Sermons on B Proper 13:

The Song Of The Thunderstorm. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 5, 2024

“The voice of the LORD.”

THE SONG OF THE THUNDERSTORM. Psalm 29:1-11. 1. The thunderstorm. Storm clouds gather over the Mediterranean. The thunder rolls inland over the cedars of Lebanon, and lightning strikes strip the cedars bare. Even the mountains of the North seem to be shaken to their very foundations. The storm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 29:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David - God's Surprising Choice (1 Samuel 16:1-13)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jul 4, 2024

The choice of David to be the next king of Israel shows His Sovereignty in action, but also shows that He is a God of Surprises.

"NOW the Lord said to Samuel, 'How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.' And Samuel said, 'How can I go? If ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Matthew 1:1, Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 17:37

Denomination: Baptist

The Ethiopian Ambassador

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

Philip preaches on Isaiah 53.

THE ETHIOPIAN AMBASSADOR. Acts 8:26-40. Many centuries ago, long before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah foresaw the suffering of “the Servant of the LORD” in dramatic language which hid nothing of the horror and the power of the vision which was disclosed to him. This same prophecy has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Measure Of Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2024

Having a mind set for God's service.

THE MEASURE OF FAITH. Romans 12:1-5. ROMANS 12:1. “I beseech you therefore, brethren,” begins the application of Paul’s letter to the Romans. These words introduce the practical building blocks laid upon the theological foundation of the previous 11 chapters: hence the “therefore”. This is an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-5

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

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

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

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

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

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

From The Fall Of Judas To The Centurion's Confession.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 18, 2024

Matthew's account of Jesus' Passion, as viewed from its own Biblical, historical and theological context.

FROM THE FALL OF JUDAS TO THE CENTURION’S CONFESSION. Matthew 27:1-54. I). THE FALL OF JUDAS ISCARIOT. Matthew 27:1-10. Jesus had prophesied how and when He was going to die (Matthew 26:2) and, despite His enemies’ determination that it should not be ‘during the feast’ (Matthew 26:5), ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-54

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Babe, Lying In A Manger.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2024

What a Sign! What a Song!

THE BABE, LYING IN A MANGER. Luke 2:1-14. 1. A ROYAL NATIVITY (Luke 2:1-7). When Jacob blessed his sons, he prophesied that the sceptre would not pass from Judah “UNTIL He comes whose right it is” (Genesis 49:10). Even the hireling prophet Balaam recognised that a king was still to arise ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Coming Of The Holy Spirit And The Return Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2024

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27.

THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE RETURN OF JESUS. John 14:15-31. *Notice how closely our love and our obedience are bound together (John 14:15; cf. John 14:21; 1 John 2:3-5). 1. He has given us the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). Jesus said, “I will pray the Father, and He will send another ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational