Sermons on Emptying Oneself:

Is There Wisdom In Wisdom? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 29, 2015

God was pleased to give Solomon His wisdom and Solomon often spoke of the importance of seeking that wisdom. So, why was Solomon telling us here in Ecclesiastes that wisdom is empty and disappointing?

TITLE: Is There Wisdom In Wisdom? TEXT: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18/2:12-16 The average public library has between 10,000 to 15,000 books on its shelves. (http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/50441) During the War of 1812 (between England and America), the British invaded Washington D.C. and burnt much of it ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Life's Most Important Question

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jun 30, 2014

When the ladies came to the empty tomb, the angel said, "You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified." This statement begs us to answer this question, "Who or what is it that you seek?"

Life’s Most Important Question Mark 16:1-8 • To read about the resurrection of Jesus is – well – just plain exciting. Jesus’ heart stopped bleeding, His blood stopped flowing, His human brain stopped working, & He was buried for THREE DAYS before HE CAME BACK TO LIFE ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 32 - Acknowledging Our Sin Is To Be Our Regular Practice

Contributed by Neil Olcott on Jul 29, 2023

Have you ever felt that your relationship with God has been, not just stagnant, but wooden and hollow, with no life, no relationship, no joy, no vibrancy or flourishing? Like it is forced and faked and empty?

This morning we are looking at Psalm 32 and we find that it is written by King David. It’s a psalm paired with Psalm 51. They’re bound together. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love.” And they’re bound together because the context of the psalm is 2 Samuel chapters 11 and 12. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Risen Indeed! Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 18, 2025

The empty tomb is not a symbol of loss—it is a declaration of victory. Jesus is not in the grave; He is alive forevermore! Because He lives, we live. Because He rose, we rise.

HE IS RISEN INDEED! By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 24:6 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 15:14-20, Romans 4:25, Acts 2:24, Revelation 1:18, Matthew 28:6 INTRODUCTION: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Everything we believe hinges on the fact that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The - First Light - Factor Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Oct 5, 2008

To some people, the world is a dark and difficult experience. But in the midst of their frustration, there is the hint of eternity that makes them hope that there is something more than they are presently experiencing.

(Twenty years ago I heard a preacher give a sermon with the same kinds of opening and closing illustrations. It left such an impression on me that I have waited all this time to preach this specific sermon.) OPEN: Nine men lay trapped more than 200 feet beneath the ground in a coal mine in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Resurrection: Fact Or Fiction?

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 16, 2025

Some of you have played Jenga with your family, right? You seek to pull piece after piece out without the tower collapsing. If Christianity were a Jenga tower, the resurrection is the one block that, when pulled, the tower comes crashing down every single time.

Dead people stay dead.1 “Nobody goes to funerals and says, ‘What’s the over/under if this person comes alive again?’” I have yet to see one dead person come back to life. I doubt you have seen any dead person live again, either. Once people have gone down the road of death, they just don’t return.2 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Soggy Sardine Sandwich

Contributed by Dan Dunn on Dec 1, 2000

Jesus wants what you have, and who you are: when you don’t take the place in the Body of Christ that God has designed for you, that place remains empty.

You have perhaps experienced as I have, that life can be humbling sometime. A five-year-old was sitting with her grandfather in her room one day, and she asked him, “Grandpa, did God make you?” “Yes, child,” came the reply. “God made me.” The child paused for a moment, and then asked, “And ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-13

Denomination: Methodist

Is There Room For Jesus?

Contributed by Jonathan Mckay on Nov 19, 2001

Christmas is more than just fancy wrappings and bright lights. If we are truly honest with ourselves and God, we too must confess, that our hearts are empty stalls that to be filled with a Saviour!

1." WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW?"....THE QUESTION ECHOED SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF MY HEAD! IT WAS ALMOST AS THOUGH IT WERE SYNCHRONIZED, BETWEEN MY FOOT FALLS ON THE PAVEMENT. 2. I HAD BEEN SEARCHING HIGH AND LOW FOR THE PERFECT STORY, A STORY THAT I HAD HOPED TO READ IN CHURCH TONIGHT. MAYBE EVEN ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Check The Rock!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 27, 2004

We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus.

Check the Rock! It Rocks! COOL!: Easter Sermon 2004 Thesis: We at Easter need to be COOL by doing the following actions: 1. Check the rock. 2. Observe the empty tomb. 3. Open our spiritual eyes. 4. Look and see Jesus. Scripture Text: Matthew 28:1-20; (Play on CD) Luke 24:1-10; Mark 16:1-8 So ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 24:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Road Signs

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 12, 2010

A sermon on 2 Kings 4:1-7 on filling up empty vessels (Much material and title taken from "One Month to Live" Day 22 by Kerry and Chris Shook)

Sermon for 1/10/2010 Road Signs (Day 22 of One Month to Live) 2 Kings 4:1-7 Introduction: A. If we had only a limited amount of time to live, the temptation might be to plead with God for a miracle to extend our lives. This is called bargaining. God doesn’t work that way. Oh, God might ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ruth Rejoicing Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Feb 21, 2010

In four short chapters we move from tragedy to triumph, from despair to joy, from emptiness to fullness. This book begins with famine and funerals, and concludes with a wedding and the joyful birth of a son.

The final chapter of this quiet drama takes place before the town gate of Bethlehem, where all important transactions were conducted. Here is where the matter of Ruth the foreigner would be settled. After the late-night rendezvous of chapter 3, Boaz goes right to work; he finds his kinsman and ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Congregational

Father To Pharaoh

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 16, 2009

There is pain in family relationships. Jacob’s emptiness created Benjamin, the zero. Judah repeats parental manipulation. But Joseph shows that God’s grace can turn family pain into accomplishment.

The emotional scene we are about to confront comes out of a long history of deals and double deals. When this man stands before his brothers and weeps, his tears flow out of a whole reservoir of pent-up feelings. When this man, this strong, savvy, sophisticated official, cries out in a pain so ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Easter 2011, Part 3

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Apr 17, 2011

What is the price of a human being? Do we fully comprehend the cost that Jesus paid when suffering for our sins? We must; else His death is empty and without meaning.

Easter, Part 3 Matthew 27:22-31 Introduction - This morning we continue our 5 week mini-series on the Easter season - Over the past two weeks we’ve discussed the triumphant entry -- Understanding the response of a crowd who needed a Savior - And we’ve also covered the Lord’s Supper, final team ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Apostles Sent To Preach The Good News

Contributed by William Baeta on Jan 24, 2014

“For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1Cor 1:17)

Theme: Apostles sent to preach the Good news Text: Is. 9:1-4; 1 Cor. 1:10-18; Matt. 4:12-23 The meaning of the word apostle is one who is sent - a messenger or an ambassador. In the Christian sense, anyone sent by God on a mission is an apostle. John the Baptist was sent to proclaim the good ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-23

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Seeing Is Believing Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 27, 2021

Peter, John and Mary Magdalene all saw the empty tomb... but they all came away with different conclusions. What can we learn from these first three witnesses of the risen Christ?

On May 4, 1865, after weeks of his body being on display in Washington D.C. and a few other cities, Abraham Lincoln was “laid to rest” in a cemetery near his home in Springfield, Illinois. But Lincoln didn’t "rest in peace." In 1876, there was a plot to raid his grave and steal his ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ