Sermons on Emptying Oneself:

The Gate Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 26, 2021

When we confess the name of Jesus, the I am who is the Gate, we will always have a Saviour who will bring us to the pasture of life to the full, no matter which empty-promise pastures we have detoured to along the way.

Message John 10:7 I Am The Gate When seeking to understand what Jesus means when he says, “I am the Gate we need to know the context where this is spoken. John 10:1-13 So what we have, in this context, is two “I am” statements. Jesus is the Gate. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. For us to see how Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Written In Stone

Contributed by David Roth on Apr 6, 2021

The fact of our death, although it has not yet occurred is certain and written in stone. But the fact of our resurrection in Christ, although it has not yet occurred is more certain, and written in the stone of His empty tomb and on the stone which was rolled away.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14) “Written in Stone” Alleluia, He is risen. He is risen, indeed, Alleluia. It was Saturday evening. The sun had set. The Sabbath had ended. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Paul's Sermon At Athens: The Unknown God Made Known

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jun 8, 2021

Paul began his Gospel message by pointing out the empty altar dedicated to the "Unknown God' whom the Greeks acknowledged and worshipped, then proceeded to tell them about the true and living God and how to know Him personally.

Paul had now established common ground with the men of Athens by referring to the empty altar dedicated to the God of whom they know nothing yet honored despite their ignorance and uncertainty. Paul did not chide them or charge them with blasphemy, nor does he rebuke them for their polytheism. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 48:13, Acts 4:24, Hebrews 1:10, Acts 17:24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning And Purpose Of Life

Contributed by John Newbaker on Jul 10, 2021

There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no drive, no determination, and no desires. They’re depressed, discouraged, disillusioned, and dissatisfied. They feel they have no hope.

I want to start off by asking 2 questions: 1/ Does this life have meaning and purpose, and if so, 2/ Where can we find the meaning and purpose of life? There are many people today who feel that life doesn’t have meaning and purpose. They feel empty. Nothing interests them. They have no ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Slave Or Free? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 21, 2010

The world believes that if they can be free of God, they’ll be free to do as they wish? But the Bible teaches us that everyone is a slave to something, but does that really make sense?

OPEN: I’m not sure who wrote the following words, but this story says a lot about mankind: When my oldest son was about three years old, I was outside doing some yard work one afternoon. I took Kevin outside to play while I trimmed the hedges. Holding his hand, I knelt down beside him so that we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Go! And Love As Christ Loves - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 10, 2025

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 remind us that love is central to everything we do as followers of Christ. Love is not an optional extra; it is the defining characteristic of a true disciple of Jesus.

Go! And Love as Christ Loves Introduction 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NLT) declares:"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:15, James 3:17, Colossians 3:14, Matthew 6:1, 1 John 3:16, John 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 10, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Killing "the God Of Me"

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Apr 29, 2021

There is only one throne in a person's heart; it either belongs to you or to the Lord God Almighty. Jesus won't share it with you and you cannot expect Him to do so. There is only one remedy, to kill "the god of Me" and enthrone the True and Living God there!

Killing "The god of Me” Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:6-8 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Daniel 3:1-30, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:5, 1 Peter 2:12, Exodus 20:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Hypocrisy Will Be Exposed

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

THE FALSE CLAIMS AND EMPTY TRAPPINGS OF HYPOCRISY WILL BE EXPOSED AND CONDEMNED FOR WHAT THEY ARE This was true for the fig tree that Jesus cursed This was true for the nation Israel who rejected their Messiah This is true in our lives when we fail to produce the normal fruit of a Christian li

THE FALSE CLAIMS AND EMPTY TRAPPINGS OF HYPOCRISY WILL BE EXPOSED AND CONDEMNED FOR WHAT THEY ARE This was true for the fig tree that Jesus cursed This was true for the nation Israel who rejected their Messiah This is true in our lives when we fail to produce the normal fruit of a Christian ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Carpenter's Cloth Series

Contributed by Pat Cook on May 22, 2006

This is taken from Sigmund Brouwer’s wonderful book of the same name. This speaks of the cross being only part of God’s plan of salvation for us, the empty tomb being the other. Jesus the carpenter wants to complete His work in us.

John 20:1-9 – The Carpenter’s Cloth Tonight I’m going to share a thought with you that I read several years ago, and it has blessed me ever since. In fact, likely, you remember it since I read it to you on my 1st Easter Sunday message in Doaktown and Blissfield. I hope that it encourages you ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Source Of Significance Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Jan 7, 2004

1st in series based on John 1&2. The problem is that we human types keep trying to find the good life in all the wrong places, using all the wrong tools, with all the wrong resources, and getting miserable empty results.

Living the Good Life A Study of John 1 & 2 Having what it takes to make it in the world today… Jesus came for one purpose John 10:10b “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” To give us an abundant life. God never intended that we be miserable, hurt, damaged, or ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trip Around The World

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 19, 2008

Often as Christians we need to take a mental trip around the world to see the needs of the world today, as well as revisiting places like the Mount of Olives, Calvary, and the empty tomb to remind ourselves of the Great Comission we have been given.

Trip Around the World Matthew 28:19 Intro Tonight with the aid of the Holy Spirit, I would like to take a trip around the world, so that you might discover the desperate needs of the world in which we live. I would also like to take you back to some significant events in history that provide us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Denomination: Baptist

Finding God's Hand...in Our Everyday Lives Series

Contributed by Josh Reich on Apr 2, 2007

Is it possible to walk through your day and see God? So often we get to the end of our day and feel empty, like we didn’t see God and we wonder if he cares about the details of our life.

I am really glad you are here with us today. Today is part two of our series Finding God’s hand. We are walking through the book of Ruth. I am really excited where we are in the story today, as it takes some new twists and turns. Today we are going to meet a guy named Boaz, which right off the ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All The Right Moves - All The Wrong Motives Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 6, 2011

There are behaviors and qualities that many Christians believe are hallmarks of a truly spiritual Christian. But Paul tells us that those qualities mean nothing if we don’t love others. Why? Why are our best Christian behaviors empty without that single a

OPEN: Jesse James was one of the most famous men of the West. For a period of about 15 years, Jesse James and his gang committed 26 holdups where they made off with approximately $200,000 and killed at least 17 men (many by Jesse’s own hand). Jesse James was one of the West’s most notorious ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Still Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 7, 2016

People seem to be afraid of silence. They do anything to fill their lives with noise and avoid the emptiness. But God says "Be still and know that I am God." What can that mean to us and how can we go about doing it?

How many of you have ever heard the term: “Circuit Riders”? Circuit Riders were preachers back in the 1700s and 1800s who would ride from church to church and hold services. There were more churches than preachers in that day and a Circuit Rider would travel from congregation to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ