Sermons on Emptying Himself:

Why Is The Pursuit Of Success So Empty? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 8, 2013

This is the second message in a series from the book of Ecclesiastes that examines Solomon's wisdom in regard to the mistakes that he had made in his life. This message examines the pursuit of success how it is always elusive and leaves one feeling empty.

Dear Diary, “I want to be a success but the harder I pursue success the more empty I feel.” As we begin I really feel that we must answer three extremely difficult questions. What drives you? What causes you to work the way you do? What happens to all you have worked for when you exit ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Easter 2015: Empty Promises Of Easter

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Mar 22, 2016

Let's examine the promises of Easter. Each promise is marked by something empty—an empty cross, empty clothes, and an empty cave. It is the very fact that each of these is empty that assures us God's promises are not.

EASTER: EMPTY PROMISES Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 3/27/2016 I just want to take a moment to thank everyone for choosing to spend Easter morning with us here at the Grove. Whether you’ve been coming to the Grove all your life, or this is your first time visiting, or ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

We Are Empty Handed Without God

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Oct 24, 2014

To show that GOD does not want us to labor hard to earn money, but to labor hard for His Presence.

I. EXORDIUM: Are you a hard worker to earn more money? STOP. Must be a hard worker in the ministry not in work to earn money for GOD gives money to us as a gift. It's a blessing. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To show that GOD does not want us to labor hard to earn money, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 31:42

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Empty Tomb Opens My Eyes

Contributed by Kyle Meador on Apr 18, 2001

In the resurrection of Jesus, God opens my eyes to the greatest meanings of Easter.

The Empty Tomb Opens My Eyes Surely you’ve heard the joke about the three college students who were appearing in a national academic competition. The contest had come down to three final students. One was from Rice University, one was from Princeton University and the third was from Oklahoma State ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:31-33, 1 Peter 1:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Knew

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Mar 9, 2023

If you "know" Jesus, your life will be different.

If You Knew – John 4: 5 - 26 Intro: The Grand Emir of an Arab nation was visiting the US for the first time. He was being wined and dined by the State Department. The Grand Emir was unused to the salty American foods. Consequently, he sent his manservant, Abdul ...read more

Scripture: John 4:5-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Our Humble God

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on May 22, 2024

Jesus humbled Himself and came to Earth as a willingly slave

God Became One of Us Philippians 2:5-11 (part 2) Good morning. This morning, I am going to start, by reading the Bible passage where Jesus was transfigured right before the eyes of three of His Disciples. Matthew 17:1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Michael Jackson's Elusive Joy

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Jul 2, 2009

What Is My Outlook For Life? 1. Life is not necessarily a life of comfort and ease. 2. Life is not dependent on outside circumstances. 3. Life is not glamorous, flashy or outwardly impressive.

Proverbs 12:15KJV 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: .....Proverbs 14:12KJV – Prov. 16:25 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Romans 6:20-21KJV 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Why Do We Come To The Tomb?"

Contributed by Paul Norwood on May 7, 2018

A sermon prepared for "Easter" Sunday and compares the reasons folks came to the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest and our reasons for assembling to worship on the first day of the week.

I. Welcome II. Introduction MercyMe first released their hit song I Can Only Imagine in 1999. Since then, I’ve heard this song played numerous times at funerals as one imagines being in heaven and in the presence of God. The movie by the same name was released last month with much greater success ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Turn On The Light! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 14, 2021

What does it mean to "empty" oneself? Something will fill the vacuum! When we empty ourself for Jesus--who is the perfect example of emptying oneself--we will be filled with His nature... and shine like lights!

I. Intro A. My kids and I are reading a series of books of historical fiction entitled The American Adventure, which follow the lives of various children as the history of our nation unfolds around them. One of the things that has always been the case is that, the older we get, the less we like ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Four Things The Empty Tomb Tells Us

Contributed by John Gaston on Apr 21, 2019

The empty tomb is a living witness. It tells us that Death is no longer to be feared, that Sin has been conquered, that a New Life is available, and that Immortality is possible.

FOUR THINGS THE EMPTY TOMB TELLS US Luke 24:1-6; 36-47 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. It was Easter. A Sunday School teacher had just finished telling her third graders about how Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb with a great stone sealing the opening. 2. Then, wanting to share the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-47

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Easter 2019

Contributed by Stephen Sheane on Apr 23, 2019

The empty tomb reminds us of God's Power, Priority and Presence in our lives.

EASTER Back in 1922 a British archaeologist named Howard Carter became famous when he discovered the intact tomb of King Tutankhamun, a young Egyptian pharaoh who lived and ruled in about 1332 BC. Other tombs in Egypt had been found before this, but what made this tomb so unique was the fact that ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Jesus' Empty Tomb Is A Place Of Life

Contributed by Edward Frey on Apr 18, 2003

Easter morning injects a rock-solid conviction that our sins are forgiven.

Some call it coffin commercialism. Those who want to make a final statement about their life can now choose customized, personalized, caskets to tell their story. Business is thriving at the Whitelight Casket Company of Dallas, which has introduced the “art casket” for those who wouldn’t be caught ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

From Empty Pots To Overflowing Joy

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Mar 14, 2025

Life is full of seasons—times of emptiness and times of abundance. The story of the wedding at Cana demonstrates how Jesus can turn a situation of lack into one of overflowing joy.

FROM EMPTY POTS TO OVERFLOWING JOY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: John 2:1-11 "Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim." – John 2:7 Supporting Texts: Psalm 30:5, Joel 2:25-26, Isaiah 61:3, John 16:24, Romans 15:13 INTRODUCTION: Life ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Worship Becomes Empty Words PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2025

The sermon urges us to approach God with reverence, listen before speaking, and honor our promises, trusting that God shapes the world through prayerful hearts.

There’s a hush that falls on the heart when we remember who God is. The ancient preacher of Ecclesiastes takes us by the hand and leads us into that hush. He knows about rushed mornings and restless nights. He knows about hurried hands and harried hearts. And he whispers a needed word to weary ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Topics: Worship, Reverence

Jesus' Empty Tomb Is Life Changing

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Apr 3, 2008

Easter / Resurrection Sunday (B) - Jesus’ empty tomb is life changing. See how people come to the empty tomb. See how the people leave the empty tomb.

JESUS’ EMPTY TOMB IS LIFE CHANGING (Outline) March 23, 2008 – EASTER SUNDAY - John 20:1-8 INTRO: Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! This simple statement of fact is the bold confession of our Christian faith. Jesus’ empty tomb stands in contrast to the graves of everyone ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran