Sermons on Self Emptying:

Pilgrims Path 1 Humility Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jan 3, 2009

Humility is not debasing ones self; it is the elevation of Christ as King in our lives.

“The Pilgrim’s Path” Part-1, Mathew 5:1-12 Humility Introduction As a teenager I spent two years living in Butte, Montana. Butte is nestled high in the Rocky Mountains in a small valley which rests directly in the shadow of the great continental divide; a massive mountain range which stretches ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Christian Church

Let Any One Who Thinks That He Stands Take Heed Lest He Fall Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 15, 2013

Training and exercise in the spiritual life, and self-mastery, are a requirement for sanctity and effectiveness.

“let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” In nomine Patris. . . Over the last several months, my wife and I have learned a great deal about standing and falling. One seldom thinks about knees until one stops working perfectly. A knee really gets attention when ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

Denomination: Catholic

How The Holy Spirit Guides Us Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 13, 2013

How to distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit and the voices of self and Satan

One day, about 25 years ago, I was sitting in a church service listening to the sermon, when I sensed that God was saying to me that He wanted me to be a pastor one day. At the time, I had a very good job with a land development company in which I made a lot of money. I had a family with young ...read more

Scripture: John 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Selfish To Selfless Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 20, 2017

We are called to live a new way and to not just think of one's self.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Edward Blaine who had spent 20 years in prison for bank robbery back in 1963 thought he would try again in 2003 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. • According to The Free-Lance Star of Fredericksburg, Blaine walked up to two tellers at Union Bank & Trust and ordered them ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"living In Reality"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Mar 16, 2022

A sermon about what it means to deny self and live for God and others.

“Living in Reality” Mark 8:34-38 I want us to think about the following questions this morning: 1. What gives you the greatest joy in life? 2. What creates for you the deepest sense of purpose? 3. When do you feel most alive, most true to the person God created you to be? My guess is that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Sermon On Diffidence

Contributed by William Meakin on Jul 9, 2022

Diffidence is defined as modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.

John Balguy, an English divine and philosopher once remarked: “Whoever is wise is apt to suspect and be diffident of himself, and upon that account is willing to "hearken unto counsel,” whereas the foolish man, being in proportion to his folly full of himself, and swallowed up in conceit, will ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:16, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Colossians 4:5, Philippians 4:13

I Believe, Or Do I?

Contributed by Richard Bowman on May 27, 2025

The nature of genuine faith must always include faith in Jesus, not in self.

I BELIEVE! OR DO I? Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor Emeritus Text, Mark 9:14-29: And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Living Beyond Yourself

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on Sep 17, 2004

The widow of 2 Kings 4 found herself with empty vessels but great opportunity, she just did not know it in the beginning.

2 Kings 4:1-7 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 2 And Elisha said unto her, What ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Great Expectations Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 9, 2007

The disciples were confronted with what to do with an empty. Seeing the power of the resurrection in their lives gives us cause for great expectations.

John 20:1-8 “Great Expectations” INTRODUCTION What do you do with an empty tomb? John is very brief in his description of the events of Easter morning. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found it empty. She ran to Peter and the beloved disciple to tell them that someone had stolen Jesus’ ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-8

Denomination: Lutheran

Easter Sermon With Surprise Ending

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Nov 19, 2009

This sermon has a little fun with the "short" ending of Mark. We stand at the empty tomb... and it is up to us to finish the story.

The Lady or the Lion By Frank Stockton (edited and revised) In the very olden time there lived a semi-barbaric king, whose ideas were indeed semi-barbaric. The king had a daughter, beautiful and fair… the envy of every woman in the nation. She could have any man in the kingdom… but her heart ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Faith And Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The practical faith of Rahab stands in contrast to the platitudes of the person who sent the hungry empty away, and failed to clothe the naked.

FAITH AND WORKS. James 2:14-26. A person is making what seems to be a credible claim to “faith” - but (as yet) there is no evidence in their lives of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. They seem to have all the right words, but (so far) “works” are lacking. James 2:14. What is the profit in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tekel: You Have Been Weighed

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Oct 27, 2017

There is a hole in your heart? Have you ever dreaded facing the scales? how shall we fill this loneliness and emptiness?

TEKEL? CAN WE READ THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL? WHEN I AM IN THE HOLE OF DARKNESS? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I take a scale and lay it before the altar? THE WEIGH IN ALWAYS OCCURS BEFORE THE FIGHT. WHAT SHALL WE DO WITH THIS HOLE IN MY HEART? Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 5:5-23, Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Power Of The Gospel

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jun 4, 2025

The Gospel is not an empty message or a religious slogan—it is the power of God that saves, transforms, heals, unites, and gives eternal hope.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 1:16 Supporting Texts: 1 Corinthians 1:18, Acts 4:12, 2 Timothy 1:10, Colossians 1:13-14 INTRODUCTION: The Gospel is not just a religious message or moral teaching—it is the very power of God unto salvation. It carries divine ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Acts 4:12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go! And Proclaim: He Is Risen Indeed! (Easter Sunday) Luke 24:34 & Acts 4:33 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 12, 2025

The empty tomb is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our hope, the assurance of our salvation, and the power behind our proclamation.

Go! And Proclaim: He Is Risen Indeed! (Easter Sunday) Luke 24:34 & Acts 4:33 Introduction: Today we gather to celebrate the cornerstone of our faith—the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The empty tomb is not just a historical fact; it is the foundation of our hope, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:34, Acts 4:33, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, Romans 8:11, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:9, John 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Double Or Nothing

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jul 4, 2023

Ignorance of God’s character and law often renders our loving feelings toward our neighbors empty or misguided.

There used to be a terrific program on PBS called the Religion and Ethics Weekly. They covered everything from Pentecostals to the Pope. I’ve seen programs on Jews and Buddhists and Hindus and Islam. One time they reported on a rise in Hindu fundamentalism. I wasn’t paying as much attention as I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed