Sermons on Emptying:

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

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

Transformed By Jesus: The Zacchaeus Story SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 8, 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

Faith Outworked PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 21, 2025

True worship requires sincere hearts and just actions, not empty rituals; God desires authentic faith that transforms both our inner lives and outward behavior.

Friends, pull up a chair in your heart and take a deep breath. You made it here—through noise and news, errands and emails. You brought your whole week with you, and that’s good, because the God who loves you meets you as you are. He is wonderfully near, whispering through His Word, “I see you. I ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:1-15

Topics: Church Attendance, Heaven

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

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

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

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

The Jesus Paradox Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 30, 2015

Jesus shows us the way to please God ... for Jesus the way up was down!

Title: The Jesus Paradox Text: Philippians 2:5-11 (Mark 11:1-11) Thesis: Jesus shows us the way to pleasing God. For Jesus the way up was down! Introduction A paradox is something that is contrary to expectations, existing beliefs or perceived opinions. It is a statement that appears to be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Perfect Three Point Sermon (Easter Season Message)

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Apr 16, 2014

I would like to share something really inspiring on this glorious Easter day. I am going to preach an old-fashioned 3-point sermon which is a very trinitarian model of preaching. So after great contemplation here are the 3 points. He is risen! He is risen! He is risen! (Updated April 2022)

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's Easter Readings are: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2,14-24; Colossians 3:1-4 and Matthew 28:1-10 or Mark 16:1-8 or Luke 24:1-12. Let us pray O' Heavenly Father it is through your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 8:17, Deuteronomy 19:15, 2 Corinthians 13:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

The Passover Party Parade Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Jan 28, 2018

Jesus chose a donkey at Jerusalem to show the city he was coming not as a conquering king, but as a prince of peace.

INTRODUCTION Most of us have been singing the beloved hymns of the faith for many years. It’s also true that we’re all getting a little older. Somebody emailed a list of revised hymn titles for those of us who are chronologically challenged: 1. “Precious Lord, Take my Hand … and Help Me ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Develop A Healthy Attitude Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jun 30, 2015

Our attitudes flow from our minds - so our mindset is critically important.

“”Living a Joy-full Life: Develop A Healthy Attitude” Phil. 2:5-11 Dr. Norman Vincent Peale once walked by a tattoo parlor in Hong Kong. In the shop window there was a display of decorations that could be imprinted on one’s skin – flags, patriotic slogans, anchors, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Jerked Back Into Reality

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 23, 2022

The disciples were whipsawed into reality, that Christ was risen from death.

Easter Tuesday One of the realities of life is that our little minds are quite capable of self-delusion, and on a grand scale. Most of the time we fool ourselves into thinking we understand what is going on around us–way more than we actually do understand. We kid ourselves that we are in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:36-39

Denomination: Catholic