Sermons on Emptying Himself:

Thanksgiving Focus Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2021

David starts this Psalm by telling himself to praise the Lord, and he ends it by telling himself to do it again. If we would tell ourselves as we begin the day to praise the Lord and not forget all His benefits, and if we would end the day by doing the same, we would be different people.

You will, no doubt, think me strange for saying it, but I am thankful for my ignorance. It gives me so much to be thankful for. My vast ocean of ignorance is my playground where I can fish for new insights, and I can dive for the sunken treasure of golden truths that lay hidden in God's Word. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-14

Road To Emmaus

Contributed by Paul Davidson on May 4, 2018

We all have a choice... Will we let Jesus walk on by, or will we invite Him in to stay and fellowship with us? Will we decide that hearing ABOUT the Messiah is good enough? Or do we truly desire to experience the PRESENCE of the Messiah in our lives?

INTRODUCTION Good morning! Every year around Easter there is a major holiday in parts of Southeast Asia, called “Tomb Sweeping Day”. Tomb Sweeping Day was on Thursday last week. I was talking with our son, who is still living in Southeast Asia, and he was telling me what had happened that day. He ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:18-20, Mark 6:48, Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Little Boy Jesus

Contributed by Rev. Robert Strickland on Aug 7, 2014

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was like as a child? The bible dosent tell us much but it does reveal that our children can be like Jesus…but we have to do our part as well.

1 PETER 1:14-16 AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN, DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THE PASSIONS OF YOUR FORMER IGNORANCE, BUT AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, YOU ALSO BE HOLY IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT, SINCE IT IS WRITTEN, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY What was it like to raise Jesus the Messiah? • Was he a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16

Denomination: Other

Downward Leads To Upward Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Sep 6, 2005

If you want God to exalt you, you must humble yourself.

Downward Leads to Upward (Philippians 2:5-11) 1. Most of us have heard of Reverse Psychology…. Tom LaForce describes it: “When using reverse psychology, you ask for or do the opposite of what you want and through the magic of human nature, you end up with what you really wanted.” 2. There is a lot ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Ichabod: When The Glory Departs Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 4, 2025

The story of Ichabod is a tragic but necessary reminder that God's presence is not automatic. It can depart when dishonoured, neglected, or taken for granted.

ICHABOD: WHEN THE GLORY DEPARTS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Samuel 4:1-22 Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 10:18-19, Psalm 51:11, Hosea 4:6, Revelation 2:5, John 15:5 INTRODUCTION: There is no greater tragedy for a person, a church, or a nation than the departure of God's glory. The glory ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

More Than A Mother

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 3, 2023

No matter how deep the scars that life has left us with, the mother-love of God can restore the broken places and refill the empty places. There is nothing that we have lost that cannot be transformed or redeemed.

Many of you met my sister Kathleen and her son Brian when they came down for my installation. Brian is the only child in our generation, my mother’s only grandchild. And that’s surprising because, of the two of us, Kathleen didn’t want children and I did. I was the one who played with dolls. I was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:15-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Since Jesus Is Divine, Could He Have Sinned When The Devil Tempted Him In The Wilderness?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 13, 2021

A look at what the Bible says about the Temptations of Jesus

"And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, James 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sting Or A Saint?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2010

An empty niche above the church door, made for a statue of a saint, but now containing a hornet’s nest, suggests the choice of letting our lives be empowered by God or letting the sting of death and disappointment take over.

The other day I was hauling in a load of stuff from my car. I came in the Aspen Street entrance to the building, the entrance nearest my office. For some reason, as I was carrying things through the door, I looked up above my head, probably to implore the Lord to give me an extra ounce of muscle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

Contributed by Michael Stover on Jul 9, 2002

Jesus did not just talk about servant-ministry: He modeled it for us. And as they say... a picture IS worth a thousand words.

I. A Picture of Renunciation (4a) A. Renounced His prerogatives as Deity 1. Picture of His taking the form of a man 2. Philippians 2:7 (HCSB), “Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men.” B. Renounced His Position as their Master 1. Removed His ...read more

Scripture: John 13:2-15

Denomination: Baptist

Spirittual Zombies? Compssion Fatique?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 17, 2006

SOME OF OUR WORSE ATTITUDES ARE NOT PLANNED, THEY JUST EVOLVE. I often say: EVEN A DEAD FISH CAN SWIM DOWN STREAM! Are we actively pursuing God’s plan or are we empty zombies?

SPIRITUAL ZOMBIES? COMPASSION FATIQUE? TALKERS BUT NEVER DOERS. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com TEXT: James 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them ...read more

Scripture: James 2:15-17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Start Of Something New Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 18, 2006

With the empty tomb, God demonstrated that he was doing something new. We live out the reality that God is doing something new as we walk in faith in the relationship that God made with us at our baptism.

John 20:1-18 “The Start of Something New” INTRODUCTION It was near dawn on that first Easter, when Mary Magdalene approached Jesus’ tomb. It was probably a morning that was not all that different from this one. Mary expected to find a tomb with a stone rolled across its entrance. She assumed ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Lutheran

Coping With The Holidays

Contributed by Davon Huss on Nov 19, 2016

This information was put together for a workshop on "Coping with the Holidays" (Adapted from the book, "The Empty Chair: Handling Grief on Holidays and Special Occasions" by Susan J. Zonnebelt-Smeenge and Robert C. De Vries)

HoHum: Start with some family information: I grew up in a tight knit family spending my Sunday afternoons after church with all my extended family at my grandparent’s house. I am the eldest grandchild and my grandfather spent a lot of time with me growing up. I had trouble reading so before ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unstrained Mercy Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 27, 2006

Unstrained mercy needs to be constrained by the same constraints that God himself recognizes: by wisdom, by justice, by the long-term, eternal good of the person you are trying to help.

Every week it seems like there’s another new disaster. Wasn’t Hurricane Katrina enough, without adding Hurricane Rita to it? We were all so overwhelmed by the magnitude of those twin crises that many of us probably didn’t even pay much attention to the fires in California. After all, they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Gaining The Victorious Life

Contributed by Sam Peters on Jun 14, 2007

Paul saw himself as a winner either way. To live is Christ, to die is gain. How can we gain the victorious life Paul is talking about?

Gaining the Victorious Life As much as I tried to focus on doing a Father’s Day message, the Holy Spirit kept bringing me to this passage for our message this morning. So, I hope you’ll indulge me as I spend time talking about our heavenly Father more than I talk about us dads today? It is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-21

What To Expect Leading Up To Jesus' Return?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Oct 12, 2020

Who is winning? Churches stand empty or partially filled as compared to last year. How does Jesus expect us to make it through? "Look around and listen!" told his disciples and tells us.

As Jesus and his disciples were walking through the busy city of Jerusalem, the disciples began to comment how impressive this place was. No matter how many times they had been there before, they couldn’t help but be amazed by the great structures that surrounded them: Herod’s palace, the mighty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran