Sermons on Emptying Himself:

The Broken Altar - When Worship Becomes Work Series

Contributed by Barry Tallis on May 2, 2025

The first in a four part series confronts the subtle drift from passionate devotion to empty religious routine, challenging believers to recognize the cracks in their spiritual foundations and commit to rebuilding authentic altars of worship in their daily lives.

INTO: Today we're kicking off a brand-new series that's going to challenge your spiritual comfort zone and reignite your relationship with God. We're talking about being SET APART in a world that wants you to fit in! Have you ever felt like your relationship with God has become more ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 29:13, 1 Kings 18:30, Romans 12:1

Seek First The Kingdom

Contributed by Norman Bernad on Jan 18, 2026

A professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled it with big rocks and asked, “Is the jar full?” The students poured in some pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks.

“Seek First the Kingdom” 1. Matthew 6:33 2. Ps 121 Illustration A professor once stood before his class with a large empty jar. He filled it with big rocks and asked, “Is the jar full?” The students poured in some pebbles, which filled the spaces between the rocks. He asked again, “Is it full ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Finding Joy: Easter, 2003

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Apr 28, 2003

Do you ever feel like this? Emptiness? Exhaustion? Feeling trapped? We’ll meet two people in the Bible who felt this way. But because they met the Risen Jesus, they found joy. And you can, too!

(I used several ideas from Rick Warren’s Easter messages over the last few years for this message. Thanks, Rick! 1980 people attended our services and 63 people prayed to recieve Christ at CVCC this Easter!) * * * I’ve lived in NE Ohio 17 years and I’ve personally talked to hundreds of people ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Baptist

Fullness In The Field Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Jul 8, 2020

As Ruth entered what appeared to be a random field, in hopes of being able to glean enough to survive, she had no idea of the providence of God at work in her life. She came empty, and yet, she would leave filled.

Fullness in the Field Ruth 2:8-14 It has been a long journey from the desolation and desperation of Moab. Surely Ruth wondered what she would find as she made her way to a new land. I’m sure there were fears and uncertainties in her mind. Even though she was unaware, God was providentially ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:8-14

Denomination: Baptist

Did Jesus Really Die And Rise Again?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 9, 2004

The empty cross and risen Lord is the paramount doctrine upon which the believer rests his or her eternal destiny. I Corinthians 15:14 states that if Christ did not die and rise, then our preaching and faith is completely worthless.

DID JESUS REALLY DIE AND RISE AGAIN? I CORINTHIANS 15:1-9 Key Verses: 3-4 “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Go! And Know The Greatest Proof: How You Can Know The Bible And Christianity Are Real Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 28, 2025

What is the best proof that the Bible and Christianity are real? The greatest proof, the most unshakeable evidence, is a Person—Jesus Christ Himself—revealed in Scripture and living in His redeemed people by the power of the Holy Spirit.

GO! and Know The Greatest Proof: How You Can Know the Bible and Christianity Are Real INTRODUCTION: Church, let me ask you a question that has echoed across centuries, whispered in classrooms, shouted in debates, and whispered in hearts during dark nights of doubt: “What is the best proof that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Isaiah 46:9-10, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 11:12-13, Matthew 26:15, Romans 1:16, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 59:2, Isaiah 53:5-6, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Can I Know God Exists Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Sep 19, 2003

First sermon in a series dealing with the Tough Questions of Scripture. This message looks at four areas regarding the existence of God: our conscience, nature, the Bible, and finally Jesus Himself.

ANSWERING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS OF SCRIPTURE How Can I Know God Exists? Psalm 19 INTRODUCTION: In looking at the tough questions of Scripture – Our first question, “How can I know God exists”, is an appropriate place to start. Every other question we will deal with or could deal with concerning ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Go Down To Go Up Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 24, 2016

Find the highest honor in the lowest places.

John Ortberg, in his book Love Beyond Reason, talks about the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, who pulled into a service station to get gas. He went inside to pay, and when he came out he noticed his wife engaged in a deep discussion with the service station attendant. It turned out that she knew him. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Just What Law Is So Precious And Sweet?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 23, 2024

Christ's last commandment is the one that the psalm is talking about, perfect, tasting sweet, priceless. That command is simply this. “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Course What is this Law that is perfect, that refreshes the soul and gives wisdom to the simple-minded? It rejoices the heart, is true and just, and more precious than gold. It tastes sweeter than syrup, or even honey straight from the comb (and I know how tasty ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:18-23, Psalm 19:9-11, Exodus 20:1-17, John 13:34-35

Denomination: Catholic

Our Self

Contributed by Pastor Steve Zimmerman on Aug 28, 2010

We have become a society centered on

Our Self We all are selfish by nature. The unhappy trend in North America is that self is becoming more and more important. Reality shows on T.V. underline the growth of this attitude; that self is the primary motive of people in this culture. The antics on these shows, we laugh at, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The End Of The Spear: Let God Write Your Story

Contributed by Steve Saint on Jan 4, 2006

When we let Him, God uses the chapters of our lives to write His epic story; the timeless story of His longing to reconcile the world to Himself.

“Let God Write Your Story” Sermon by Steve Saint th October 24 , 2004 Cornerstone Church - St. Cloud, FL Adapted by Bearing Fruit Communications Courtesy of ITEC Ministries - www.itecusa.org Scripture References: Proverbs 16:9; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 29:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 Who’s ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-13

Denomination: *other

Matthew The Tax Collector Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 18, 2021

Matthew was a rebel who had fulfilled his dream in the world, and who realized it was not satisfying. He calls himself the publican, however, in his Gospel, because he rejoices that he is a trophy of grace.

Someone said, you never could take your money with you, but some can remember when the government would let you keep some while you were still here. It is hard for many to believe that our country was founded partly to avoid taxation. As bad as taxes are, however, only two classes of people ever ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-16

Who Did His Father's Will?

Contributed by William Mouser on Oct 25, 2005

Right words never exceed right deeds, though it is always best when words and deeds match one another. Jesus’ parable of the two sons urges us to repent of our empty words and to fill them with obedience.

Who Did His Father’s Will? Matt 21:28-32 Jesus’ teaching has many places in it where it is difficult to understand what he means. And, then there are those places where his meaning is clear, but the application what he says is tricky – or so we like to think. We have one of those places in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Behold The Servant-King: Following Jesus Through The Prophecies Of Isaiah Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 7, 2026

Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was already preaching the Gospel. The book of Isaiah is not merely ancient poetry or distant prophecy—it is a Spirit-breathed portrait of Jesus Christ.

Behold the Servant-King: Following Jesus Through the Prophecies of Isaiah Introduction: Seeing Jesus Before He Was Seen Church, disciples of Jesus Christ, today we stand on holy ground. Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:32-33, Philippians 2:6-11, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 8:32-35, Numbers 6:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Come And See! Series

Contributed by Tim Diack on Apr 1, 2013

The heart of our faith is the reality of the resurrection. At the empty tomb three commands were spoken to the two women – “Do not fear – Come and see – Go and tell.” They apply to us today as well!

Come and See! - Matthew 28:1-10 - March 31, 2013 Series: Easter Sunday I’m going to read a few verses to you from the Gospel of Luke as we begin this morning, and as I read them, I invite you to simply listen to what is being said, and to try to grasp the impact that Jesus’ words ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: *other