Sermons on B Proper 13:

Our Refuge Is The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 26, 2024

Abiding in the Presence of God.

OUR REFUGE IS THE LORD. Psalm 91:1-12. The opening verse of this Psalm seems to state the obvious: “those who take their shelter under the Most High are sheltered by the shadow of the Almighty” (PSALM 91:1). Yet there is a reason for this turn of speech: even those who are deemed ‘the people of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Of Jesus' Ministry.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2023

The Baptism, Temptation, and Preaching of Jesus.

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY. Mark 1:9-15. MARK 1:9-11. The Baptism of Jesus. Jesus came to John to be baptised in the River Jordan. Jesus did not have any personal sin to repent of, but His washing with water may have signified the ritual washing of a priest when he is first ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Everlasting Mercy Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 14, 2025

Reliability of the LORD.

THE EVERLASTING MERCY OF THE LORD. Psalm 118:1-9. Our Psalm today begins, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good” (PSALM 118:1a). Notice that it is not that ‘He has been good to me.’ But rather that He is “good” within Himself. My mentor knew what it was to be persecuted, but faithfully ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Boast In God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 22, 2025

These verses form the basis for an appeal to God for deliverance.

OUR BOAST IN GOD. Psalm 44:1-8. It is well if we base our appeals and cries for help to God not upon ourselves (our own good name, what we imagine we have achieved, and what we have done or not done); but rather upon His good name (PSALM 44:5; PSALM 44:8), what He has done in the past (cf. 1 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Name More Excellent. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2024

The superiority of Jesus.

A NAME MORE EXCELLENT. Hebrews 1:1-12. The high Christology of Hebrews 1 bears comparison with that of John 1:1-14. We are first reminded of the many and various ways that God spoke through the prophets in times past (Hebrews 1:1). Then we are informed that the final word of God has now come to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ Our Passover Is Sacrificed For Us.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 8, 2023

A perpetual feast to the LORD.

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. The context for this passage is one of church discipline (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:1). The case in point concerns an incestuous affair which, far from addressing, the church seems to have been ‘puffed up’ about (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:2). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Sower Explained.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 16, 2024

The Word of God is good seed (Luke 8:11): of that there is no doubt. So why is it that it does not have a good result in the lives of all those who hear it? The fault is in the soil.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER EXPLAINED. Luke 8:4-15. There were great crowds pressing to see Jesus, straining to hear His words, or perhaps hoping for a healing touch. We can imagine Jesus spotting a farmer sowing seed somewhere nearby, and using this to illustrate His own ministry. This parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sin And Deliverance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 20, 2024

There was none to help except the Lord.

SIN AND DELIVERANCE. Psalm 107:13-22. This reading begins and ends with a “crying out” to the LORD, His deliverance, and a call to praise. In the first of the two examples here, the petitioners were portrayed as people who were held fast with iron chains in the darkest deepest dungeon, ‘in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Shortened Time, A Passing World

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 8, 2017

The reordering of our priorities in the face of an impending crisis.

A SHORTENED TIME, A PASSING WORLD. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. This is one of Paul’s ‘I say, not the Lord’ passages (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25), meaning that he is not here directly quoting a word from Jesus. Not that his comments are uninspired, as some contend. The Apostle goes on to qualify ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Managing Christian Trials-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 12, 2010

3 of 3. James divulged the proper management of trials which were endemic/common to Christians. There are proper ways of managing the those difficulties. But How are we to do it? Tackling trials properly, involves managing...

MANAGING CHRISTIAN TRIALS-III—James 1:1-27 Attention: A Shipping Clerk at a factory, discovered a box that was left on the loading dock with this warning printed on it: DANGER DO NOT TOUCH! Management was called & all employees were told to stay clear of the box until it could be ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-25

Denomination: Baptist

New Heavens And A New Earth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 25, 2022

The marks of the new Jerusalem will be rejoicing, longevity, security, satisfying work, fellowship with God, and peace.

NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH. Isaiah 65:17-25. “Behold,” says the LORD, “I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17). The word for “create” is the same as in Genesis 1-2. But this is something “new,” which stands in contrast to “the former” things which “shall not be remembered nor ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Solemn Responsibility Of Christian Witness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 27, 2014

The person who receives you, dear Christian, receives Jesus - and He says that “the one who receives Me receives the One who sent Me” (Matthew 10:40).

THE SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRISTIAN WITNESS. Matthew 10:40-42. This is the continuation of what I have called the ‘little commission’ - the Missionary Discourse of Jesus (Matthew 9:35-10:42). We turn now from the missionaries to those who receive them. a) The attitudes and actions indicated ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:40-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Perpetual Memorial

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 16, 2017

Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

A PERPETUAL MEMORIAL. Exodus 12:1-14. The first time that we are told that the LORD spoke to Moses specifically ‘in Egypt’ was when He commissioned him to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 6:28). The second was here in Exodus 12:1, when Moses and Aaron were given the LORD’s instructions for the perpetual ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Progression Of The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Nov 8, 2001

exposition on Matt ch 13

THE PROGRESSION OF THE KINGDOM Matthew 13 v. 1 - 43 1. The place v. 1 by the sea-side i.e. perhaps because of rejection 2. The plan v. 3 parables - to teach truth and make it interesting, to apply truth and make it practical, to conceal truth (from rebels and scoffers) and make it hard to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-43

Denomination: Holiness

Love Builds Up, And Focuses On The Other (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 7, 2022

The Corinthians are focused on knowledge, and their rights. In doing this, they've lost track of what's more important-- the church, and building the body.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul switches topics. So we find ourselves done thinking and talking about singleness, and marriage, and touching, and sexual immorality. The Corinthians have another question that they want Paul to answer. That question is something like this: "Is it okay to go to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13