Sermons on B Proper 13:

The True Treasure.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2022

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

THE TRUE TREASURE. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 1. A Word To Poor Christians (1 Timothy 6:6-10.) Paul’s response to those who suppose that ‘gain = godliness’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5) is the exact opposite: “But godliness + contentment = great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This contentment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pray Not For This People!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 9, 2022

The context of Jeremiah 14:11.

PRAY NOT FOR THIS PEOPLE! Jeremiah 14:7-10, Jeremiah 14:19-22. A series of droughts affected Judah during the reign of King Jehoiakim. The watercourses were empty, the ground was chapped, and there was no grass for the livestock. Nobles and their children, ploughmen, and both domestic and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:7-10, Jeremiah 14:19-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteousness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2022

The key word in this stanza of the Psalm is righteous/ righteousness. The word appears five times in the section.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. Psalm 119:137-144. PSALM 119:137. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” “Righteous art thou, O LORD,” is a declaration of the righteousness of God. And because He is righteous, all His “judgments” are “upright,” or “just.” Thus ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:137-144

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Church Of Philadelphia: Words Of Praise To A Faithful Assembly (Revelation 3:7-13)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 13, 2024

The sixth church that Jesus addressed received no words of rebuke or chastisement. It was faithful to the Gospel, open to opportunities, and be delivered from its enemies and the coming hour of trial upon the world.

The seven churches of Revelation 2-3 were literal, authentic, verifiable places of worship in the region of Asia Minor within the boundaries of the Roman Empire. These churches are not the product of allegory, nor are they tales of mystics and sages of ancient days. There is nothing written in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:12, Luke 12:8, Romans 10:9, 1 John 2:23, 1 John 4:15, Revelation 3:7-13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

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 Epitaph Of The Ungodly And The Testimony Of The Righteous.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 26, 2022

Our confidence rests in the covenant mercy of God, revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

THE EPITAPH OF THE UNGODLY AND THE TESTIMONY OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Psalm 52:1-9. The superscription of this Psalm associates it with the tittle-tattle tale-telling of a certain Edomite named Doeg, who was Saul’s chief shepherd (1 Samuel 21:7). This man - not wholly untruthfully, but certainly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 52:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abusing And Misusing The Lord's Supper

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 16, 2005

There is a proper way for a problemed church to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Abusing and Misusing the Lord’s Supper (Stand-Alone Sermon) 1 Cor. 11:17-34 March 6, 2005 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: Lovefeast (Agape) Potluck or bring-and-share supper Rich/poor But in giving this instruction, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Baptist

Grace To Give

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 18, 2018

The spontaneous voluntary sharing of the early church.

GRACE TO GIVE. Acts 4:32-35. The first reference to the voluntary sharing of the early church occurs soon after Pentecost, when the believers in the Jerusalem church (3,120 members plus daily additions) were said to be ‘together, and had all things in common, sold their possessions and goods, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

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

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

Keep Awake!

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Nov 26, 2011

First Sunday in Advent, Year B

Mark 13: 24 – 37 / Keep Awake! Intro: My cousin Leonard and his wife, Wanda live within 20 ft. of a set of railroad tracks. When visiting them one evening for dinner, a train rushed by shaking the whole house. I was ready to lung for cover under the table; but, Leonard and Wanda just sat ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:27-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Inside The Prayer Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2021

Entrusted to the Son by the Father.

INSIDE THE PRAYER OF JESUS. John 17:6-19. Jesus was aware of the power invested in Him to bring “all flesh” (John 17:2) under the sound of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-19), and to give eternal life to such as the Father gave Him (John 17:2). This is a great mystery, wrapped up as it is in what we ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2013

Some wrong answers, and the right answer, to the most important question of our life. Truths revealed by God versus a misplaced zeal.

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? Matthew 16:13-23. The most important question in the whole of our life concerns the Person of Christ. Who is He? What is He to us? Our answer to this question will determine what we believe, how we live, and where we will go when we die. 1. Jesus asked, “WHO DO MEN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Artificial Righteousness”: Glorifying In The Flesh.

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 16, 2019

Paul points to three factors that tend to motivate human works of attempted righteousness. They are often reflect: 1) Religious Pride (Galatians 6:12a), by 2) Cowardice (Galatians 6:12b), and 3) Hypocrisy (Galatians 6:13).

This month, heavily armed assailants again attacked an Ebola treatment centre in the heart of eastern Congo’s deadly outbreak. Some community members wary of outsiders after years of deadly rebel attacks have shown hostility to health workers in a region that is facing its first Ebola outbreak. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:11-13

Denomination: Other