Sermons on B Proper 16:

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

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

Social Skills Required From Jesus To Sort The Tantrums.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 24, 2014

At first glance this Gospel reading is very uninspiring; and read over it quickly, but there is much more to this story than meets the eye; its message, the social skills and the tantrums hide some secrets that lay hidden. Read on and enjoy …

Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 Summary: At first glance this Gospel reading is very uninspiring; and read over it quickly, but there is much more to this story than meets the eye; its message, the social skills and the tantrums hide some secrets that lay hidden. Read on and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal

The Shame Of The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 17, 2019

Jesus… for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.2.

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS. Psalm 70. I want to speak to you today about the shame of the Cross. This is what we see in Hebrews 12:2, and which Paul elaborates elsewhere by saying that Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Tree that we might be redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5, Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call And Compassion Of Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 14, 2020

Jesus calls sinners, heals the sick and raises the dead.

THE CALL AND COMPASSION OF JESUS. Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 9:18-26. 1. The Call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13) Wherever we live, under whatever regime, tax collectors are unpopular. It was no different in first century Israel, where Matthew’s trade involved collaboration with the Romans, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pledge For A Sure Future.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

A promise of a full redemption and restoration.

A PLEDGE FOR A SURE FUTURE. Jeremiah 32:1-3a, Jeremiah 32:6-15. The wonderful words of hope which are found in Jeremiah 30-33 were spoken whilst Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the prison in the king of Judah's house (Jeremiah 32:2). Jeremiah was accused of committing treason, no less, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-3, Jeremiah 32:6-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Increasing Faith And A Growing Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

Congratulations and compliments to men are here wrapped up in the praise of God.

AN INCREASING FAITH AND A GROWING LOVE. 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. INTRODUCTION (2 Thessalonians 1-2). 1. Pauline Authorship (2 Thessalonians 1:1). 2. In/ from/ according to “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

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

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

The Grace Of Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2025

"But He giveth more grace" (James 4:6).

THE GRACE OF SUBMISSION. James 4:1-10. James has been contrasting the ‘earthly, sensual, devilish’ wisdom that engenders ‘envying and strife’ (cf. James 3:14-16) with the ‘peaceable’ wisdom of God (cf. James 3:17-18). JAMES 4:1. With a startling suddenness, James asks, “From whence come wars ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Towards Sanctification.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 11, 2025

God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

TOWARDS SANCTIFICATION. 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. As Paul approaches the subject of “sanctification” (cf. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3; 1 THESSALONIANS 4:4), he encourages his readers on their “walking” and “pleasing God” so far; but also “beseeches” and “exhorts” them “in the Lord Jesus” to “abound more ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of The First Disciples

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Every Christian has a part to play.

THE CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES. Mark 1:14-20. 1. The call of the Gospel (Mark 1:14-15) After Jesus’ baptism by John, and His successful wilderness encounter against Satan - this short passage introduces a seemingly ominous note to Mark’s gospel narrative: John was put in prison (Mark 1:14). ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Name More Excellent. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2024

The superiority of Jesus.

A NAME MORE EXCELLENT. Hebrews 1:1-12. The high Christology of Hebrews 1 bears comparison with that of John 1:1-14. We are first reminded of the many and various ways that God spoke through the prophets in times past (Hebrews 1:1). Then we are informed that the final word of God has now come to ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Has Given Us Many Talents - Share Them

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Nov 15, 2008

A sermon for the 27th Sunday after Pentecost, proper 28, series A

27th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 28] November 16, 2008 “Series A” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus the Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, through our baptism into the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ, you have called us ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Lutheran