Sermons on B Proper 26:

Stand Strong In Preaching (4:1,2) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 9, 2021

The proper motive of preachers is a desire for faithfulness to God, not worldly fame.

Tom Lowe 12/19/2020 Scripture:Introduction 2 Timothy 4:1, 2 (NIV) 1. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2. preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1

Denomination: Baptist

Grace To Give

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 18, 2018

The spontaneous voluntary sharing of the early church.

GRACE TO GIVE. Acts 4:32-35. The first reference to the voluntary sharing of the early church occurs soon after Pentecost, when the believers in the Jerusalem church (3,120 members plus daily additions) were said to be ‘together, and had all things in common, sold their possessions and goods, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:32-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Redemption Of The The Body: How Then Shall We Live?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 22, 2017

Ethical living for resurrection people.

THE REDEMPTION OF THE BODY: HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE? 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. This passage is a perfect weaving together of the doctrinal with the ethical. It begins by dealing with what appear to be two slogans of the Corinthians. First, something which we hear quite often upon the lips of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Shalom is God’s peace made alive in the life of the believer. It guides, comforts, quiets, restores and sustains, regardless of life circumstances. Shalom is found nowhere apart from God.

It is possible not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for ...read more

Denomination: Other

Hope Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Hope is oriented toward what God is doing; wishing is oriented toward what we are doing. Choose hope—hope is living in anticipation of what God is going to do next.

Webster defines a patriot as one “who loves and loyally or zealously supports one's own country”. By that definition, Asaph (author of Ps. 80), was both patriot and man of God, burdened for his country. Among all nations of the world, Israel was/is God's crown jewel. For hundreds of years she ...read more

Denomination: Other

The Self-Sacrifice Of The Shepherd.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2021

He is the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep, and dies for His flock.

THE SELF- SACRIFICE OF THE SHEPHERD. John 10:11-18. In the fourth “I am” saying of John’s Gospel, Jesus appears as the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Thus He is made known to His sheep (John 10:14). In John 10 Jesus effectively castigated the Pharisees for their ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Give Thanks

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 28, 2018

We must share the good news: His mercy DOES endure forever!

A CALL TO GIVE THANKS. Psalm 107:1-3; Psalm 107:17-22. This Psalm is a celebration of the wonderful works of God. The situations referred to in each of its word pictures could no doubt be attached to some specific event in the history of God’s people. However, they are common experiences, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:17-22, Psalm 107:1-3, Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Serpent And The Cross.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2023

Without the Cross there is no salvation for any one of us, bitten as we are by the sting of death which is sin.

THE SERPENT AND THE CROSS. John 3:14-21. JOHN 3:14. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” This refers back to an incident during the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel (cf. Numbers 21:4-9), and forward to the crucifixion. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Preparation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 17, 2023

A sacrificial insight framed by plots against Jesus.

THE PREPARATION. Mark 14:1-11. 1. The Plot to Kill Jesus (Mark 14:1-2). The first thing that we notice as we enter into this passage is that it was the LORD who was setting the timetable for Jesus’ death. It was "the feast of the PASSOVER, and of Unleavened Bread” (MARK 14:1a). In other ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Denial By Peter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2023

Watch and pray, lest you fall into temptation. Mark 14 verse 38.

THE DENIAL BY PETER. Mark 14:27-72. In the Bible, the weakness of God’s servants is held aloft as an example for all to see. The account of Peter’s denial of Jesus is a humbling reminder that even the best of men is vulnerable to the wiles of the devil, if he allows himself to be caught off ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27-72

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Am The Good Shepherd.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2022

It is perfectly clear that Jesus lay down His life voluntarily.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. John 10:11-21. In John 10 Jesus effectively castigated the Pharisees for their failures as the spiritual shepherds of Israel. The image was familiar in a pastoral society, and echoed the Old Testament (e.g. Jeremiah 23:1-4). JOHN 10:11. In the fourth “I am” saying of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reconciliation, And Grace To Follow.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 3, 2022

Our reconciliation with God is made possible by the grace of God through the work of Christ. Having been reconciled, we are made the righteousness of God in Him. We are enabled, by the same grace of God, to follow God in the way of righteousness.

RECONCILIATION, AND GRACE TO FOLLOW. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. As an ambassador for Christ, Paul was pleading with the Corinthians - on behalf of Christ - that they go on being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may feel that this is unnecessary: if we are ‘called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold Your King.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 11, 2022

The humiliation of Jesus, the frustration of Pilate, and the treason of the Jewish priesthood.

BEHOLD YOUR KING. John 19:1-16. The nineteenth chapter of John’s Gospel opens in the midst of the ridiculous drama of Pilate’s darting back and forth between the hypocritical Jewish leadership on the doorstep, who refused to come into the judgment hall of the palace ‘lest they be defiled and ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Immanuel: With Us The God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 16, 2023

A sign refused - a sign offered nonetheless.

IMMANUEL: WITH US THE GOD. Isaiah 7:10-14. The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in Jerusalem. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Relentless Rhythms Of Time.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 10, 2024

A time for everything.

THE RELENTLESS RHYTHMS OF TIME. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13. ‘Turn, turn, turn’ is the refrain of the old pop song based upon these verses. However, time is not circular, but linear: it is more like a river relentlessly, but always, running downstream. It is our subjective experience of time that gives ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational