Sermons on B Proper 26:

The Context Of The Incarnation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 30, 2023

From bondage-to-the-law to an heir-of-God through Christ.

THE CONTEXT OF THE INCARNATION. Galatians 4:1-7. ‘The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith’ (cf. Galatians 3:24). The picture is as of an heir to a great estate, who in his infancy is under the control and tutelage of guardians and stewards. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stress-Powered Prayer - Philippians 4:5b-6a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

There is good anxiety and bad anxiety. Eliminate the bad kind, and make good use of hte good kind.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5-6

God Is Good

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 15, 2020

A heart of Praise towards God.

GOD IS GOOD. Psalm 145:8-14. “The LORD is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and merciful” (Psalm 145:8). This is similar to the self-revelation of the LORD to Moses (cf. Exodus 34:6). It is an integral part of Israel’s understanding of their God (cf. Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Jonah ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:8-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't For Your Own Good.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 11, 2020

Don’t give yourself over to unusual appetites, but live modestly, don’t give yourself over to fleeting success stories, live by what has been proven to you through your scriptural upbringing.

Don’t—For Your Own Good Proverbs 23:1-18NLT “Don’t give yourself over to unusual appetites, but live modestly, don’t give yourself over to fleeting success stories, live by what has been proven to you through your scriptural upbringing.” P.H Proverbs 23:1-3NLT While dining with a ruler, pay ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21, James 1:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Two Kinds Of Servitude

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 20, 2017

Two ways of life. Two very different masters. Two pathways: one leading to death, and one leading to life. Two very different paydays.

TWO KINDS OF SERVITUDE. Romans 6:12-23. What we are, and whose we are, shapes what we do with what we've got. Negatively, the Apostle Paul encourages us to resist any attempt that sin makes to usurp authority in our physical lives (Romans 6:12). Even for Christians, the body and its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Covenant People In The Dock.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 30, 2022

When He calls His covenant people to judgment, those bound to Him by sacrifice, it is not necessarily something to strike terror into our hearts: because that covenant is true, and that all-sufficient sacrifice is Jesus.

COVENANT PEOPLE IN THE DOCK. Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:22-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Now Faith Is.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2022

The substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

NOW FAITH IS. Hebrews 11:1-3, Hebrews 11:8-16. This chapter follows on from the quotation of Habakkuk 2:4 in Hebrews 10:38a: ‘the just shall live by faith’ (see also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11). “Now faith is,” continues Hebrews 11:1. The first thing that we learn about faith is that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, Hebrews 11:8-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Visitation By The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2022

Hospitality, and a promise reiterated.

A VISITATION BY THE LORD. Genesis 18:1-10a. This passage is described as an encounter in which “the LORD” (= YHWH, Hebrew) “appeared unto” Abraham when he was having his siesta “in the heat of the day.” When he lifted up his head, suddenly, there were three men standing by him. As if waking ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come Up Hither.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 4, 2022

Whoever exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.

COME UP HITHER. Proverbs 25:6-7. This proverb is doubtless what Jesus had in mind when He made His own parable about people choosing the finest seats for themselves at a feast (Luke 14:7-11). There are always ranks in society, any society. Solomon speaks of a king, and of “great men.” ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ishmael.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2023

The on-going contention between the son of Hagar, and the seed of Sarah

ISHMAEL. Genesis 21:8-21. The history of Ishmael and Isaac is the history of the struggle between flesh and spirit, between the carnal seed and the spiritual seed, between the world's way and God's way. In the first place, Abraham had faith. The LORD pointed him towards the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faith Of Abraham. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2023

The LORD will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering.

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM. Abridged. Genesis 22:1-14. Sometimes in our Christian lives we are challenged to surrender to God that which we hold most dear, that upon which we set our hopes, even that which God has given to us as a gift. God promised Abraham a son, but the patriarch’s wife ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Long?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 20, 2023

A flow from pain through prayer to praise.

HOW LONG? Psalm 13:1-6. This is a lament, a Psalm of complaint. This is evident from the outset, with the fourfold cry of pain, “How long?” (Psalm 13:1-2). The complaint is addressed first to the LORD (Psalm 13:1), but then seems to descend into something resembling self-pity (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1-6

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 Call To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 18, 2023

What do we need to purchase the water of salvation? Nothing at all! It is a free gift of the true and living God.

A CALL TO FAITH. Isaiah 55:1-5. ISAIAH 55:1. The Bible is full of wonderful gracious invitations. Isaiah 55 begins with a call to the thirsty to come to the waters. This is in order to quench, not a physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst. Jesus said, ‘Blessed are those who hunger and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faithfulness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 22, 2023

"The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Romans 11:29.

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD. Romans 11:1-2a, Romans 11:29-32. What is causing Paul so much stress and distress is that Israel ‘have not all obeyed the gospel’ (cf. Romans 10:16). As we enter our present chapter, Paul is asking: Does this then mean that God has “cast away His people” (Romans ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-2, Romans 11:29-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational