Sermons on B C P Advent 1:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Second Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Voices

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 11, 2023

Squander yourself for hope in Christ.

A three-year-old was helping his mother unpack their nativity set. He announced each piece as he unwrapped it from the tissue paper. “Here’s the donkey!” he said. “Here’s a king,” and “Here’s a camel!” When he finally got to a one-piece tiny infant molded to his crib, he proclaimed, “Here’s baby ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

Oh That You Would Rend The Heavens

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 27, 2013

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's church.

OH THAT YOU WOULD REND THE HEAVENS! Isaiah 64:1-9. When we pray for the whole state of Christ’s church, as we must do given the Lord’s own example (John 17:9), we should encourage ourselves by recalling past mercies. In the context of this passage, Isaiah has been gradually building up through ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

First Sunday Of Advent, Year B: Advent Hope

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 5, 2023

Optimism is an assessment. Hope is an act.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?" 1 Advent is not a penitential season; it’s a period of devout and expectant delight, yet we intuitively understand that it is not possible ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

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

The Passion According To John.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2022

Good Friday.

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO JOHN. John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42. 1). THE ARREST OF JESUS. John 18:1-14. JOHN 18:1-3. After the Passover meal, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the Upper Room discourse, and Jesus’ great high priestly prayer, Jesus led His disciples over the brook Kidron to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-40, John 19:1-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Wholehearted Repentance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 29, 2022

This call comes from the LORD Himself.

A CALL TO WHOLEHEARTED REPENTANCE. Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17. An old elder once said to me that his only regret was 'the years that the locust has eaten' (Joel 2:25). However, there is no point in bemoaning what may have been, but rather our eyes should be on the here and now, and in ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:12-17

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