Sermons on B C P Advent 1:

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

Hatred And The Outworking Of Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 26, 2024

Recalling Jesus' commandment to love one another.

HATRED AND THE OUTWORKING OF LOVE. 1 John 3:13-24. “Marvel not” – stop wondering – that the world of the ungodly hates you (1 JOHN 3:13). Abel’s righteousness stood as a rebuke to Cain, and Cain killed him for it (cf. 1 John 3:12). The ones who ‘abide in death’ (1 JOHN 3:14) are identified as ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:13-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Trial Of Steadfast Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2024

Humble yourselves before God and resist the devil.

A TRIAL OF STEADFAST FAITH. 1 Peter 5:5-11. “Yea, ALL OF YOU be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility” (1 PETER 5:5b). This calls for mutual respect and humility, preferring the other to oneself. The reason follows: “for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Bless.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 11, 2024

"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

CALLED TO BLESS. 1 Peter 3:8-15a. Peter names five virtues whereby we might be a blessing to one another (1 PETER 3:8). (i). Like-mindedness; i.e. living in harmony with one another. Being willing to submit ourselves to one another in godly love (cf. Ephesians 5:21). (ii). Compassion; i.e. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Before God In The World.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 25, 2025

Honour and the Fear of God.

LIVING BEFORE GOD IN THE WORLD. 1 Peter 2:11-17. Peter addresses his readers as “Beloved,” and encourages us “as strangers and pilgrims” to “abstain from fleshly lusts (or desires) which war against the soul” (1 PETER 2:11). The Apostle implores us to keep our conduct “honest” amongst the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saul Proclaimed King.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 28, 2025

In wanting a king at all, Israel was rejecting the LORD’s kingship. But the LORD allowed it.

SAUL PROCLAIMED KING. 1 Samuel 10:17-24. Saul and his servant had set out from their home with no greater commission than to find his father’s lost donkeys (cf. 1 Samuel 9:3). As a last resort, the servant suggested that they seek out the prophet Samuel: ‘peradventure he can shew us our way that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving For The Grace Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 25, 2024

Thank God for the grace given by Jesus Christ.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GRACE OF GOD. 1 Corinthians 1:4-8. Paul offers thanksgiving to God for the church at Corinth (1 CORINTHIANS 1:4). This is good pastoral care: Paul wants the Corinthians to know that, even if he does have some stern words to speak to them, it is because his heart longs for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Elisha. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 5, 2024

No looking back!

THE CALL OF ELISHA. Abridged. 1 Kings 19:19-21. The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of (amongst others) a young apprentice for Elijah to mentor (cf. 1 Kings 19:16). This was delegation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wisdom And Worship.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 11, 2024

When we pray aright, God grants all that we ask, and more besides.

WISDOM AND WORSHIP. 1 Kings 3:5-15. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. “Ask what I shall give thee,” offered the LORD (1 KINGS 3:5). We should take up these offers of the LORD: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 3:5-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For Protection.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2025

"Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man" (Psalm 140:1a).

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION. Psalm 140:1-9. This is a Psalm of David, no doubt from the time when he was pursued by his enemies in the wilderness. The Psalm switches between singular foes: pointing perhaps particularly to king Saul and his three thousand men at arms; and Doeg and the Ziphites, who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 140:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imprecations In Context.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 19, 2025

To attack God's people is to attack the LORD Himself!

IMPRECATIONS IN CONTEXT. Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18. Today’s Psalm begins, “Keep not silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still O God” (PSALM 83:1). As if He ever would, when to attack God’s people is to attack the LORD Himself! ‘Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence,’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praising The Beauty Of Holiness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 31, 2025

Before we can talk about the “city of our God” we must recognise and acknowledge the God of the city. The Bible does not begin with Jerusalem, but with God. The New Testament does not begin with the church, but with Jesus.

PRAISING THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Psalm 48:1-7. This psalm begins with a simple statement of fact: “Great is the LORD” and, because of the greatness of the LORD, He is “greatly to be praised” (PSALM 48:1a). Where is the LORD to be praised? In the place that God has chosen (cf. 2 Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Vain Confidence Of The Disobedient.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2025

We might hide our sins from men, but God knows our hearts.

THE VAIN CONFIDENCE OF THE DISOBEDIENT. Jeremiah 7:9-15. As Paul unfolded his doctrine of justification by grace through faith in his Epistle to the Romans, he uttered the phrase ‘But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound’ (cf. Romans 5:20), and he realised that he had to square up to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A. B. C. Easter Evening. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 29, 2024

APRIL 20th, 2025.

Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 114, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Luke 24:13-49 A). THE EASTER APOCALYPSE. Isaiah 25:6-9. This small passage lies at the heart of the so-called ‘Isaiah Apocalypse’ of chapters 24-27 and brings hope into an otherwise dismal prospect. Chapter 25 itself begins with praise for God’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, Luke 24:13-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.

Webster defines a patriot as one “who loves and loyally or zealously supports one's own country”. By that definition, Asaph (author of Ps. 80), was both patriot and man of God, burdened for his country. Among all nations of the world, Israel was/is God's crown jewel. For hundreds of years she ...read more

Denomination: Other