Sermons on B Proper 13:

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

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

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 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

The Gift Of Tongues And Interpretations Series

Contributed by Ed Wood on Jun 6, 2007

Spiritual Gifts Series - 5 of 13.

THE GIFT OF TONGUES AND INTERPRETATIONS 1 Corinthians 12:10 INTRO: A little, old American lady was touring London as part of a group. They were in Westminster Abbey, and the very proper English guide was pointing out the magnificent tombs, architecture, and other features of that great church. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:10

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Look Down Upon, Who Are The Dogs In Your Life?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 20, 2014

This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs investigation.

Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: 10-28 Summary: This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 15:10-28

Denomination: Episcopal

The Righteous Rejoice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2023

When believers rejoice, we rejoice in the LORD. Praise is an appropriate response for what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE RIGHTEOUS REJOICE. Psalm 33:1. “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1). We see first of all the exhortation: “Rejoice in the LORD” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22). When we abide in Jesus the true vine, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

Seventy Sent Forth

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 5, 2016

We are warned not to delight so much in our gifts and victories as to rejoice in the fact that our names are written in heaven.

SEVENTY SENT FORTH. Luke 10:1-11; Luke 10:16-20. The first thing we might notice about the appointment of the seventy in this passage is that they were appointed by Jesus (Luke 10:1). It is hazardous for anybody to enter into ministry without the commissioning of Jesus (Romans 10:15). However, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-11, Luke 10:16-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pictures From The Sermon On The Plain.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2025

Building our lives upon Jesus.

PICTURES FROM THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN. Luke 6:39-49. 1. The Two Blind Men (Luke 6:39-42). “Can the blind lead the blind?” asked Jesus. “Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (LUKE 6:39). There is a certain arrogance about some would-be teachers of others. They boast that they can see, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational