Sermons on Running On Empty:

Finding Joy Amidst Life's Surprises

Contributed by Richard Burkey on Jun 22, 2005

Christmas is meant to be joy time, and in the stories of Christmas from the Biblical to the secular there is a theme of joy amidst surprises that runs through them.

Finding Joy Amidst Life’s Surprises Luke 1:39-55 (New International Version) 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

A Test Of Will Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Sep 10, 2004

Jonah exibits free will when he runs from God. God will not make you do anything, but he will encourage you.

A Test of Will For the past couple of weeks we have been taking some of the Bible stories that we normally think of as children’s stories. We looking are at them from an adult point of view. Today we are picking up with Jonah. What do we know about Jonah from this scripture? From all we can ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Congregational

Waiting For The Promise

Contributed by Daniel Wheat on May 29, 2009

Have you ever felt fear, anger, anxious, frustrated and defeated in your faith? The disciples on the road to Emmaus felt this after seeing thier Savior crucified and buried. But as they were walking away from Jerusalem they had forgotten the promise of th

LUKE 24:13-35 “Waiting for the Promise” INTRO: Background. – As you we read the Scripture today we need to remember the context of this passage. First, at this point the Lord had been welcomed into the city by palm branches with the prople exclaiming, “hosanna in the highest”. He had been ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Hope For The Hopeless Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 15, 2025

Christ is risen! So don’t be confused any longer. Instead, be confident and share the good news!

Many years ago, a man climbed up on the side of the Brooklyn Bridge and was about to jump when a policeman grabbed him and drew him back. The man protested, “You don’t understand how miserable I am and how hopeless my life is. Please, let me go.” The officer tried to talk him out of it. He told ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-20, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Hebrews 2:3

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God Exhales

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Mar 25, 2022

God invites the believer to be filled with His Spirit and walk in the fullness of His Spirit

God exhales Greeting- Introduction- Good Morning Church! If you would flip to Ephesians 5:15-18, we are going to look at our text in Ephesians and then we are going to use some other verses in Ephesians to help us understand the text. First let’s pray over God’s Word. Prayer Ephesians 5:15-5:18 ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-18

Denomination: Nazarene

Life In The Vine

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jun 6, 2009

At time when technology is making it easier to stay connected with others - are we running the risk of failing to maintain our primary connection?

Dakota Community Church June 7, 2009 Life in the Vine John 15:1-8 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Mennonite

"Releasing Your Destiny”

Contributed by Sean Dees on May 2, 2021

I want to see you released into your destiny and running with the vision of this house. To make this church a silo that can hold the harvest.

I want to see you released into your destiny and running with the vision of this house. To make this church a silo that can hold the harvest. This harvest must be reaped and placed in the silo or it will rot in the field. We are the ones that make up this last day remnant, and God has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:3-10

You Will Finish Well

Contributed by Dr. Abraham Obadare on Dec 9, 2021

It is the desire of everyone to finish well in life, but one must consider how one runs the race of life before expecting good success.

Paul, the Apostle said, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 John 2:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Story Of Ruth - A Heroine In Search Of A Home Series

Contributed by Joey Nelson on Aug 6, 2001

The major motif to watch for as you work your way through this story is a movement from emptiness, famine, and death to fullness, plenty, and life.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: As you walk down the red carpet, a frenzied mob swarms around you, demanding your autograph. The reporters are snapping your picture, nearly blinding you. Every ten feet, a television crew stops you for an interview. Have you just become the hottest newest star? ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-22

Seeds And Silos Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on May 29, 2007

Just as the purpose of seeds is not to store them but to spread them and the purpose of silos is not to fill them but to empty them; so it is with the Good News of the Kingdom.

SILOS & SEEDS: KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING Mark 7:31-37 (5:18-20) Sermon #4 from “Life on the Farm” Sermon Objective: Just as the purpose of seeds is not to store them but to spread them and the purpose of silos is not to fill them but to empty them; so it is with the Good News of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Nazarene

Believe: Beyond Belief

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Nov 11, 2006

We say we believe, but are those just empty words? It seems the Jewish believers Jesus is addressing in this Scripture believe with their lips but not their heart.

A group hunters from the lower 48 hire a float plane and fly out into the Alaska bush to go caribou hunting, just as they did the year before. During their hunt, they are successful, and take 6 large caribou. As the pilot returns to pick them up, he tells the men that only 4 caribou can come on the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Humility Of Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

The ultimate example of humility: the 'self-emptying' of Christ. The obedience of the Cross; the sacrifice accepted. "Let this mind be in you!"

THE HUMILITY OF CHRIST. Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus placed a little child in the midst of His followers telling them that they had to be like a little child in order to enter the kingdom of heaven. By this one symbolic act He teaches us to accept the kingdom of God with the humility and trust of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Power In The Word Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Sep 1, 2013

God said His Word would not return to Him empty. What does that mean to us? And how can we know that that is true?

George Faull once wrote fact that “atheists, agnostics, or skeptics will often try to stump us with a question about our God. These skeptics think they are being clever and they take pride in their great intelligence. They will say (for example) “If God is all powerful, can He create ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Six Steps Out Of Lack (Each Of The Six Could Be Part Of A Series.)

Contributed by Carlton Coon on Aug 25, 2024

The marriage feast at Cana would have been identified by lack. Except a handful of servants obeyed Christ, which changed empty to abundance.

Eleven Precious Verses open the story. John 2:9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 And saith unto him, Every man at the ...read more

Scripture: John 2:9-11, John 2:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

What The Lord Knows.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 16, 2024

The optimist says, the cup is half full. The pessimist says, the cup is half empty. The child of God says; “My cup runneth over.”

What The Lord Knows. Palm 1:1-6NKJV What does the Lord know? Maybe a better question is, “What does the Lord not know.” He’s Creator of physics, nuclear science, he designed Jets and rockets plus anything else that comes into the future. God did it first; God is the Master Designer! Psalm ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal