Sermons on Running On Empty:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Principle Of Power - Spirit Filled Series

Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on Jul 13, 2001

Our Core Value that describes the effective power that is behind the church and the Christian.

FOR THESE THINGS I LIVE - CV-02 Our Principle of ‘Power’ Ephesians 5:15-21 We are busy studying our way through a series in the Word of God that I have entitled "For These Things I Live". It is a study through the Core Values of His People Community Church. So far we have looked at the first ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21, John 20:22

Denomination: *other

Matthew 17:19-20 – Why Don’t I Have Enough Faith? Series

Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Oct 7, 2014

Is faith just optimism draped in impotence? Jesus faith is positive and powerful? Is their faith a bonsai faith, kept small and so stunted that it is inept; dwarfed by the enormity of circumstances that are in need of a miracle? How could this be? Midget faith is not mustard seed faith!

Matthew 17:19-20 – WHY DON’T I HAVE ENOUGH FAITH? Why are some people healed and others not healed? Is it my faith that is deficient? Jesus is asked a similar question by His disciples when they had not been able to heal a little boy. In Matthew 17:19-20 (NLT) they ask “Why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:19-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Entangled Families

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 18, 2000

Does decency, or lack thereof, run in families? How strong a role does genetics play in who we are? Is it the only factor?

1. Review: After the death of Solomon, Israel split into two; the bigger part was the North and retained the name "Israel" (also called Ephraim or Samaria); the Southern part, which contained Jerusalem and followed the line of David, was called Judah). None of the Northern Kings were godly; some of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 24:17-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Detours

Contributed by John Beehler on Mar 20, 2003

When you run into the cross, don’t look for a detour because you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Detours The 2002 Rube Goldberg Machine Contest National Challenge was to select, raise, and wave a national flag…in twenty or more steps! The idea of this contest is that groups of students are given an elementary challenge: something as simple as peeling an apple, sharpening a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed