Sermons on Emptying Oneself:

No Light In The Lamp

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 5, 2025

Obedience is not empty duty, but the surrendered, grateful, Spirit-filled response of a heart alive in Christ.

Opening Story – The Boy in the Corner A little boy had been disobedient. His mother sent him to the corner and said, “You sit there.” With folded arms, slumped in his chair, he muttered, “I might be sitting on the outside, but I’m standing on the inside.” That’s obedience… but only on the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:2-4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When Old Ways End Series

Contributed by Scotty Killingsworth on Mar 24, 2004

Emptying ones life of bad stuff is just not good enough. No one can maintain an empty life. Something must occupy your space. Something will occupy your life. We choose what we let in.

This sermon was preached by Scotty L Killingsworth on March 7, 2004. The Biblical text is taken from Colossians 3. The sermon title is: When old ways end Nearly everything Jesus did brought change to the world. Nearly everything we do at Evergreen Church is about change. We value ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Living Hope Of Easter

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Apr 6, 2016

Hollow Hope or Living Hope? Where do you find your hope? Are you hoping to fill up on something that will leave you empty? Or are you filling up on the empty tomb that brings powerful, living and lasting hope?

1 Peter 1:3,4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you What did you hope ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-4

Denomination: Lutheran

Take My Life And Let It Be Consecrated, Lord, To Thee

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Consecration - To dedicate yourself completely to God’s purpose, priorities, processes, power and person. Learning to wholly trust in Jesus Christ for all aspects of life. To set oneself apart from the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life for the p

Practical Guidelines for Consecration Consecration - To dedicate yourself completely to God’s purpose, priorities, processes, power and person. Learning to wholly trust in Jesus Christ for all aspects of life. To set oneself apart from the worries, riches, and pleasures of this life for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What It Takes To Be A Christian Hero

Contributed by Jerry Flury on May 23, 2003

What does God look for in a hero? Those who are willing to 1. believe God’s Word, 2. commit to God’s Will, and 3. devote oneself to God’s Work.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CHRISTIAN HERO HEBREWS 11:32-12:2 INTRODUCTION: Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. It is a time in which we honor many of our nation’s heroes. Let me ask you what is a hero? One dictionary ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Ye Shall Be Holy Unto God

Contributed by Darrell Jones on Jun 14, 2005

What is holiness? The word HOLY used here means to be or to keep oneself pure or to sanctify yourself wholly.Let us look at four statements here in this verse that help define personal holiness.

What exactly does it mean to be HOLY? I think I can better answer that question if I know what being Holy is not. For instance, if you shout all over the church while tripping over your tongue, That is not Holy. If you withhold your tithe to starve the pastor out, That is not Holy. If you prefer ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 20:26

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Judgment Is Revealed Series

Contributed by Bruce Willis on Oct 1, 2007

This sermon seeks to encourage an honest look at oneself in light of the judgment you pass on others; for when you criticize negative traits in others you are revealing the things which you dislike in yourself.

In his introduction to this passage, Greg Herrick relates someone has once joked that the definition of a jury is: “twelve people chosen to decide who has the best lawyer.” And with the current state of law suits in America, it’s no wonder that people are skeptical about truth and justice in our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

No Lie Is Of The Truth

Contributed by Trae Durden on Jun 10, 2013

Knowing the Bible for oneself is the only sure way to have confidence in our salvation. The Christian faith is an individual and personal faith. But many trust their faith to the study of others, and in turn are led astray by lies.

“No Lie is of the Truth” John 8:42-44 Introduction: There are lies being told in our world today. I’ve been lied to, I’m sure you’ve been lied to. Lies aren’t always told by people with evil desires, sometimes they just don’t know the truth, and they say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:1-34

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Love Reigns Sermon V: Love Bears Burdens Freely And Humbly Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 25, 2020

To truly love others - also, oneself - is to cultivate humility by which to share some burdens of others, shoulder some burdens of our own, shed some burdens we have no business carrying.

LOVE BEARS BURDENS FREELY AND HUMBLY A woman lost her son in battle, and could find no comfort. She went to a wise counselor and asked what to do. Said he: “Go find a home that has no sorrow, bring back a mustard seed, and God will ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-15

What Is Revival?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 19, 2022

What is revival? Revival is a restitution or a restoration to spiritual vigor. Revival is a reawakening of spiritual fervor. It is to revitalize the spiritual ardor of oneself, of a group of believers so as to reestablish the ability to win new members to Christ.

What is revival? Revival is a restitution or a restoration to spiritual vigor. Revival is a reawakening of spiritual fervor. It is to revitalize the spiritual ardor of oneself, of a group of believers so as to reestablish the ability to win new members to Christ. As Spurgeon said, “Revival is to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Living A Life Of Self-Control Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 21, 2025

Self-control is one of the most vital virtues for every believer who desires to live a victorious Christian life. It is the ability to restrain oneself from sinful desires, harmful habits, and impulsive reactions.

LIVING A LIFE OF SELF-CONTROL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Titus 2:11-12 Supporting Texts: Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Proverbs 25:28, 2 Peter 1:5-7, Romans 8:13 INTRODUCTION: Self-control is one of the most vital virtues for every believer who desires to live a victorious ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Feb 28, 2014

Humility and humility is defined in the model of Christ. That's the pattern we have to follow, people. There are no shortcuts, no quick fixes. We'll have unity when we have humility, we'll have humility when we do like Christ did, and we come all the way down.

Opening illustration: Bill, a college student, was a new Christian. According to author Rebecca Manley Pippert, one Sunday he visited a church near campus. He walked in barefoot and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The service had already started, so he walked down the aisle looking for a seat. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

We'll have unity when we have humility, we'll have humility when we do like Christ did, and we come all the way down. I hope that every time you read that passage you'll not only think about Christ but you'll compare yourself to the standard because ...

Opening illustration: Bill, a college student, was a new Christian. According to author Rebecca Manley Pippert, one Sunday he visited a church near campus. He walked in barefoot and was wearing a T-shirt and jeans. The service had already started, so he walked down the aisle looking for a seat. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Blessing Of A Willing Vessel

Contributed by Joyce Scott on Mar 22, 2003

Mary’s blessing came as a result of her willingness to be used of God. I’m convinced that it is not our "fullness" that attracts God, but our "emptiness". If you are willing to be used of God, and learn to be emptied of "self", then God will use you to d

THE BLESSING OF BEING A WILLING VESSEL LUKE 1:28-30 WHEN GABRIEL, GOD’S ANGELIC MESSENGER APPEARED TO MARY WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT HER RESPONSE REVEALED HER KEEN WILLINGNESS TO OBEY GOD. WHAT GOD’S WORD PROPOSED TO HER WAS EXTRAORDINARY AND UNUSUAL BUT UNIQUELY ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

What's The Difference? " Half Full, Half Empty" July 21, 2024

Contributed by Pastor Charles Wilkins on Jul 23, 2024

Depending on how you chose to look at it, Life can be a glass half full or a glass half empty.

Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Silly question, right? But it really is all about perspective, and this question can tell you a lot about a person’s mindset. Some people describe that glass as half empty. Those are the pessimists. Others see that glass as being half full. They are ...read more

Scripture: John 21:5

Denomination: Church Of God