1-10 May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be alway acceptable, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Friends: Where the gospel according to Matthew ends, the Christian faith begins - in the resurrection of our Lord. None of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

A Love That Will Not Let Go

Contributed by R. Darrel Davis on Feb 10, 2001

UPDATED 6/1/01 A salvation sermon. Main Idea The greatest act of love ever shown was the cross and the empty tomb; everything else pales by comparison.

A Love that Will Never Let Go Romans 5:8 Introduction: "Dearest Jimmy, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in my heart, so please forgive me. I love you, I love you, I love you! ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Unfinished Story

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Apr 14, 2009

We have received the same message at the empty tomb as the women did. What will we do with it? Keep it a secret? Run away in fear? Go and tell?

The Unfinished Story Mark 16:1-8 Easter 2009 Do you know the best way to make sure news spreads quickly? Tell someone NOT to tell anyone else! That’s what makes gossip so tempting. We love to hear and share stories about others, especially when we’re not supposed to! Throughout the gospel of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

You Are Unique!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 27, 2015

Failures, disappointments, emptiness, hollowness, pain and betrayals are God’s tools for building! Don’t panic! Season of dancing would surely follow!

You are Unique! Psalm 126:5”Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Hey friend, God’s plan is unique in each one’s life! Others stay away when the Master is at work ! Don’t try to give your inputs and foil the plan! Job’s friends tried to give ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Redemption For A Worthless Slave Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 7, 2011

The only way to the Empty Tomb goes to the Cross where Jesus died. This is the first in a series on what Jesus did for us when he died. (Theories of the Atonement)

Series Introduction: Today we start the countdown to Easter. That’s the highest day in the church year. However, there is only one way to arrive at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday. Like Jesus we need to travel to the cross. For the next 8 weeks we will discover the blessings or benefits we ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Wait Is On

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 2, 2011

Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for.

The Wait Is On Advent #1 Nov 27, 2011 Intro: What do the following have in common: • Doctor’s office • Holiday shopping • Connecting flights • Red light • Advent Can you guess? The answer is waiting, and that that is what we are going to explore together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-25

Denomination: Baptist

What's Your Pleasure? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 5, 2015

Solomon looked for pleasure in his achievements, his possessions and in his entertainment and yet finds it all to be empty and meaningless. Is there something wrong with seeking pleasure, or is there another problem?

OPEN: It was a 4th of July weekend and the family had gathered for a big meal together. In the kitchen was little 4 year old Johnny… and there on the edge of the cabinet sat the one thing he loved so much. It was a big, round, sure to be juicy, watermelon. He just couldn’t stop staring ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Black And White Of Following Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2022

Christ is he who will satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-10, Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Catholic