Sermons on Emptying Oneself:

Dazed By Discontent And Disappointment - When Hopes And Dreams Are Shattered On The Rocks Of Regret

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Nov 20, 2025

There are times during the Christian walk, even when the miraculous is happening all around, that things will go haywire as the reality of this life intervenes unannounced, and hopes and dreams are dashed on the rocks of regret, which manifest as fear and anger at God because they feel betrayed.

Fear and hope are similar in that they are both forms of anticipation of the future. Fear is a form of negative hope. A person’s thinking is often dominated either by the dream and hope of success or by fear of failure. When their hopes are not realized, or their desires, dreams, expectations, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:24-25, Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Show His Image Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 23, 2012

Our text teaches us three ways we are to show others the image of Jesus.

Opening video illustration: From the movie Amistad. In the scene two slave prisoners are in the jail cell and looking through the Bible and seeing the image of Jesus. The one slave is pointing out Jesus to the other one. Series: Imitators Summary of first two messages: Sermon1: Reflect His Image! 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Road Less Traveled Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 14, 2010

1) The Disciple’s Confession (Mark 8:27-33) and 2) The Disciple’s Lifestyle (Mark 8:34-38)

The merchant vessel, the Sun Sea slowly made its way south along the outer edge of Vancouver Island on Thursday night. It’s a small freighter packed with almost 500 smuggled migrants who had crossed the Pacific Ocean to the West Coast of Canada. Whether it is by covert border crossings, human ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Other

Neglected Instructions

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2009

Paul final instructions to the Corinthians are too frequently neglected in the rush for self-fulfillment in this day. The Apostle would urge modern believers to embrace these instructions or face defeat before the enemy of the soul.

1 CORINTHIANS 16:13, 14 NEGLECTED INSTRUCTIONS “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” A fusillade of commands at the conclusion of most of his letters is a mark of authenticity for Paul’s letters; and this first letter to the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Orthodoxy Of The Devil Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2008

If we believe there is a God, our faith is no better than that of the demons. They believe God is one, and they shudder. The message explores the faith of the demons, encouraging us to have the faith of saints.

JAMES 2:18-19 ORTHODOXY OF THE DEVIL “Someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Though orthopraxy is absolutely ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

Love Or Lust Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 4, 2015

When you compare love verse lust you very quickly discover that one leads to happiness, blessings and fulfillment in life while the other leads to discontentment, guilt, curses and despair in life. Which will you choose?

Sermon: “Rooted in Love not Lust” Series: Rooted - Youth Group Opening Video: Sermoncentral.com “Love Defined” Hands on Illustration: 2 tablets have youth write Gods definition of love and how he describes it and the world’s definition of love on separate ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Excellent Wife Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 25, 2020

1) The basic Matter of the submission (Ephesians 5:22a), its 2) Manner, 3) Motive (Ephesians 5:22b-23a), & the 3) Model of Submission. (Ephesians 5:23b-24).

Ephesians 5:22-24 [22] Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. [24] Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Other

Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Apr 24, 2023

"Blessed are the peacemakers." Our concept of peacemaking must be based on scriptural revelation. Biblical peacemaking is not appeasement. We know that from God's example of making peace. What is biblical peacemaking and how is it rewarded?

Intro We come today to the 7th Beatitude found in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”i We are approaching the pinnacle of this list of attributes that bring blessing on a person’s life. Everybody wants to be blessed. But not everybody is willing to take ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, John 8:35-44, Romans 8:1-17, Jeremiah 6:14, Isaiah 57:20-21, James 4:1-3, Isaiah 30:1-21, Isaiah 52:7, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Peter 2:1-23, Ephesians 4:1-3, Numbers 6:21-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

And Then Some!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jul 2, 2002

James Byrnes, Sec’y of State under FDR, said that the difference between successful people & average people can be summed up in 3 words, "and then some." He said, "Average people do what is expected. Successful people do what is expected, & then some."

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH BROWNSVILLE, TX A. When we read the Bible, one of the things that has to impress us is that God is often calling upon His people to do things they normally couldn’t do by themselves, but that they can do with His help. God is always saying, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Do You Seek The Living Among The Dead?

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Apr 22, 2003

We do it all the time, looking for living things in dead places. This sermon is an Easter sunrise message designed to remind us our faith is all about life, not death.

THE PASTOR’S POINTS sermon ministry of CEDAR LODGE BAPTIST CHURCH Thomasville, NC A fellowship of faith, family and friendships. ------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends, The following sermon was prepared for Easter Sunrise service at our church. I never got to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-9

Denomination: United Methodist

"I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

when I imagine the story of Mary, and how weeping Mary turned into surprised Mary turned into responsive Mary, I see the power, the potential, the possibilities that come from lives that are lived in relationship with the living Lord Jesus.

“I Have Seen Jesus: Have You?” – Series: Seeing Jesus Apr 15, 2007 John 20:11-18 Intro: Christ is Risen! It is true, it is gloriously true – Christ is Risen! So, now what? The greatest story, our most important story, has just last week reached its climax. Our Lord, crucified, but then ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

No One Comes Back From The Dead

Contributed by Brien Sims on Jun 23, 2008

Proof of the Resurrection.

We demand evidence when we are accused of almost anything. If you have ever had a car wreck with someone else, you know how quickly the blame game starts but usually the evidence can prove who was really at fault. The best part about a car wreck is how the other person reacts, regardless of ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fresh Starts And Living Hope

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on May 19, 2008

Using Peter as an example of how the Resurrection of Jesus gives us fresh starts and living hope

It had been the worst two and a half days of their lives. First the Master had brought them to the Garden of Gethsemane just outside of Jerusalem to pray, but instead they fell asleep, after all it was late. Perhaps if they had been awake and watchful they would have noticed the torches of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Resurrection Series

Contributed by John Oscar on Aug 29, 2022

This message is from the Sermon Central Series, "From the Ashes" and is heavily edited for use in our church.

From the Ashes Week 6 - Resurrection Scripture: Luke 24, Job 38-42, 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:20 Introduction Over the last several week where we have been together, we have been learning how to recover after something happens that seems to reduce our life to ashes. This morning, we ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Power In Praise

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 2, 2001

Reasons and guidelines for praising God using His attributes

Fifty Benefits That You Gain By Praising God (Ephesians 1) Illustration:I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is ...read more

Scripture: John 17:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational