Sermons on B Proper 15:

Towards A New Creation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2018

Longing for home.

TOWARDS A NEW CREATION. 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. Having spoken of the impermanence of the ‘tent’ of this body, and the ‘eternity’ of our dwelling in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1), the Apostle Paul began to mix his metaphors, yearning to be ‘clothed upon’ with ‘our habitation which is from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sanctity Of The Sabbath.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 8, 2023

Nobody should be required to work more than six days a week.

THE SANCTITY OF THE SABBATH. Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The Sabbath is to be “kept” and “sanctified” (i.e. set apart for God) - as the LORD our God has commanded (DEUTERONOMY 5:12). It is to be ‘remembered’ (cf. Exodus 20:8) - which implies that it was already known about prior to the giving of the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time Of The End.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 20, 2021

Deliverance in a time of trouble. Resurrection and everlasting life. Wisdom and Witness.

THE TIME OF THE END. Daniel 12:1-3. DANIEL 12:1. “And at that time.” This reaches beyond the prophesied histories of the previous chapter to ‘the time of the end’ (cf. Daniel 11:35). “Michael” = 'Who is like God?' Various commentators throughout Christian history have ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ark Brought Up To Jerusalem.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 13, 2024

All our actions should be regulated by the word of God.

THE ARK BROUGHT UP TO JERUSALEM. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19. No sooner had David been anointed king over all Israel, than the Philistines came up against him. David’s instinct back then was to ‘enquire of the LORD’ as to what he should do (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-19). And David ‘did as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trusting God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

Our refuge is in the LORD.

TRUSTING GOD. Psalm 91:9-16. Christians under persecution have testified to the literal truth of Psalm 91:9-10 – but this does not alter the fact that Christians still do suffer. There are times when God does not deliver us FROM things, but rather delivers us IN things (Romans 8:37). The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living The Gospel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 24, 2021

The practical outworking of our relationship with the Father of lights

LIVING THE GOSPEL. James 1:17-27. James has already indicated that our God is a generous Giver (James 1:5). Here he cites God as the inexhaustible source of “every good act of giving, and every perfect gift” (James 1:17a). There is not so much as a shadow cast as a result of any ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rich And Poor In The Church Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

There are no 'untouchables' with God!

RICH AND POOR IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. James 2:1-17. James 2:1. The Greek of this section of the letter of James begins somewhat abruptly: “My brethren, not with partialities!” The impact of the whole sentence is: “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Everlasting Throne

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 14, 2020

Nevertheless: The faithfulness of God.

AN EVERLASTING THRONE Psalm 89:27-37. There is a tension in this Psalm, between the LORD’s promise of an everlasting dynasty for the line of David (Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 89:28), and the complaint of the Psalmist (Psalm 89:38). However, the LORD’s “Nevertheless” (Psalm 89:33) trumps the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 89:27-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Redemption #15 Series

Contributed by Clyde White on Mar 2, 2005

A question was asked, “Did Christ die for the sins of all people, or just certain ones?” Christ died for everyone in the world for all of time, but this salvation is only valuable or of benefit to those who believe. That is one of the wonders of redempti

We are continuing our examination and discovery of what the Word of God teaches concerning our redemption. We saw in the last lesson, that even the prophets who penned the teachings of the Old Testament inquired and searched diligently trying to acquire all the details of God’s redemptive program. ...read more

Scripture: John 1:7-9

God Is My Helper.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 4, 2021

Prayer starts with God, not us.

GOD IS MY HELPER. Psalm 54:1-7. The superscription to this Psalm associates it with a particular act of betrayal. David was on the run from King Saul (1 Samuel 23:15); and his neighbours, members of his own tribe, reported his whereabouts to his pursuers (1 Samuel 23:19). However, in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 54:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When Faith Comes From Within

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 15, 2018

The obverse side of the previous conversation: what comes out of the mouth when the heart is full of faith.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAITH COMES FROM WITHIN. Mark 7:24-37. In the earlier part of this chapter Jesus had disputed with some Scribes and Pharisees about ritual and tradition; and had taught those who would hear that defilement does not come from without, but from within (Mark 7:1-23). It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Alienation To Reconciliation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 15, 2023

"For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18).

FROM ALIENATION TO RECONCILIATION. Ephesians 2:11-22. EPHESIANS 2:11. Paul addresses the Ephesian church as being “in times past Gentiles in the flesh.” and he points to the historic antagonism between Jews and non-Jews. On the one hand, Gentiles were scorned as “the Uncircumcision;” on the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Israel Exalted.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 17, 2024

Re-establishing the Davidic dynasty through Jesus.

ISRAEL EXALTED. Ezekiel 17:22-24. The word of the LORD came ‘expressly’ to the priest Ezekiel in ‘the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity’ (cf. Ezekiel 1:2-3). Our present chapter is a ‘riddle,’ or an allegory: ‘a parable unto the house of Israel’ (EZEKIEL 17:2). It speaks of two eagles: ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ins And Outs Of Religious Purity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2018

Timeless teaching from Jesus as to the true nature and source of sin.

THE INS AND OUTS OF ‘RELIGIOUS’ PURITY. Mark 7:1-23. Every branch of society has its own traditions: some good, some bad, and some inconsequential. It doesn’t matter whether it is the pomp and ceremony of monarchy, or the ritual ‘pardon’ of a turkey at Thanksgiving. Some traditions are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bread From Heaven.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2022

It is all very well seeking Jesus. But WHY?

THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. John 6:22-35. JOHN 6:22-24. The details of these verses set the scene for the conversation which immediately follows. The people saw the disciples getting into the boat, but had lost sight of Jesus (John 6:22). Meantime other boats had come over from Tiberias to a place ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational