Sermons on B Epiphany 9:

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

Strength Tested

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Feb 22, 2021

First Sunday in Lent, Series B

February 21, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Mark 1:9-15 Strength Tested Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. The gospel of Mark is the shortest of all four gospels. Mark writes his stories very tersely. Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Lutheran

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

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 Ark Brought Up To Jerusalem.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 13, 2024

All our actions should be regulated by the word of God.

THE ARK BROUGHT UP TO JERUSALEM. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19. No sooner had David been anointed king over all Israel, than the Philistines came up against him. David’s instinct back then was to ‘enquire of the LORD’ as to what he should do (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-19). And David ‘did as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unlocking Mystical Communion With God - Psalm 63:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 15, 2025

How to enjoy God in both the destiny and the journey

Christianity is all about mystical fellowship with the Trinity, which is always available as we realize and enjoy God’s actions upon us. Draw near to God by joining Him at His side. 1) Delight in Your destiny with God so much that being en-route brings you joy (the trials are achieving the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:9-11

God Is My Helper.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 4, 2021

Prayer starts with God, not us.

GOD IS MY HELPER. Psalm 54:1-7. The superscription to this Psalm associates it with a particular act of betrayal. David was on the run from King Saul (1 Samuel 23:15); and his neighbours, members of his own tribe, reported his whereabouts to his pursuers (1 Samuel 23:19). However, in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 54:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Towards A New Creation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2018

Longing for home.

TOWARDS A NEW CREATION. 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. Having spoken of the impermanence of the ‘tent’ of this body, and the ‘eternity’ of our dwelling in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1), the Apostle Paul began to mix his metaphors, yearning to be ‘clothed upon’ with ‘our habitation which is from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of Jonathan And The Resentment Of Saul.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2024

Jonathan confirmed the kingship of David by clothing him in the regalia of the Crown Prince; whereas Saul confirmed the kingship of David by putting him in the forefront of the battle.

THE LOVE OF JONATHAN AND THE RESENTMENT OF SAUL. 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16. It was evidently quite difficult for Saul to recognise in the giant slayer the same young man who had been serving at court as his own personal music therapist (1 SAMUEL 17:57-58; cf. 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Law Of Love And The Body Of Christ.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 15, 2023

Christian life and love.

THE LAW OF LOVE AND THE BODY OF CHRIST. Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2. All of our relationships within the body of Christ must be governed by the Christian law of love (cf. Ephesians 4:2). We are to “walk in love” (EPHESIANS 5:2). One of the practical reasons given for “putting away the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When Faith Comes From Within

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 15, 2018

The obverse side of the previous conversation: what comes out of the mouth when the heart is full of faith.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAITH COMES FROM WITHIN. Mark 7:24-37. In the earlier part of this chapter Jesus had disputed with some Scribes and Pharisees about ritual and tradition; and had taught those who would hear that defilement does not come from without, but from within (Mark 7:1-23). It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That All People May Know Thy Name.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2021

The transcendence and immanence of God.

THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY KNOW THY NAME. 1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 1 Kings 8:22-30; 1 Kings 8:41-43. The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple in Jerusalem was a monumental moment in the history of God’s people (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6). Yet all the skill and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Kings 8:6, 1 Kings 8:10-11, 1 Kings 8:22-30, 1 Kings 8:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reconciliation, And Grace To Follow.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 3, 2022

Our reconciliation with God is made possible by the grace of God through the work of Christ. Having been reconciled, we are made the righteousness of God in Him. We are enabled, by the same grace of God, to follow God in the way of righteousness.

RECONCILIATION, AND GRACE TO FOLLOW. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. As an ambassador for Christ, Paul was pleading with the Corinthians - on behalf of Christ - that they go on being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may feel that this is unnecessary: if we are ‘called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Alienation To Reconciliation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 15, 2023

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).

FROM ALIENATION TO RECONCILIATION. Ephesians 2:11-22. EPHESIANS 2:11. Paul addresses the Ephesian church as being “in times past Gentiles in the flesh.” and he points to the historic antagonism between Jews and non-Jews. On the one hand, Gentiles were scorned as “the Uncircumcision;” on the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Denials And Truth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 7, 2022

While Jesus stood bound in the house of the high priest, bold outspoken Peter denied Him three times.

DENIALS AND TRUTH. John 18:15-40. Although the disciples all initially scattered immediately after Jesus’ arrest (cf. Matthew 26:56), Simon Peter and “another disciple” thereafter followed Jesus and gained entrance into the palace of the high priest. The girl at the door challenged Peter, ...read more

Scripture: John 18:15-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational