Sermons on B Epiphany 9:

Hope Amid Chastening

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 25, 2020

The outworking of the mercies and compassion of the LORD, in the context of chastening.

HOPE AMID CHASTENING Lamentations 3:22-33 “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22a). The Hebrew word translated “mercies” is “hesed”, and speaks of God’s steadfast love, His covenant mercy. The fact that “we are not consumed” is based in the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

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

Sharp Words Spoken By Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2018

All things are possible with God, but those who set their hearts on riches will be sadly disappointed.

SHARP WORDS SPOKEN BY LOVE. Mark 10:17-31. The first three Gospels all report Jesus’ encounter with the character who has become known by the composite name of ‘the rich young ruler’. They all mention that he was ‘rich’ (as in Mark 10:22), but only Matthew mentions that he was ‘young’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Shalom is God’s peace made alive in the life of the believer. It guides, comforts, quiets, restores and sustains, regardless of life circumstances. Shalom is found nowhere apart from God.

It is possible not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for ...read more

Denomination: Other

Feeding Five Thousand And Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 22, 2018

Hunger in the wilderness and wind at sea BOTH can kill: but the Rescuer comes.

A. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000. John 6:1-15. It was now nearly a year since Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Passover was fast approaching (John 6:4). Jesus and His disciples had tried to withdraw from the throng in Galilee, and sought some rest and relaxation in the Golan Heights: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

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

A Failure To Understand.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2021

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10 verse 39.

A FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND John 6:56-69 Like Nicodemus who struggled with the concept of being born again (John 3:4; John 3:9), the Jews in the Capernaum synagogue (John 6:59) struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about (John 6:41; John 6:52). Jesus’ response (John 6:53-57) is only a ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Voice In The Wilderness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 24, 2022

Never mind the preacher. Look to the One preached.

THE VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS. John 1:19-28. The witness of John is put on record (John 1:19) because the Council in Jerusalem sent a delegation to him, asking who he thought he was, preaching without licence (from them) out there in the wilderness. They surely knew he was a priest’s son, but ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Broken Bread.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2021

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6 verse 53.

THE BROKEN BREAD. John 6:51-58. Everlasting life is not a thing that is earned: it is a free gift of God. All that is required is that we put our trust wholly and entirely in Jesus (John 6:28-29). Jesus says quite categorically that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life (John 6:47), and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anxiety.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 15, 2023

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

ANXIETY. Matthew 6:25-34. MATTHEW 6:25. “Take no thought” is an unfortunate translation. When Jesus says (literally) “be not careful,” He obviously is not sanctioning thoughtlessness, nor even carelessness. He rather means, “Do not be anxious.” Jesus introduces a trinity of cares: what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Immanuel: With Us The God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 16, 2023

A sign refused - a sign offered nonetheless.

IMMANUEL: WITH US THE GOD. Isaiah 7:10-14. The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in Jerusalem. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

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

I Am The Good Shepherd.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2022

It is perfectly clear that Jesus lay down His life voluntarily.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. John 10:11-21. In John 10 Jesus effectively castigated the Pharisees for their failures as the spiritual shepherds of Israel. The image was familiar in a pastoral society, and echoed the Old Testament (e.g. Jeremiah 23:1-4). JOHN 10:11. In the fourth “I am” saying of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Arrest Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2022

The willingness of Jesus to die for us.

THE ARREST OF JESUS. John 18:1-14. 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 garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1). Judas, possessed by Satan (cf. John 13:2; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time Of The End.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 20, 2021

Deliverance in a time of trouble. Resurrection and everlasting life. Wisdom and Witness.

THE TIME OF THE END. Daniel 12:1-3. DANIEL 12:1. “And at that time.” This reaches beyond the prophesied histories of the previous chapter to ‘the time of the end’ (cf. Daniel 11:35). “Michael” = 'Who is like God?' Various commentators throughout Christian history have ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational