Sermons on A Epiphany 9:

Were The Wise Men Really So Wise?

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 8, 2013

Were the wise men as smart as we think?

Were the Wise Men Really So Wise? Matthew 2:1-18 Sometimes we think we know more about something than we really know. A perfect case is this morning’s text about the three wise Men. We even think we know their names as being Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. We believe that they came from the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-18, Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Feast At The House Of Levi

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Jesus came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to repentance.

THE FEAST AT LEVI’S HOUSE. Mark 2:13-22. 1. The call of Levi (Mark 2:13-14) Wherever we live, under whatever regime, tax collectors are unpopular. It was no different in first century Israel, where Levi’s trade involved collaboration with the Romans, and the constant suspicion of theft. Levi ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Being Better Than Looking Good Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 12, 2011

We make Christ known when we practice exceeding righteousness... when our attitudes, thoughts, words and actions all reflect the spirit of Christ.

Title: Being Better than Looking Good Text: Matthew 5:21-26 Thesis: We make Christ known when we practice an exceeding righteousness… when our attitudes, thoughts, words and actions all reflect the spirit of Christ. Epiphany Series: Encountering Christ in Epiphany • On the Sixth Sunday after ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas?

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Dec 9, 2010

How would you react to a sermon composed entirely of questions?

How would you react to a sermon composed entirely of questions? Are you intrigued when the questions refuse to give you answers, leaving you puzzling over the text for yourself? Are you cross- isn’t it the preacher’s job to explain things? - Isn’t the preacher not doing his or her job properly? ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Where Are The Blessings On Those Who Are Poor Or Weak?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 18, 2014

The ‘blessed ones’ are the so called experts to whom many people go to for advice; seeking fame, riches and beauty as outward signs of God blessing them; but secretly they want others to kowtow to their success. Jesus could sort them out.

Summary: The ‘blessed ones’ are the so called experts to whom many people go to for advice; seeking fame, riches and beauty as outward signs of God blessing them; but secretly they want others to kowtow to their success. Jesus could sort them out. Micah 6:1-8 1 Corinthians ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Episcopal

A Right Use Of Freedom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 26, 2017

Drawing enduring principles from an ancient debate.

A RIGHT USE OF FREEDOM. 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Faced with a difference of opinion concerning food which may (or may not) have been offered to idols, the Apostle Paul appears here to be addressing some of the slogans being used in the theological and ethical debate in Corinth. The first slogan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Resist Not Evil. The Call To Perfect Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2023

Jesus redirects some misconstrued Scriptures.

I. RESIST NOT EVIL. Matthew 5:38-42. MATTHEW 5:38. Oh - it is hard - but “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” belongs to the law courts (cf. Leviticus 24:20), not to personal vendettas. MATTHEW 5:39a. Jesus rather enjoins, “Resist not evil.” MATTHEW 5:39b. Traditionally, the slap across the cheek ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Grace Is That To You?

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Feb 16, 2022

Jesus preaches an extreme type of pacifism in order to let our lights shine.

2.13.22 Luke 6:27–36 27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, offer the other too. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27-36

Denomination: Lutheran

You Are My Son, The Beloved

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jan 2, 2021

Because the Father loves the Son and calls Him "beloved," we who are in Christ are beloved also. For The Baptism of the Lord Sunday, the First Sunday after the Epiphany.

You Are My Son, the Beloved Mark 1:4-11 We have come to the Sunday on the Church calendar where we remember that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan. This account is contained in all four Gospels, even though John does not explicitly mention it, just that He came to John where the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11, Mark 1:1-11, Malachi 4:4-5

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Safe Place

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 29, 2018

A present trust in our ever-present LORD. He has been with us in all our yesterdays, and will be with us in all our tomorrows.

A SAFE PLACE. Psalms 71:1-6. This short excerpt from Psalms 71 is a strong declaration of confidence in the LORD, based on long experience. Psalms 71:1a. A declaration of present, personal trust in the Personal God. “In You, O LORD, I put my trust.” We cannot trust in the impersonal. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jerusalem Alone Series

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Jan 8, 2019

The story of a 12 year-old boy left behind in Jerusalem by his parents? Sound familiar? Almost sounds like a Christmas classic movie! Not exactly. This is the story of the Son of God, knowing who he was and why he was here.

As I read through the account from Luke 2 which you heard this morning of how Jesus was left behind by his parents in Jerusalem, I couldn’t help but think of what has become classic Christmas movie, “Home Alone.” If you’re not familiar with the movie, it’s about a boy around the age of 10-12 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52

Denomination: Lutheran

The Reign Of Messiah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2024

The nature and extent of His dominion.

THE REIGN OF MESSIAH. Psalm 72:1-8. The name of Solomon is associated with this Psalm, and it is quite possible that this sacred song was premiered on the occasion of his coronation. However, Christians recognise Jesus as the fullest fulfilment of the ideal king in this chapter. Psalm 72:1. As ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 72:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hope Of Glory

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 25, 2019

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.

THE HOPE OF GLORY. 2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. Opening this passage at 2 Corinthians 3:12, we are compelled to ask: What is the “hope” that Paul speaks of here? The context seems to suggest that it is the ‘hope of glory’ (cf. Colossians 1:27). In 2 Corinthians 3:7-11, the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Baptism Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 9, 2021

The baptism by John, the baptism of Jesus, Spirit baptism, and water baptism.

BAPTISM OF THE LORD. Luke 3:15-17; Luke 3:21-22. The ministry of John the Baptist was causing quite a stir. It was four hundred years since there had been a prophet in Israel, and expectations were high. The question on many people’s hearts was, Could this be the long-awaited Messiah (Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, Luke 3:21-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To See Or Not To See.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 13, 2025

'Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world' (1 John:4:4).

TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE. 2 Kings 6:14-23. The king of Syria suspected that he might have a spy in his camp, because the king of Israel somehow kept evading his ambushes. But no, informed one his servants, it was not one of us, but Elisha the prophet who kept telling the king of Israel ‘the words ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 6:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational