Sermons on B Proper 13:

Naaman The Syrian.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2024

“I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (2 KINGS 5:15).

NAAMAN THE SYRIAN. 2 Kings 5:9-16. It must have been quite a commotion: Naaman and his entourage, horses and chariot and all, turning up at the door of the house of Elisha (2 KINGS 5:9). Naaman was a mighty man, but he was afflicted by some form of leprosy (cf. 2 Kings 5:1). The prophet sent a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-16

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

Love Builds Up, And Focuses On The Other (1 Corinthians 8:1-13) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Mar 7, 2022

The Corinthians are focused on knowledge, and their rights. In doing this, they've lost track of what's more important-- the church, and building the body.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul switches topics. So we find ourselves done thinking and talking about singleness, and marriage, and touching, and sexual immorality. The Corinthians have another question that they want Paul to answer. That question is something like this: "Is it okay to go to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

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

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

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

One Day At A Time Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on May 22, 2014

It is important to keep a proper perspective on life, and to remember that time is not in our hands.

“A Faith That Works: One Day at a Time” James 4:13-17 Charles Schultz has Linus say, “I guess it’s wrong always to be worrying about tomorrow. Maybe we should think only about today.” Charlie Brown responds, “No, that’s giving up. I’m still hoping ...read more

Scripture: James 4:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Cain And Abel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 10, 2024

"Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:9).

CAIN AND ABEL. Genesis 4:2-15. The acceptance of Abel’s offering as opposed to Cain’s is often explained in terms of THE NATURE OF THE SACRIFICE. We are reminded that ‘almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood, there is no remission’ (cf. Hebrews 9:22). ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:2-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captivity And Restoration Of Manasseh.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 4, 2025

This is an example of the amazing grace of God towards one who was a very ‘chief’ of sinners (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15).

THE CAPTIVITY AND RESTORATION OF MANASSEH. 2 Chronicles 33:9-13. Bad king Manasseh was a son of good king Hezekiah, but his own style of leadership is here described as “leading Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do evil more than the heathen” (2 CHRONICLES 33:9). ‘Moreover,’ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Treasures" Part 1 Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Jul 19, 2006

Sermon 13 in a study in the Sermon on the Mount

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Orthodox

The End Is Near

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 30, 2017

1) The Destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-2), 2) The Deception of Many (Mark 13:4–6), and finally, 3) The Devastation of the Earth (Mark 13:7–8).

As we come to the end of 2017, the review of events over the past year show that, in many ways, nothing has changed. For example, lamenting “the winds of war” blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Other