Sermons on Emptying Himself:

3 More Than Stuff Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 11, 2025

Christmas tells us that more presents equal more joy… but is that really true? In this message, we explore the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:1–20 and see how they discovered a joy far better than anything the world could wrap. Real joy isn’t something you open — it’s Someone you meet.

INTRODUCTION It’s great to be able to share our Christmas series Beyond the Hype — looking at how God invites us into something so much deeper and longer-lasting than the pressure-filled version of Christmas the world often sells us. Today we’re looking at a theme we all know too well this time of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Ramon Muniz on Oct 7, 2002

Jesus called himself "The Good Shepherd." This message looks at proving that Only Jesus fills this role. He is "good" because He is God. He is the Shepherd, not just a shepherd.

“THE GOOD SHEPERD” Over the past 6 weeks we have looked at the “I AM” statements of Christ. We have explored significant lessons Jesus gave as He made these descriptive statements about himself. “I AM” - He clearly used it to identify himself as God “I AM the way, the truth & the life” – In ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Is Risen!

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 19, 2018

The Easter story calls us to follow in the footsteps of the women who were the first to encounter the risen Jesus: in seeking his presence day by day, in worshiping him as our Lord and Savior, and in going out to call people in.

[Sermon preached on 1 April 2018, Easter Sunday / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] “Were you there when they crucified our Lord?” It is a rhetorical question. Of course, we were not there when they crucified our Lord. The drama that we watched at the beginning of the service gives us some idea of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Lutheran

The Ultimate Easter Egg

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 20, 2002

The empty tomb of Jesus is God’s ultimate Easter egg!

The Ultimate Easter Egg Luke 24:1-12 March 31, 2002: Easter morning Introduction Recently, an article was published that revealed the secrets of hidden “surprises” in computer software and video games. Programmers add these surprises to give the programs an added appeal. Some of the examples were ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-12

Denomination: Church Of God

"From Chaos To Redemption"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 11, 2003

The God of Creation takes empty lives and gives them purpose.

Genesis 1:1-5 “From Chaos To Redemption” By: Rev. Kenneth Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA The first 5 verses of the Bible inform us that God brought Creation out of chaos. And chaos is a word that we--as Americans--understand in a way that we never have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: United Methodist

Rescurrection From The Dead

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Mar 19, 2007

An Easter Sermon about no need for a gravestone because the "tomb is empty"!

I. Used Tombstone...Real Bargain (1) Dr. Paul Stuckey is pastor at Grace United Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He tells the story of an eye-catching ad in a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, newspaper’s classified section. Big, bold letters advertised "Used Tombstone. " The ad’s text read as follows: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:1-12

Denomination: United Methodist

Christ's Mind Of Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Mar 16, 2018

To establish that Christ had a mind of submission, sacrifice and serenity (great patience); when He came to earth, to do the will of His Father. This lesson is the second of three in the series: “The Mind of Christ.”

INTRODUCTION Outline. Christ’s Mind of Sacrifice Remarks. 1. Today we are going to be discussing the mind of Christ. The beloved apostle Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to: “If there be therefore in a consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

I Believe It, But I Don’t Get It Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on Dec 5, 2011

How did Peter and John differ in their reactions to seeing the empty tomb?

John 20:1-9 – I Believe it, but I Don’t Get it This morning we are starting a post-Resurrection series, that is, telling stories about what happened after that first Easter. We certainly believe that Jesus was raised from the dead on that spring Sunday many years ago, but what happened ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Is Alive! True Of False Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Apr 9, 2004

There are a lot of crazy "theories" as to why the tomb is empty. This is a simple look at them

INTRODUCTION • What a wonderful day! Today we celebrate the fact that Jesus is alive! • Over the last three weeks we have looked at the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, that He is the only way to God; and that He died for you. • If we let the story end right there, we would then fit in with ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"Gifts From The Grave"

Contributed by Paul Norwood on Apr 21, 2014

Five gifts given to God's children because of the resurrection or the empty tomb.

“Gifts from the Grave” Text: Luke 24:1-8 I. Welcome II. Introduction When we lived in Hawaii, one of the great blessings was seeing these three cemeteries: Punchbowl; the Valley of the Temples; and the Arizona Memorial. We didn’t know anyone buried in these three locations but we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Hidden Things

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 3, 2011

God hides himself from the arrogant and reveals himself to the humble, childlike people who love him.

Imagine that you hear the roar of a car engine outside your door. As you look out, you see a red sports convertible, and in it is a young man with flowing hair and mirrored sunglasses. You can see that he is well tanned because he doesn’t have a shirt on — just shorts and flip flops. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

Making The Impossible Possible

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jan 24, 2023

Because of the work of the suffering servant, we don’t have to live empty, barren, unfruitful lives anymore. We can rejoice because we have everything necessary for a dynamic spiritual life and godliness through the true and personal knowledge of the One who called us to Himself.

Now, here we are at the beginning of the year 2023. Even though we have no idea what this year holds for us, I know that God wants us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and take steps of faith to trust Him for even greater things, to watch Him take seemingly impossible situations and make ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come Up Hither.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 4, 2022

Whoever exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

COME UP HITHER. Proverbs 25:6-7. This proverb is doubtless what Jesus had in mind when He made His own parable about people choosing the finest seats for themselves at a feast (Luke 14:7-11). There are always ranks in society, any society. Solomon speaks of a king, and of “great men.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Glorious Future.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 13, 2025

It is remarkable that the LORD Himself should commit Himself to wash away our sins.

A GLORIOUS FUTURE. Isaiah 4:2-6. ISAIAH 4:2. “In that day” is the same expression as is used in the preceding chapters (cf. Isaiah 2:11-12; Isaiah 2:17; Isaiah 2:20). There it speaks of the desperation of both men (cf. Isaiah 3:6-7), and women (cf. Isaiah 3:18; Isaiah 4:1) under the judgment of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 4:2-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Angel's Rock Solid Chair Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Feb 28, 2018

Why does Matthew mention that the Angel sat on the boulder that was in the front of the tomb of Jesus? This message answers this question to help us understand more about the significance of the work of Jesus.

The message below is more in note form. Message Matthew 28:2 An Angel's Rock Solid Chair Read Matthew 27:62-28:10 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. Lent Series:- Strange and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:2

Denomination: Baptist