Sermons on Emptying Oneself:

The Wait Is On

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Dec 2, 2011

Waiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for.

The Wait Is On Advent #1 Nov 27, 2011 Intro: What do the following have in common: • Doctor’s office • Holiday shopping • Connecting flights • Red light • Advent Can you guess? The answer is waiting, and that that is what we are going to explore together ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:6-25

Denomination: Baptist

Looking Into The Tomb Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jan 13, 2006

The stone was rolled away from the tomb to allow us to see that the Lord had risen; the empty tomb and the resurrection appearances of Jesus is the reason for the church’s existence.

"Looking Into The Tomb" Matthew 28:1-10 May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be alway acceptable, O Lord our strength and our redeemer. Friends: Where the gospel according to Matthew ends, the Christian faith begins - in the resurrection of our Lord. None of us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Anglican

The Unfinished Story

Contributed by Beth Garrod-Logsdon on Apr 14, 2009

We have received the same message at the empty tomb as the women did. What will we do with it? Keep it a secret? Run away in fear? Go and tell?

The Unfinished Story Mark 16:1-8 Easter 2009 Do you know the best way to make sure news spreads quickly? Tell someone NOT to tell anyone else! That’s what makes gossip so tempting. We love to hear and share stories about others, especially when we’re not supposed to! Throughout the gospel of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Redemption For A Worthless Slave Series

Contributed by Mark Haines on Mar 7, 2011

The only way to the Empty Tomb goes to the Cross where Jesus died. This is the first in a series on what Jesus did for us when he died. (Theories of the Atonement)

Series Introduction: Today we start the countdown to Easter. That’s the highest day in the church year. However, there is only one way to arrive at the empty tomb of Easter Sunday. Like Jesus we need to travel to the cross. For the next 8 weeks we will discover the blessings or benefits we ...read more

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Black And White Of Following Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2022

Christ is he who will satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-10, Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

The Drug Addicts Fate

Contributed by Sheryln Miller on May 20, 2017

How will Jesus judge drug addicts? Will He say depart from me I never knew you because they wasted their lives pursuing empty pleasures?

There are many Christians hooked on prescription drugs. Some are hooked on pain medication, some are hooked on anti-depressants and alcohol. I know there are Christians who legitimately need pain medication and anti-depressants but there are some who don’t need them or need as much they are using. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's Your Pleasure? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 5, 2015

Solomon looked for pleasure in his achievements, his possessions and in his entertainment and yet finds it all to be empty and meaningless. Is there something wrong with seeking pleasure, or is there another problem?

OPEN: It was a 4th of July weekend and the family had gathered for a big meal together. In the kitchen was little 4 year old Johnny… and there on the edge of the cabinet sat the one thing he loved so much. It was a big, round, sure to be juicy, watermelon. He just couldn’t stop staring ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

You Are Unique!

Contributed by Bala Samson on Aug 27, 2015

Failures, disappointments, emptiness, hollowness, pain and betrayals are God’s tools for building! Don’t panic! Season of dancing would surely follow!

You are Unique! Psalm 126:5”Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Hey friend, God’s plan is unique in each one’s life! Others stay away when the Master is at work ! Don’t try to give your inputs and foil the plan! Job’s friends tried to give ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Transformed By Jesus: The Zacchaeus Story SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 7, 2023

Zacchaeus, a man who seemingly had it all, was in reality empty inside. His life took a turn when he encountered Jesus, leading to a profound transformation.

Zacchaeus was a man who seemed to have it all, but in reality, he had nothing. However, everything changed when Jesus entered his life. Today, we will explore the story of Zacchaeus and how his encounter with Jesus transformed him. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, working for the Roman government. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Topics: Change, Transformation

Healing At Bethesda

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 12, 2025

Modern life’s relentless pace and “idol of exhaustion” leave people physically drained and spiritually empty, setting the stage for Jesus’ Sabbath invitation to true rest.

1. The Weariness We Carry A group of pastors once met in small circles to share their lives. One question asked, “What do you enjoy doing in your spare time—how do you relax?” Again and again the answer came back: “Spare time? I don’t have any.” We fool ourselves if we think this nonstop pace ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 40:28, John 5:1-17, Matthew 11:28, Matthew 22:36-40, Mark 2:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Poor In Spirit

Contributed by Samuel M on Aug 27, 2025

Poor in the Spirit is the cycle of always receiving and always giving to others what we have received from God, resulting in we staying poor (becoming empty)

Poor in the Spirit is a state in which we are always (continually) dependent on God, receiving provisions from Him and always giving the received provisions to meet their own or others' needs. Poor in the Spirit is the cycle of always receiving and always giving to others what we have received ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Is Jesus Still Relevant In The Post-Modern Time?

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Oct 5, 2025

We are living in what many call the post-modern age — an age of progress and paradox. We have advanced in knowledge, yet many feel empty inside.

Introduction: The Age of the Unchurched and the Overwhelmed Brothers and sisters in Christ, We are living in what many call the post-modern age — an age of progress and paradox. We have advanced in knowledge, yet many feel empty inside. We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness has become ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Life Falls Apart Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 10, 2025

When life falls apart, God’s unseen hand still weaves redemption—turning famine into harvest, bitterness into blessing, and emptiness into grace-filled return.

Introduction — When the soul runs out of fuel It happens slowly. You don’t crash in a single day. First, it’s the mornings that come too soon. You lie there, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember what it used to feel like to wake up with joy. Then the evenings grow heavy. You sit in silence ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 61:3, Matthew 11:28, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Go! And Live The Crucified Life: Christ In Me, The Hope Of Glory - Galatians 2:20 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 31, 2025

Many people in this world exist—but they don’t truly live. They breathe, they eat, they work, they even succeed—but inside, they’re spiritually empty.

Go! And Live the Crucified Life: Christ In Me, The Hope of Glory - Galatians 2:20 Introduction – Living Dead but Fully Alive Have you ever heard of someone being “alive but not living”? Many people in this world exist—but they don’t truly live. They breathe, they eat, they work, they even ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:3-4, Hebrews 10:38, John 15:13, Romans 10:9, Luke 9:23  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

3. Anchored, Not Anxious (Revelation 4-5) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Nov 1, 2025

Before God shows John what’s happening on earth, He shows him what’s true in heaven. The throne is not empty, and the scroll belongs to the Lamb.

Good morning! Please open your Bibles to Revelation 4. I’ve been in Alabama long enough by now to know that every SEC football team has its own rallying cry. Its own greeting when you pass another fan at Wal-Mart. If you’re a Bama fan, you say “Roll Tide.” Auburn’s got “War Eagle.” Ole Miss ...read more

Denomination: Baptist