Sermons on Empty Vessels:

Why Do You Seek The Living Among The Dead? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 31, 2013

What do people visit cemeteries to find? Dead people. So, why would the angels ask "Why do you seek the living among the dead?

OPEN: In the last century, there was a very prominent British philosopher named Bertrand Russell who had a interesting view of life and death. He wrote: “The life of man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Taking It To The Mat Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 23, 2015

How do we defeat Satan? It appears we do it by (as a Church) beating down the gates of Hell. But how exactly do that, and what is the objective in beating down those gates?

When Joe Louis was in his prime he fought "Two-Ton" Tony Galento. Louis was favored to win because 2 Ton Tony loved to fight… but he hated to train. At the first part of the fight, Galento threw his Sunday punch and sent Louis sprawling to the mat. Louis was more surprised than hurt and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knowin' Where You're Goin' Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Aug 8, 2016

Peter, James and John catch the biggest haul of fish they'd ever known... and then they just left their nets and boat to follow Jesus. Why would they do that?

OPEN: Albert Einstein was taking a train to an out of town engagement. The conductor stopped by to punch his ticket, but the scientist – preoccupied with his work, explained that he couldn't find his ticket. He couldn’t find it in his coat pockets, in his briefcase, anywhere!! The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Sibling Rivalry Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 23, 2018

Sibling rivalry starts with one person feeling they've been slighted. They deserved to be treated better. And expect this kind of rivalry in children - it's when we become adults that this desire to "be the star" can destroy families, churches and relationships.

OPEN: Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVI2fX-1uPU That clip was from a popular TV series called “This Is Us” where a couple of the main actors (brothers Kevin and Randall) get into a fight. The scene is an excellent example of a common conflict most families experience called ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Change In Religion Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 12, 2020

What did Jesus mean when He told Nicodemus "You must be born again"? And what does His comment about being "born of the water and the Spirit" mean to us today?

OPEN: A man was obviously lost. He saw a little boy was standing by the side of a road and a and pulled up beside him. “Sonny,” he said, “do you know how to get to town?” The kid said, “No sir, I don’t.” Then the man said, “Well do you know the way to route 20?” The little boy said, “No.” And the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Resurrection - The Devoted Women At The Tomb – Resurrection Message For Easter – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 29, 2023

It was Resurrection Sunday and a little group of devoted women were at the tomb to honour the Lord in burial, but He was not there. Sadness turned to shock which left the women perplexed and horrified. We will concentrate on this group of loyal women on that Resurrection Sunday.

THE RESURRECTION - THE DEVOTED WOMEN AT THE TOMB – RESURRECTION MESSAGE FOR EASTER – PART 1 [A]. INTRODUCTION TO RESURRECTION As I am sure you all realise, this Sunday is Resurrection Sunday. (This message was given on an Easter Sunday). All our churches will be empty for Good Friday and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:29, Hebrews 11:6, 1 Corinthians 15:12-20, Luke 23:56, Luke 23:55, Isaiah 53:9, John 19:38-39, Luke 2:35, Luke 24:1, Luke 24:2-3, Philippians 2:8-11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can You See This Sign? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 2, 2017

The blind saw Jesus, but the Pharisees couldn't. What were the differences in their blindnesses and what can we learn from the man born blind?

(Before reading the text and opening with prayer, we sang the following chorus: “I saw the light, I saw the light No more darkness, no more night Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight For praise the Lord… I saw the light.”) OPEN: When I’m preparing for a sermon, a lot of times I’ll take little ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Message 3 - 1 Thessalonians Chapter 3 - Paul’s Great Desire To Connect With The Saints At Thessalonica Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Dec 29, 2022

Paul really loved the believers at Thessalonica. His concern for their welfare was so great he sent Timothy to them and he earnestly prayed for them day and night. In their suffering he prayed they would stand firm in holiness.

MESSAGE 3 - 1 THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 3 - PAUL’S GREAT DESIRE TO CONNECT WITH THE SAINTS AT THESSALONICA {{1Thessalonians 3:1 “Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, 1Thess 3:2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:6, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Thessalonians 3:7, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13, 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 2:21, Philippians 1:29, Psalm 119:71, Psalm 119:67, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 3:4-6, 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Acts 17:10-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Wine And New Wineskins

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 10, 2023

In a brewery, new wine is poured into new wineskins. After the wine has fermented for some time in the old wineskins, the old wineskins become dry, hard, and brittle.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” Mark 2:22 In a brewery, new wine is poured into new wineskins. After the wine has fermented for some time in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:22

The Sign Of The Sabbath Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 12, 2017

Why would Jesus heal a man on the Sabbath and then tell the man (in violation of the Sabbath rules of the Pharisees) to pick up his mat and walk?

OPEN: There’s a story I read once of 3 umpires who were talking about the feeling of power they had on the baseball field. As they talked about what gave them this sense of empowerment, the 1st umpire said – “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.” The 2nd smiled and said, “That ain’t nothing. I call ‘em as ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being Poured Out- Greatness Cometh

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Apr 10, 2011

What happens to a person that stops giving or doing? What's wrong with just asking for ease and comfrot?

Being Poured Out- Greatness Cometh Jeremiah 48:11 “ Moab has been at ease from his youth; He has settled on his dregs, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into captivity. Therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent has not changed. Moab had taken the land ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 48:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Mending A Broken Spirit Series

Contributed by Jim Pritchett on Jan 12, 2011

God loves people who have failed and messed up, and there’s nothing he wants to do more than extend forgiveness for sin, and healing for brokenness. And the greater your brokenness, the greater God’s opportunity to demonstrate his grace!

Mending a Broken Spirit Part 4 of a 4 Part Series Jim Pritchett Swift Creek Community Church Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. And all the king’s horses, and all the king’s men -- ? (couldn’t put Humpty together again!) Humpty’s broken. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Useful To God

Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 26, 2005

We are charged with cleansing our daily walk and bad habits. God will not do for us what He has commanded us to do for ourselves.

HOW TO BE USEFUL TO GOD Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Living In An Egg Shell

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Jul 12, 2012

I have said many times that our life is so fragile, so delicate, that if it wasn't for the protection of our Lord we couldn't last very long in this flesh we live in. It's like living in an egg shell. Of course when we were young we thought we were invi

Living in an egg shell 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus The Path To Peace Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 17, 2017

Peace on earth? With wars and rumors of wars what possible peace could the angels be announcing? And how does the baby Jesus fit into all this?

OPEN: I love to sing Christmas Carols, so this morning I want you to stand and sing 3 verses of “Silent Night” with me. 1. “Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ