Sermons on B Proper 13:

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

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

Seek Ye First

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 17, 2020

Giving first place to the things of God.

SEEK YE FIRST. Matthew 6:19-34. 1. Heart-Treasure. “Treasure not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,” begins Matthew 6:19. Moths destroy clothes (cf. Isaiah 51:8). Even gold and silver can become cankered (cf. James 5:2). Thieves can literally “dig through” mud-brick houses. No, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Just Passing Through.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 11, 2025

Living in a world that is not our home.

JUST PASSING THROUGH. Psalm 120:1-7. The Psalmist’s testimony is, “In my distress, I cried unto the LORD" (PSALM 120:1a). Prayer is our only recourse in time of trouble (cf. John 16:23-24). It is sure to gain a response from the LORD: “and He heard me” (PSALM 120:1b; cf. Psalm 18:6; Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 120:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Adoption Of Mephibosheth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 5, 2025

An illustration of what it means to be adopted into the family of God.

THE ADOPTION OF MEPHIBOSHETH. 2 Samuel 9:6-13. David the son of Jesse, and Jonathan the son of king Saul, were the best of friends. When they parted ways they entered into a covenant in which David vowed to show kindness to Jonathan’s family “for ever” (cf. 1 Samuel 20:14-16). After David became ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:6-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Bless.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 11, 2024

"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing."

CALLED TO BLESS. 1 Peter 3:8-15a. Peter names five virtues whereby we might be a blessing to one another (1 PETER 3:8). (i). Like-mindedness; i.e. living in harmony with one another. Being willing to submit ourselves to one another in godly love (cf. Ephesians 5:21). (ii). Compassion; i.e. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Saul Proclaimed King.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 28, 2025

In wanting a king at all, Israel was rejecting the LORD’s kingship. But the LORD allowed it.

SAUL PROCLAIMED KING. 1 Samuel 10:17-24. Saul and his servant had set out from their home with no greater commission than to find his father’s lost donkeys (cf. 1 Samuel 9:3). As a last resort, the servant suggested that they seek out the prophet Samuel: ‘peradventure he can shew us our way that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Widow And The Great Woman.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 29, 2024

Elisha addresses two situations: on the one hand, economic bondage; on the other, childlessness.

THE WIDOW AND THE GREAT WOMAN. 2 Kings 4:1-17. These accounts show Elisha to be a worthy successor to Elijah, and his miracles anticipate the compassionate ministry of Jesus. 1. The Widow. We are confronted first with “a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets” (2 KINGS 4:1), who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Finding Suitable Armor: David Versus Goliath

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 15, 2024

The story of David and Goliath is well-known. Little David serves as Israel's champion and defeats Goliath with the help of the Lord. But there is even a bigger Goliath that we face who taunts us every day. So we need a better champion. This is Jesus Christ. For Proper 7 After Pentecost, year B

Finding Suitable Armor: David Versus Goliath 1 Samuel 17:32–39 NKJV Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49, 1 Samuel 17:4-9, 1 Samuel 17:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Time To Favour Zion.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2025

Keep on praying.

THE TIME TO FAVOUR ZION. Psalm 102:12-17. Man in his affliction may feel that his days are racing away from him (cf. Psalm 102:11). Yet, before our legitimate prayer (cf. Psalm 102:1) disintegrates into despair, it is well to remind ourselves that “thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Building On The Rock

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 8, 2020

To build our lives on anything less than a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is the very height of madness.

BUILDING ON THE ROCK. Matthew 7:21-29. In the end, there will be those who PROFESS, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, and in your name have cast out demons, and in your name done many wonderful works?” to whom Jesus will PROFESS, “I never knew you: depart from me, you (all) ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Awaiting The Manifestation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 30, 2024

From suffering to glory.

AWAITING THE MANIFESTATION. Romans 8:18-23. Paul weighs “the sufferings of the present time” over against “the glory which shall be revealed in us” (ROMANS 8:18; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Our inheritance is not only what God has to offer, but God Himself (cf. 1 John 3:2). It is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational