Sermons on Running On Empty:

Gathering For Encouragement Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Aug 2, 2021

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to 'run with endurance'. Only long races need endurance - marathons, for example. In a marathon, encouragement makes all the difference. The Christian life can be tough. We need encouragement and we need to encourage others.

Today we’re starting a new series. We will have four talks on the theme of ‘Why we gather’. Last Sunday we met back at church after sixteen months of having our morning services online. That’s a significant moment. But something else has been happening. About four months ago we started a new ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Baptist

Forced Cross Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Oct 8, 2023

The call to serve God becomes a forced cross when the going gets tough. We love smooth running of life. But through challenges we meet God’s power and miracle working hand. Let’s keep fighting for God with his help.

Compelled to bear his cross: Matthew 27:32. “And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.” Cyrene was a city of Libya, in north Africa, lying west of Egypt. Cyrene had a large Jewish population, and Simon was very likely in Jerusalem for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32

Denomination: Methodist

Dealing With Tensions And Conflicts In Churches And Church Organisations – Practical Examination And Suggestions – Part 5 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 21, 2024

Some important things here. Firstly, the church business meetings! The trouble these have caused. We look at Pastors’ and elders’ wives and behaviour. What about the leaders’ kids running around unsupervised? All dealings must be impartial. Must teach on Christian responsibility.

DEALING WITH TENSIONS AND CONFLICTS IN CHURCHES AND CHURCH ORGANISATIONS – PRACTICAL EXAMINATION AND SUGGESTIONS – PART 5 This is the final part in the series. This next subject is near the end in the collection I had, but for some churches it can be a nightmare. I am going to share some ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Timothy 3:10-11, Titus 2:2-3, John 21:20, Matthew 5:46-47, Revelation 2:4-5, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 4:32  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From The Cave (1 Samuel 22:1-4)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Sep 1, 2024

David was in the deepest time of his life. He lost his support network and on the run from Saul. He possessed nothing of material worth or value and all seemed lost. He hid in a cave, but it is in the cave where God prepared him for greater things.

In his film, "Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon", Pastor Greg Laurie described the time where Mr. Cash had reached the lowest point of his life and career. He had become addicted to pills, which lead to an erratic and hostile behavior that cost him his first marriage, a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-2, 1 Samuel 22:1-4, Job 14:1, Ecclesiastes 2:17, Hebrews 13:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Stand Fast

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 23, 2024

In the military, you were given a command to stand fast and await further orders even when you saw others marching. Too many Christians, especially new ones, run off at the command of men or emotions missing the Lord's command.

Is it not odd that people who believe in the omnipresence of God seek some place where they feel closer to Him. He not the God of the oceans, the mountains or the fields. He is the God of the universe so wherever you are He is there. If you are not hearing from Him it is not a location ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:20

Denomination: Baptist

Faith-Based Initiative

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Mar 19, 2023

Is God pleased with our work if we run out of money in the middle of it? Is God pleased with our ministry if it doesn't seem to be successful? How can we know if we are investing our time and talents in ways that God will approve of?

I don’t know if the tough decisions our leadership has been wrestling with have trickled all the way down through the congregation yet - though it would surprise me if you haven’t noticed that attendance at worship is down. Well, one of the challenges that goes along with a drop in attendance is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Samuel 23:7-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living The Spirit-Filled Life Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 15, 2017

To become filled with the Spirit? Express your desire to be filled, Confess sinful desire to run your own life, Thank Jesus for forgiveness of your sins: past, present, & future! Present every part of your life to God's control, Claim fullness of spirit.

Living the Spirit-filled Life Galatians 5:18 March 12, 2017 Spirit-filled = under the control and leadership of the Spirit. The Bible paints a picture of 3 different kinds of people: The Unbeliever: The person outside of Christ 1 Corinthians 2:14 (can you draw a circle in here?) The ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

On Bended Knees- Prayer Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Nov 21, 2019

Illustration: There was a woman who lived in a remote valley. With great trouble and a lot of expense she had electricity installed in her home. After some months, the lineman noticed that her electric meter was hardly running. So he called the woman and asked her,

Follow us on: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/sermons/?sermon_topics=financial-management Podcast : https://city-harvest-sermons.simplecast.com/episodes/hope Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:6-7, Matthew 6:6-8, Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God Cares For The Body And Soul

Contributed by Kyle Campbell on Mar 18, 2022

The loving care of God is a theme that runs all throughout the Old and New Testaments (cp. 1 Peter 5:7). But God’s care is not one dimensional. He cares both for us physically and spiritually; that is, He cares both for the body and the soul.

Introduction. The loving care of God is a theme that runs all throughout the Old and New Testaments (cp. 1 Peter 5:7). But God’s care is not one dimensional. He cares both for us physically and spiritually; that is, He cares both for the body and the soul. God Cares for the Body When God decided ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:4-5, 1 Peter 5:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Seven Habits For Spiritual Health

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 7, 2022

How do believers maintain spiritual vitality and finish well? This message examines seven lifestyle habits that sustain the believer in the long run. Professor Robert Clinton found that only one-third of leaders finish well. These disciplines help us finish well.

Intro Welcome to this Legacy Ministry College chapel service. We take as our subject today: Seven Habits for Spiritual Health. What are the essentials for a successful life journey in Christ? It is one thing to begin a journey; it is another to finish that journey. To finish and finish well, you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Matthew 22:37-40, John 15:5, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Timothy 4:1-10, Joshua 1:1-8, Matthew 16:24-25, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 4:1-4, Matthew 6:33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Do You Make God Wait For You To Pray? Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 5, 2014

When we should be praying and asking God to speak, to act, to move, to bless, it seems that often we can be too busy to pray.

As always the question: Do you make God wait for you to pray? In your life - are there things that crop up each day - things that grab your attention and draw you away from taking the time to pray? When we should be praying and asking God to speak, to act, to move, to bless, it seems that often ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Easiest Yoke We Can Carry

Contributed by Craig Condon on Nov 9, 2015

As we come together to worship every week, we admit our hunger for God. God sees our emptiness and feeds us the choicest food, the flesh and blood of the one who invites us today to take his yoke upon us and learn from him for he is meek and humble.

Have you ever noticed that there are always some people who can never be satisfied or happy with anything? Jesus did, and in our Gospel reading from Matthew this morning he compared the people of his day to children who can’t be satisfied by any game or activity, whether it is festive or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Anglican

No Greater Love! Series

Contributed by Brian Williams on Jul 13, 2023

Jesus’ love wasn’t empty words. His love was manifested as he stood silent before His mockers and accusers, by every cruel lash He took for us, by every step He took on the road to Calvary, by each nail driven into his body. This should have been us.

Every sermon we preach, no matter what time of year it is, points to the Person of Jesus Christ because He is the Cornerstone of our faith. Christ’s incarnation - was when God, the Creator of the earth and of every living creature and of the entire universe was born on the earth as a man. Christ’s ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 John 4:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Because He Lives

Contributed by Larry Grant on Apr 8, 2023

God sent His Son. They called Him Jesus. He came to love, heal and forgive. He bled and died to buy my pardon. An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives! And because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, All fear is gone.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (CSB) Theme: “I’ve Got The Victory” April 9, 2023 In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul teaches us about the purpose of the Resurrection! He paints a sobering portrait of how things would be if Jesus were still in the grave! He says, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Denomination: Baptist

No Satisfaction

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 10, 2025

Solomon’s relentless search for meaning—in wisdom, work, and wealth—ended in emptiness, proving that life “under the sun” cannot satisfy the human heart. Lasting joy and fulfillment come only from God through Jesus Christ, who alone turns life’s vanity into eternal victory.

Introduction When “More” Is Never Enough It was the six-year-old boy’s first day of school. His one life ambition? Have as much fun as humanly possible. He marched through the gate with the bold confidence that only a child possesses, ready to squeeze joy out of every moment. But at noon there ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist