Sermons on B Proper 13:

A Trial Of Steadfast Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2024

Humble yourselves before God and resist the devil.

A TRIAL OF STEADFAST FAITH. 1 Peter 5:5-11. “Yea, ALL OF YOU be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility” (1 PETER 5:5b). This calls for mutual respect and humility, preferring the other to oneself. The reason follows: “for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Paul Plays The Fool.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 21, 2025

Paul has been accused of being a fool and weak. He does not deny the accusations, but makes a masterful ironic reply.

PAUL PLAYS THE FOOL. 2 Corinthians 11:19-31. While the Apostle Paul was delayed from his next visit to Corinth, certain ‘false apostles’ (as he calls them in 2 Corinthians 11:13) had come into the Corinthian church preaching ‘another Jesus, whom we have not preached,’ and offering ‘another ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Secret Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2025

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; that they may know His covenant (Psalm 25:14).

THE SECRET OF THE LORD. Psalm 25:14-22. “The secret of the LORD” (PSALM 25:14a). This speaks of the friendship, the intimate fellowship that the believer has with the LORD. It is as if we were seated upon our couch ‘in heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ (cf. Ephesians 2:6), listening to Him tell ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anger And Reconciliation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 6, 2024

The universal law against murder.

ANGER AND RECONCILIATION. Matthew 5:20-26. MATTHEW 5:20. The disciples were warned that if their righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, then they will not enter into the kingdom of heaven! This is emphatic. Mere outward conformity will never suffice (cf. 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Treat Your Enemy.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2024

Overcoming evil with good.

HOW TO TREAT YOUR ENEMY. Romans 12:16-21. “Be not wise in yourselves,” reads the last clause of ROMANS 12:16. Paul has already warned us against being ‘wise in our own conceits’ (cf. Romans 11:25). This is also taught elsewhere in Scripture (cf. Proverbs 3:7; Isaiah 5:21; James 3:13-16). The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life Hid With Christ In God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 19, 2024

If we have been made alive in Christ Jesus, then let us live our lives accordingly.

A LIFE HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. Colossians 3:1-7. 1. Since we have been “risen with Christ”, then we must “SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is…” (COLOSSIANS 3:1). We are to focus our lives on the One at “the right hand of God.” The posture mentioned is important: He is “seated,” ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Will Build Whose House?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 16, 2023

Solomon would build the LORD’s house, and the LORD would build the “house” (dynasty) of David.

WHO WILL BUILD WHOSE HOUSE? 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 2 Samuel 7:16. 2 SAMUEL 7:1-4. There is a subtle difference between a good idea and God’s will. God’s purposes will never fail, but amongst men an idea is often marred by mixed motives. For example, Israel’s reason for wanting a king was that they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 2 Samuel 7:16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oh That You Would Rend The Heavens

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 27, 2013

Let us pray for the whole state of Christ's church.

OH THAT YOU WOULD REND THE HEAVENS! Isaiah 64:1-9. When we pray for the whole state of Christ’s church, as we must do given the Lord’s own example (John 17:9), we should encourage ourselves by recalling past mercies. In the context of this passage, Isaiah has been gradually building up through ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:1-9

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

Take It To The Lord In Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 3, 2025

Even our friends might let us down, but God never will.

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. Psalm 55:16-22. PSALM 55:16. King David was no stranger to ‘friends’ letting him down, but his bold assertion in the face of betrayal was: “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” The God upon whom he calls is the true and living God, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prayer Of Jesus - Part Two.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 7, 2023

They Are Not of This World. Revised.

THE PRAYER OF JESUS – Part 2. John 17:11-19. JOHN 17:11. In the second part of His prayer, our Lord addresses the “Holy Father”). This epithet is unique, but understandable. Jesus is about to pray for the disciples’ sanctification (cf. John 17:17). He prays that they will be “kept through the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A Covenant For The Nations

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 21, 2015

The covenant established with Abraham is not just about the land, or circumcision - but it is also about God's plan of redemption for the nations, via the cross of Jesus.

A COVENANT FOR THE NATIONS. Genesis 17:1-7; Genesis 17:15-16. Abram was ninety-nine years old. Ishmael, his son by his wife’s slave girl Hagar, was thirteen. Now, after a long silence, the LORD spoke anew to Abram. When we try to work out God’s purposes on our own strength, as Abram and Sarai ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 17:1-7, Genesis 17:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Model Of Ministry

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 9, 2017

We must learn to become all things to all men, that we might indeed WIN/GAIN some for Christ to SAVE.

A MODEL OF MINISTRY. 1 Corinthians 9:16-23. The Apostle Paul has argued that, as their minister, he had every right to expect a wage from the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 9:14). However, and somewhat surprisingly, he then turns the idea on its head: ‘Nevertheless, we have not used this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Dawn Of Zion's Glory.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2024

"And the Gentiles shall come to thy light" (Isaiah 60:3).

THE DAWN OF ZION’S GLORY. Isaiah 60:1-9. The motif of darkness is at last vanquished by the coming of the light (ISAIAH 60:1). Just as in Creation, God spoke, and there was light (cf. Genesis 1:2-3). The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overwhelm it (cf. John 1:5). Like ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational