Sermons on B Proper 13:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abiding In His Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2021

When we abide in Jesus the true vine, not only do we dwell in His love, but we also partake of His joy.

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE. John 15:9-17. When a Christian is going through trials it may not be some temporal judgment for some particular sin, but rather that the Lord is testing them for their own improvement (Romans 5:3-5). Will we keep His commandments in the face of trials, and go on abiding in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust In The Midst Of Trial.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 2, 2025

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

TRUST IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL. Psalm 141:1-8. This is a confident cry for help in the midst of tribulations. It is addressed initially to “YHWH,” our covenant Lord (PSALM 141:1). Then later the Psalmist addresses “YHWH Adonai” - emphasising both our personal relationship with Him, and His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 141:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Has Done All Things Well.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2024

The deaf hear, and the dumb speak. Mark 7:37.

HE HAS DONE ALL THINGS WELL. Mark 7:31-37. Jesus was heading towards the Sea of Galilee (Mark 7:31). The next people He met were the friends of a deaf man who had such an impediment in his speech that it sounded like his tongue was tied up in knots. They brought him to Jesus, begging that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nearness Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2024

The righteous LORD draws nigh unto all that call upon Him.

THE NEARNESS OF THE LORD. Psalm 145:17-21. Our trust in the LORD is not based in our ability to believe, but in His perfections. He is righteous in all His ways: He is just. He is kind in all He does: He is holy (Psalm 145:17). It is good that we can view the LORD as a God who is not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Summons To Resounding Praise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2024

A solemn feast day.

A SUMMONS TO RESOUNDING PRAISE. Psalm 81:1-4. PSALM 81:1. There may be a time for quiet contemplative worship, but this is not it. It is a time of loudness, a time of noise. It is a time of fulness of joy. We are not called to be perfect in our singing, but to “Sing aloud” and “make a joyful ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moses' Prayer And The People's Complaining.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 14, 2025

'These things are written for our admonition' (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11).

MOSES’ PRAYER AND THE PEOPLE’S COMPLAINING. Numbers 10:35-36, Numbers 11:1-3. 1. Moses’ prayer (NUMBERS 10:35-36) encourages us to begin and end every day, every journey, every project and every ministry with prayer. Our attitude should be one of prayerfulness throughout. When he says, “Rise ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 10:35-36, Numbers 11:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glory Of The Gospel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 18, 2024

"If the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more does the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory" (2 CORINTHIANS 3:9).

THE GLORY OF THE GOSPEL. 2 Corinthians 3:4-9. Paul is confident that the Corinthians ARE his letters of recommendation (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:2). This trust towards God is mediated through Christ Himself (2 CORINTHIANS 3:4). There is a denial of self-sufficiency, and an acknowledgement of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That These Bones Might Live.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2024

How long-dead sun-bleached bones revive, and become an exceeding great army.

THAT THESE BONES MIGHT LIVE. Ezekiel 37:1-10. The valley into which Ezekiel was transported “in the Spirit of the LORD” was “full” of bones (EZEKIEL 37:1). They were very many, exposed in the open valley, and very dry (EZEKIEL 37:2). The question is: can a vast miscellaneous collection of ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational