Sermons on B Proper 13:

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

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

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

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

Affirming Faith Versus Turning A Phrase Series

Contributed by Don Campbell on Oct 23, 2025

This is the 13th sermon in the series.

AFFIRMING FAITH VERSUS TURNING A PHRASE PSALM 119:106-112 INTRODUCTION A. Some of my earliest memories outside our home were of worship services being conducted in a one-room schoolhouse—services I did not understand but perceived as very important. The earnestness of the Bible discussions, the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Thirty-Third Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year B: The End Of The World And Tender Branches

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 1, 2024

The date of the end of the world cannot be known based on prophecy.

We are nearing the end of Ordinary Time as Advent draws near and so the theme this time of year is on the Second Coming of Christ at the end of the world. People are telling end of the world jokes like there is no tomorrow! E.g., A comedian spoke of a Pentecostal preacher who had predicted the end ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-32

Denomination: Catholic

David - God's Surprising Choice (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 4, 2024

The choice of David to be the next king of Israel shows His Sovereignty in action, but also shows that He is a God of Surprises.

"NOW the Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.' And Samuel said, 'How can I go? If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Matthew 1:1, Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 17:37

Denomination: Baptist

Embracing God's Call Series

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Aug 15, 2018

The proper way to respond to God when He is calling you to serve Him.

EMBRACING GOD’S CALL 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-25 What will you do with your life? That’s a mind-blowing question. As a graduating senior, it is like a freight train coming at you in a tunnel. Don’t fret, though, because it’s good practice for you. It seems I’ve spent most of my life in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Not Without Blood

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 15, 2019

The ratification of the old covenant did not take place without blood. But it took the blood of Christ to bear away our sins, once and forever!

NOT WITHOUT BLOOD. Hebrews 9:15-28. In continuing to compare and contrast the old covenant and the new, we have seen how the high priest would enter the ‘Holiest of All’ (Hebrews 9:3), alone, once a year (on the Day of Atonement) ‘not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:15-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Learned From The Parables Lesson 1

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 24, 2025

Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God.

A. Luke 19:12-26 Stewardship is our proper management of time, talent and treasure for the glory of God” –Definition from Developing a Giving Church (Elmer Towns). 1. God owns everything. He is the nobleman who owns the money, the servants, the farm, and the increase from the work of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Call Of Elisha. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 5, 2024

No looking back!

THE CALL OF ELISHA. Abridged. 1 Kings 19:19-21. The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of (amongst others) a young apprentice for Elijah to mentor (cf. 1 Kings 19:16). This was delegation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Has Overcome The World.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2024

“Be of good cheer” and ‘let not your heart be troubled.’

JESUS HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. John 16:23-33. JOHN 16:23a. “And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing.” In John 16:19, Jesus had known that “they were desirous to ask Him” about what He had just said. Now he assures us that at His second coming we won’t need to ask Him such things, because we would ...read more

Scripture: John 16:23-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Patience Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2023

The longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for repentance.

THE PATIENCE OF THE LORD. 2 Peter 3:8-15a. 2 PETER 3:8. Peter wishes to emphasize to his “beloved” friends that the longer the Lord’s delay, the more time there is for repentance. To the LORD a thousand years are but as a day when it is past (cf. Psalm 90:4). Yet He stretches out the day of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Set Free Mindset

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 16, 2020

God did what the law could not.

A SET FREE MINDSET. Romans 8:1-5. “Then-now-no” begins the Greek of this wonderful chapter of God’s Book. This firm negation placed right at the beginning of the sentence serves to emphasise the absolute impossibility of there ever being any “condemnation” - to whom? “To those in Christ ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational