Sermons on Self Emptying:

The Gospel In A Postmodern World

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Aug 18, 2008

How does Jesus expect us to live in today’s world? DESIRE Him, DENY yourself, DIE to self and DECIDE to follow. Are you doing it?

Matthew 16:21-28 The Gospel in a Postmodern World From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Baptist

We Can Deceive Ourselves Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Jun 29, 2021

Deception can come from within. Have you ever told yourself a lie, and talked yourself into believing it? That is self-deception. Have you ever seen your friends doing something, and you know it is wrong, but you still talked yourself into doing that exact same thing? That is self-deception.

Introduction My Bible tells me as we approach the end times, there will be one major event that will occur that the church is silent about for the most part, and therefore, the church is not teaching its members to be aware. But this event must occur, and we must be prepared for it because God ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Denomination: Baptist

Pornography Outline Series

Contributed by Louis Mare on Jan 2, 2023

Pornography can be a destructive force in people's lives and can cause a wide range of negative consequences, including relationship problems, decreased productivity, and negative self-image.

Pornography can be a destructive force in the lives of people and can cause a wide range of negative consequences, including relationship problems, decreased productivity, and negative self-image. Here is a possible outline for a sermon addressing this issue, using Bible verses to support the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:28, Psalm 139:14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Sting Or A Saint?

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 24, 2010

An empty niche above the church door, made for a statue of a saint, but now containing a hornet’s nest, suggests the choice of letting our lives be empowered by God or letting the sting of death and disappointment take over.

The other day I was hauling in a load of stuff from my car. I came in the Aspen Street entrance to the building, the entrance nearest my office. For some reason, as I was carrying things through the door, I looked up above my head, probably to implore the Lord to give me an extra ounce of muscle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-58

Denomination: Baptist

"Fruitful Branches”

Contributed by Clarence Eisberg on Apr 23, 2024

Opening story: 230 old vine at Hampton Court. And an illustration of running on empty when we are not connected to the vine of Jesus. How to imitate Jesus and let Him produce fruit on our branch. Illustration from Dallas Willard

In Jesus Holy Name April 2, 2024 Text: John 15:1-8 Easter V “Fruitful Branches” In Hampton Court, near London, there is a grapevine that is reported to be the oldest living vine in the world. It is over 230 years old. It was planted in 1768. This grapevine has one root which is 12 feet ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8, Ephesians 5:1, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Whitewashed Tomb Christians Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 9, 2025

This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, exposing the hypocrisy that plagues many who claim to follow God.

In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus unleashes a scathing critique on the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness." This metaphor reveals the contrast between outward appearances and inner reality, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Reversing The Curse Series

Contributed by Guy Caley on Nov 10, 2004

4th in the series "Miracles in Matthew." Jesus heals our whole self--heart, mind, body--to reverse the effects of sin’s curse. Concludes with communion meditation.

Introduction: In 1990 a 32 year old psychiatric patient rushed through the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam until he reached Rembrandt’s famous painting "Nightwatch." Then he took out a Squirt Gun filled with acid and sprayed it all over the masterpiece before he could be stopped. But what did ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Alive, Obediant And Loving! Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Nov 2, 2011

John described the saved and who they are, how they love God and their fellow humans - there is no empty words, they act to bring others to a relationship with the one who matters most, the one they really do love!

Sermon 1 John 5:1-12 You most likely know I’ve just returned from holiday and have that post holiday fuzziness thing going on, I spent a great time with Terry the first week doing the whole father son catch up road trip up around Nelson and over Takaka way, we managed to walk to Harwood’s Hole ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-12

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Rest Of The Story

Contributed by Perry Greene on Apr 2, 2015

This Easter sermon focuses on the resurrection of Jesus and the potential resurrection of his followers which complete the story of Jesus. We often focus on his death, but the empty tomb is good news that requires a response.

1. The Rest of the Story was a Monday-through-Friday radio program originally hosted by Paul Harvey. Beginning as a part of his newscasts during the Second World War and then premiering as its own series on the ABC Radio Networks on May 10, 1976, The Rest of the Story consisted of stories presented ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

This Advent Come Into Our Lives

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 3, 2014

WE invite God to render the Heaven come down and shake the mountains that we might hear, that we might pray, that we might become vulnerable, because we are so desolate or empty.

Isaiah Chapter 64 “This Advent come into our Lives” 1. The gist of this reading is an appeal to God for help and mercy for a worshiping community that finds itself in dire circumstances. • The Text Begins with the mighty works of God 63:7-14 Great acts in Egypt of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

The Dead Hear His Voice And Live

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on May 9, 2021

The day will come when all the graveyards and all the cemeteries in the world will be emptied out. They will give up their dead, who will live again. And those who have believed in Christ will live forever with him.

The apostle John records seven miracles (or signs) from Jesus’s public ministry. Today we come to the seventh sign, and it is without question the greatest sign. For in John 11, the Lord Jesus powerfully restores the life of Lazarus. And it’s actually a miracle that we can relate to, in the sense ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Martha Syndrome Series

Contributed by John Huyser on Nov 29, 2022

Entering into the first Sunday of Advent, hope outshines disappointment. At some point of all of have come down with Martha Syndrome. When our caring and compassion tanks are nearing empty - Watch Out!

It was Junior High in the mid 1980’s when the Wilder family opened up Tokens Video Arcade in my home town of Lansing, IL. Today, you can go to Google Play or the Apple Store to download a pinball game, but it is nothing like the original. The pull of the spring tensioned launch button, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:28-31

Every Spiritual Blessing In Jesus Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Feb 10, 2022

Many Christians today have their eyes set on rolling hills of worldly blessings, never realizing we have within our grasp the richest reserve of blessing in Jesus that will never go empty.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD, USA www.mycrossway.org View this and other messages at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/channels/8118 I want to ask for some license for just a moment to revisit a story I put into the newsletter last Sunday. It is about the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, John 15:16, Matthew 25:34, Colossians 2:14, Galatians 3:26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Brethren

What Is Greatness?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Oct 10, 2024

Jesus our God came to serve. And even to die, to give his life as a ransom for many! To die for us, to empty himself of divine power and authority and serve those in need. That is true greatness.

I recall a meme I saw online, it had a picture of a janitorial supply cart and it said, "Called to ministry? This will be your first pulpit." Truer words were never spoken. My first five years in ministry I mopped a lot of floors, and believe me, I expect more floors in the future. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-21

Denomination: Salvation Army

Remember The Lord!

Contributed by Larry Grant on Aug 16, 2025

We have already allowed the enemy to: Silence our praise, Empty our altars & Extinguish our testimony! But its not too late! Our Faith is worth fighting for!

Nehemiah 4:10-15 “Remember the Lord!” 8/17/2025 Intro: Nehemiah was neither a prophet nor a scribe. He was the cupbearer for the Persian King Artaxerxes. After Ezra the scribe led a group of Israelites back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The Persian King allowed Nehemiah to lead another group ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:10-15

Denomination: Baptist