Sermons on B Proper 23:

Bridling The Tongue

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The same tongue which responds to God’s manifest glories by blessing His holy name also denigrates the poor - the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien - who, like us, are made in His image.

BRIDLING THE TONGUE. James 3:1-12. “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). James 3:1. James begins his elucidation of this text with a warning against seeking pre-eminence amongst the brethren. This ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hard Calling

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2018

It is hard preaching to hard heads and hard hearts.

A HARD CALLING. Ezekiel 2:1-5. In times gone by, and in certain places and professions still, it was taken for granted that children would follow in the trade of their fathers. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, would have known from an early age that they were going to be fishermen. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Indoor-Outdoor Spiritual Barbeque

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2015

A damning indictment against stubborn unbelief, and a shocking redefining of 'family'...

AN INDOOR-OUTDOOR SPIRITUAL BARBEQUE. Mark 3:20-35. Belief crowds in towards Jesus, oblivious of walls (oblivious of the roof on one occasion), in the hope of a healing touch (Mark 3:20). Unbelief stands outside, questioning Jesus’ sanity. Some well-meaning acquaintances of Jesus wanted to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:20-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Riot Of Colour And Beauty

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2015

The mysterious workings of God's grace in the believer.

A RIOT OF COLOUR AND BEAUTY. Mark 4:26-34. One year I dug a border outside my living room window. I bought some packets of seeds, dug small troughs, and scattered the seeds randomly in the little troughs before covering them over with light soil (cf. Mark 4:26). Job done. For a while, nothing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anointed Ruler, Divine King

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 15, 2017

The Old Testament expectation was inclining towards the coming of the warrior king. Instead, He appeared as the man on the donkey.

ANOINTED RULER, DIVINE KING. Zechariah 9:9-12. In a series of visions, Zechariah reached beyond the needs of his own time to the coming of Jesus. In Zechariah 9:1, the eyes of men, and all Israel, were looking towards the return of the LORD to His city and Temple. The departure was foretold by ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A State Of Being Which Gives Rise To Activity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 18, 2016

A Christian perspective on Torah.

A STATE OF BEING WHICH GIVES RISE TO ACTIVITY. Psalm 119:1-8. We begin our study of the selected passage with the observation that the word for “blessed” is not a verb, but a noun. It is a state of being, not an activity. We are “blessed” not because “we walk in the law of the LORD”; but rather ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Romans Chapter 7:1-23 (Lesson)

Contributed by Ronnie Miller on Oct 10, 2011

Sin is like trying to live with a straight jacket on but, we are set free because we now have a new relationship ...but, before we can be really free from our first nature...it must be dead..we must accept our new from Christ. Lay the old to rest to be re

10-09-2011 Lesson Romans7:1-23 It's all about the victory In the first 6 verses of Romans 7 Paul gives a great illustration of how we were before Christ came into our life. About how a woman in marriage to her husband is bonded with him and his law but, only if he dies will she have the freedom ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Criminal's Acknowledgements - Luke 23: 39-43

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Aug 1, 2011

The Criminal's Acknowledgements - Luke 23: 39-43

The Criminal's Acknowledgements - Luke 23: 39-43 The Criminal's Acknowledgements Luke 23:39 One of the criminals hanging there began to shout insults at Jesus: "Aren't you the Messiah? Then save yourself, and save us too!" Luke 23:40 But the other criminal stopped him. He said, "You should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Murder Of The Innocents! (Matthew 2:13-23)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 8, 2007

The streets of Bethlehem awash with blood! What happened to gentle Jesus, meek and mild? ...

O little Town of Bethlehem! How still we see thee lie! No! Not today! Did you listen to today’s Gospel reading – there is blood running in the streets of Bethlehem, and mothers weeping for their dead children! Yesterday, ’the little Lord Jesus no crying he makes’, but today there is crying a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Picky Picky - Mark 2:23-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

The Pharisees accuse the disciples of Sabbath breaking when they pick grain while traveling. Jesus responds by pointing to David eating the bread of the presence.

Mark 2:23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

Éxodo 23. Viviendo En Sociedad. Series

Contributed by Pastor: Jose Luis Dejoy on Feb 1, 2020

El pueblo de Israel ya era libre pero ahora el reto más grande era lograr vivir en sociedad

El pueblo de Israel ya era libre pero ahora el reto más grande era lograr vivir en sociedad. Lo que acaba con cualquier relación no es la falta de amor, lo que acaba con cualquier relación es el no poderse entender los unos a los otros, es decir la mala convivencia. El saber convivir ...read more

Denomination: Bible Church

Truth, Feasts & A Guardian (Exodus 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Aug 29, 2024

Should Israel tell the truth? Should they observe three annual festival seasons? Would God guard them? Let's look at Exodus 23.

Should Israel always speak the truth? Should they keep three annual feast seasons? Would God send a guardian angel? Let’s look at Exodus 23. Should Israel be involved in spreading false reports, vigilante mobs, or show special favors in judgment merely because they feel sorry for a poor man? Thou ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Love And Obedience John 14:23 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 6, 2024

John 14:23 is a simple yet profound truth that has the power to transform our lives if we truly grasp it.

Transformed by Truth: The Power of Love and Obedience Introduction: Today, we are considering a powerful statement made by our Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John. It’s a simple yet profound truth that has the power to transform our lives if we truly grasp it. This morning, we’re going to focus on ...read more

Scripture: John 14:23, 1 John 5:3, John 15:4, James 4:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Power Of A Timely Word - Proverbs 15:23 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 22, 2024

Proverbs 15:23 - explore the power of timely words and how, through God's wisdom, we can speak life into others' lives.

Transformed by Truth: The Power of a Timely Word - Proverbs 15:23 Introduction: A Word in Season Words hold immense power. Proverbs 15:23 (NLT) tells us, “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!” Today, we’re going to explore the power of timely ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 18:21, James 3:5, Ecclesiastes 3:7, John 14:26, Ephesians 4:15, Colossians 4:6, Luke 4:22, John 8:7, Psalm 19:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist