Sermons on B Proper 11:

The Widow And The Great Woman.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 29, 2024

Elisha addresses two situations: on the one hand, economic bondage; on the other, childlessness.

THE WIDOW AND THE GREAT WOMAN. 2 Kings 4:1-17. These accounts show Elisha to be a worthy successor to Elijah, and his miracles anticipate the compassionate ministry of Jesus. 1. The Widow. We are confronted first with “a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets” (2 KINGS 4:1), who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Years That The Locust Has Eaten

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 31, 2019

A promise of restoration to the repentant. A prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit. A warning of the judgment to come.

THE YEARS THAT THE LOCUST HAS EATEN. Joel 2:23-32. A very 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 the prospects ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:23-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mission To Galilee.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 15, 2013

Jesus goes walkabout into Galilee, seeking and saving that which was lost.

MISSION TO GALILEE. John 1:43-51. 1. PHILIP The first chapter of John’s Gospel, having opened with a declaration of Jesus as God (John 1:1), closes with Jesus seeming to make an ordinary human decision: to go ‘walkabout’ into Galilee (John 1:43) - perhaps to visit the home of His new disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Appeal For Deliverance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2025

The prayer of a soul in distress.

AN APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE. Psalm 143:1-12. Who are we going to turn to in a time of distress? For the believer, it can only be the LORD. We know that the LORD has helped us hitherto (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12), and that He is ‘a very present help in time of trouble’ (cf. Psalm 46:1). PSALM 143:1. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Cross Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2022

The eyewitness account of the Apostle John.

THE CROSS OF JESUS. John 19:17-37. JOHN 19:17. “Went forth.” The ultimate sin-offering, outside the gate (cf. Hebrews 13:12-13). JOHN 19:18. “Where they crucified Him.” Typology of the brass serpent (cf. John 3:14). A hanged man is cursed by God (cf. Deuteronomy 21:23), and Jesus became a ...read more

Scripture: John 19:17-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reflection B.1 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / How To Approach The Question

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We should ask whether God has a purpose in coronavirus. It's a logical and reasonable question to ask. But we first need to think about how to even approach the question.

In my second Reflection I wrote: “Some Christians are asking why we’re experiencing this pandemic. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times?” In my fifth Reflection I noted that the Daily Express [an English newspaper] had asked another question: “What does the Bible say ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Different Roles Of Men And Women In The Church Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 7, 2001

THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH GODLY MEN AND GODLY WOMEN TO FULFILL THEIR PROPER ROLES

BIG IDEA: THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH GODLY MEN AND GODLY WOMEN TO FULFILL THEIR PROPER ROLES I. EXPLANATION OF THE DIFFERENT ROLES A. Men Need to Lead in Prayer in the Public Assembly 1. Action -- "Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray" Wuest: "The word ’therefore’ is resumptive, picking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fire! Baptism! Discerning This Time

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 1, 2016

Division: a declaration of how things will be, rather than an imperative of how they should be.

FIRE! BAPTISM! DISCERNING THIS TIME. Luke 12:49-56. There is a measure of dissonance as this passage comes crashing through Jesus’ symphony of peace. “Fire!” begins the Greek of Luke 12:49. “Fire I came to cast into the earth, and what will I if it be already kindled?” Fire speaks to us of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:49-56

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shame Of The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 17, 2019

Jesus… for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.2.

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS. Psalm 70. I want to speak to you today about the shame of the Cross. This is what we see in Hebrews 12:2, and which Paul elaborates elsewhere by saying that Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Tree that we might be redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5, Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pledge For A Sure Future.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

A promise of a full redemption and restoration.

A PLEDGE FOR A SURE FUTURE. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, Jeremiah 32:6-15. The wonderful words of hope which are found in Jeremiah 30-33 were spoken whilst Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison in the king of Judah's house (Jeremiah 32:2). Jeremiah was accused of committing treason, no less, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-3, Jeremiah 32:6-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Heart. It Is I

Contributed by Nathan Webb on Aug 16, 2023

A sermon for the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 14.) A look at the gravity of Jesus' appearance on the water in the midst of the storm.

“Take heart, it is I.” Jesus has just fed more than five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples are picking up twelve baskets of leftovers. Each one of them packs a basket with their travelling gear. It’s getting late and Jesus has told them, “It’s time to head ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

A Camel That Passed Through The Eye Of A Needle. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2023

Jesus seeks and saves the lost.

A CAMEL THAT PASSED THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE. Abridged. Luke 19:1-10. We were reading recently about a certain ruler who, perhaps recognizing that money is not everything, asked Jesus what he must ‘do’ to inherit eternal life. The young man had an extremely high view of his own heart, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praise To God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 24, 2025

A call to worship the LORD.

PRAISE TO GOD. Psalm 96:1-9. 1. Creation. The Psalmist exhorts the earth to sing a new song to the LORD (PSALM 96:1). What is that new song? It is an acknowledgement that ‘the LORD reigns’ (cf. Psalm 96:10). That acknowledgement is based retrospectively in the realities of the creation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Are Your Priorities Out-Of-Whack?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jul 20, 2007

When we focus on listening to Jesus, our priorities will be in proper order.

Title: Are Your Priorities Out-of-Whack? Text: Luke 10:38-42 Thesis: When we focus on listening to Jesus, our priorities will be in proper order. Introduction I don’t know if this is a true story or not, but I suspect it is true, in that it was printed in a book by Steve Farrar titled, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Angels And Shepherds. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 17, 2022

Good tidings of great joy!

ANGELS AND SHEPHERDS. Abridged. Luke 2:8-20. Whatever reputation they may have had amongst men, it was to humble shepherds watching their flocks by night that the angel of the Lord appeared (Luke 2:8-9). There is nobody so low that the Lord cannot reach down into their situation, and raise ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational