Sermons on B Proper 23:

A Shepherd Oracle

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2016

Bad shepherds versus the Righteous Branch.

A SHEPHERD ORACLE. Jeremiah 23:1-6. Peter writes to the elders of the church, ‘Shepherd the flock of God, exercising oversight… not as exercising lordship over them, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd has been manifested, you shall receive the unfading crown of glory’ ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Omniscience Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2023

The response to "The LORD has searched me" (cf. Psalm 139:1) is “Search me and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23).

THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. Psalm 139:1-12, Psalm 139:23-24. When we read Psalm 139, sometimes it is hard to tell whether we should read it with a sense of dread: The LORD knows me (PSALM 139:1); He knows everything I am doing (PSALM 139:2); He knows where I am going (PSALM 139:3); He knows my every ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Child Asked For

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 17, 2015

As his name seems to suggest, Samuel was a child asked for. The destiny of the faithful was wrapped up in the birth of this child.

A CHILD ASKED FOR. 1 Samuel 1:4-20. It was still the days of the judges, and still everyone did what they thought was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). Yet the LORD was at work, shaping man’s destiny according to His plan. The ‘man according to His own heart’ (Acts 13:22) had not yet ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:4-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Adam To Christ.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 15, 2021

From Adam, where are you? to victory in Jesus.

FROM ADAM TO CHRIST. Genesis 3:8-15. Adam was the representative head of the human race, and when he partook of the forbidden fruit, he brought disaster and death upon all of his descendants. Spiritual death, separation from God, was immediate. Suddenly man and his wife realised that they were ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Would God I Had Died For Thee!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 17, 2021

The fatherly tears of David the king, and the compassion of God.

WOULD GOD I HAD DIED FOR THEE! 2 Samuel 18:5-9; 2 Samuel 18:15; 2 Samuel 18:31-33. When I was still on the threshold between boyhood and manhood, I wrote two books of poems. The first I entitled, 'Going our own way.' I did not think of it at the time, but perhaps I was using the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 2 Samuel 18:15, 2 Samuel 18:31-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Perpetual Promise And The Broken Bread.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 12, 2021

The bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6 verse 51.

A PERPETUAL PROMISE AND THE BROKEN BREAD. John 6:35, John 6:41-51. Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst’ (John 6:35). “I AM” is, of course, the name of God (Exodus 3:14). Jesus identifies Himself with God, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35, John 6:41-51

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Sequence Of Sayings

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2018

A reward for those who welcome Jesus' disciples. A warning for those who lead them astray.

A SEQUENCE OF SAYINGS. Mark 9:38-50. 1. John informed Jesus of “one casting out devils in Your name; and we forbad him because he follows not with us” (Mark 9:38). Perhaps John’s jealousy was fired by the failure of the nine members of the team who - whilst Jesus, Peter, James and John ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:38-50

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ruth And The Restorer Of Life

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2013

Boaz is the restorer of life, granting Naomi restoration and fullness. Thus does Jesus give life and hope to His own.

RUTH AND THE RESTORER OF LIFE. Ruth 4. It is beautiful to see the way that the LORD restored the broken line of the clan of Ephrathah. Naomi, whose name means Lovely, renames herself Mara, Bitterness. However, her new name never caught on: she is always called Naomi, and in the end must lift ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Compassion: The Healing Touch

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

It is never a fruitless exercise when we bring others to Christ.

COMPASSION: THE HEALING TOUCH. Mark 6:30-34; Mark 6:53-56. It was with some measure of excitement that the twelve apostles returned from their first outreach. They had fulfilled their commission, and were keen to report to Jesus on all that they had said and done (Mark 6:30). If ever there was a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:53-56, Mark 6:30-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Down The Walls

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

Church, in the final analysis, defines a people who are in the world but not of the world - ministering to the world.

BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS. Ephesians 2:11-22. Church. A building or a people? Churches. Buildings constructed over supposed holy sites, in which various forms of worship take place. Some of these original citadels have disappeared, their walls removed to build alternative edifices. The problem ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Signs Of Messiah And The Age Of The Spirit.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 26, 2021

Physical healings and spiritual realities.

SIGNS OF MESSIAH AND THE AGE OF THE SPIRIT. Isaiah 35:4-7. For those who are afflicted, who have waited, who have prayed and longed for deliverance: take heart, God will avenge, God will recompense, God will save you (Isaiah 35:4). The restoration of sight and hearing (Isaiah 35:5) is Messiah’s ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is Like Our God?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 24, 2022

From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.

WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD? Psalm 113:1-9. PSALM 113:1. “Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.” “Praise ye the LORD” is a translation of “Hallelujah.” It is an imperative, addressed to a plurality of people. These people are identified as “the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 113:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Janie Fox Funeral Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Dec 23, 2020

Funeral Sermon

Janie Fox Funeral 1. Memories Memory is a sweet gift. The Bible speaks about God remembering people. As he remembers them, grace flows towards them. It was Nehemiah whose prayer is recorded at the close of his book in the OT. He prayed, "Oh, God, remember me for good." Remember the good ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Psalms 23 Break Down

Contributed by Sean Dees on Mar 1, 2022

The 23 Psalm is like a comfort food. No matter how many times you have it you just can't get enough of it.

The Provision of the Shepherd: 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. These first three verses speak of the ...read more

Returning To Our Proper Place In God Series

Contributed by Bruce Landry on Jan 26, 2002

We continue our walk with Jacob as he meets Esau. Jacob shows us a great deal of wise stewardship in this chapter. Jacob follows through and returns home in obedience to God.

Returning to Our Proper Place in God Jacob’s Reunion with Esau Jacob’s Return in obedience to God’s Promised Land I noticed in the Bristol Bay Times this week that a serviceman and his family were able to visit Dillingham. Imagine he had been gone 13 years. I know that when Gloria and I leave ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 33:1-20

Denomination: Baptist