Sermons on B Proper 29:

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

Take It To The Lord In Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 3, 2025

Even our friends might let us down, but God never will.

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. Psalm 55:16-22. PSALM 55:16. King David was no stranger to ‘friends’ letting him down, but his bold assertion in the face of betrayal was: “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” The God upon whom he calls is the true and living God, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captivity And Restoration Of Manasseh.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 4, 2025

This is an example of the amazing grace of God towards one who was a very ‘chief’ of sinners (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15).

THE CAPTIVITY AND RESTORATION OF MANASSEH. 2 Chronicles 33:9-13. Bad king Manasseh was a son of good king Hezekiah, but his own style of leadership is here described as “leading Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do evil more than the heathen” (2 CHRONICLES 33:9). ‘Moreover,’ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Baptism And Anointing Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 6, 2023

It is good to follow the crowds who listen to the Gospel, but it is better to follow the Jesus whom we preach!

THE BAPTISM AND ANOINTING OF JESUS. Mark 1:4-11. MARK 1:4. John preached the “baptism of repentance.” Baptism is a dipping of the physical body into water. The baptism administered by John signified a turning away from sin and a turning unto God. Every wicked act, every unguarded word, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beginning Of Jesus' Ministry.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 7, 2023

The Baptism, Temptation, and Preaching of Jesus.

THE BEGINNING OF JESUS’ MINISTRY. Mark 1:9-15. MARK 1:9-11. The Baptism of Jesus. Jesus came to John to be baptised in the River Jordan. Jesus did not have any personal sin to repent of, but His washing with water may have signified the ritual washing of a priest when he is first ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Secret Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2025

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; that they may know His covenant (Psalm 25:14).

THE SECRET OF THE LORD. Psalm 25:14-22. “The secret of the LORD” (PSALM 25:14a). This speaks of the friendship, the intimate fellowship that the believer has with the LORD. It is as if we were seated upon our couch ‘in heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ (cf. Ephesians 2:6), listening to Him tell ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Appeal For Deliverance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2025

The prayer of a soul in distress.

AN APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE. Psalm 143:1-12. Who are we going to turn to in a time of distress? For the believer, it can only be the LORD. We know that the LORD has helped us hitherto (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12), and that He is ‘a very present help in time of trouble’ (cf. Psalm 46:1). PSALM 143:1. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Before God In The World.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 25, 2025

Honour and the Fear of God.

LIVING BEFORE GOD IN THE WORLD. 1 Peter 2:11-17. Peter addresses his readers as “Beloved,” and encourages us “as strangers and pilgrims” to “abstain from fleshly lusts (or desires) which war against the soul” (1 PETER 2:11). The Apostle implores us to keep our conduct “honest” amongst the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Feast Of Weeks.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2025

When I was a small boy growing up in England, Whit (or 'White') Sunday was a time when the girls put on new Summer frocks, and the boy wore a new suit. I knew little about Pentecost, but nothing at all about the Feast of Weeks.

THE FEAST OF WEEKS. Deuteronomy 16:9-12. At first glance the Feast of Weeks appears to be a purely agricultural festival (DEUTERONOMY 16:9-10), an offering of firstfruits to the LORD (cf. Exodus 23:16a; Exodus 34:22a). The timing of the Feast of Weeks is seven weeks and a day (in other words ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Boast In God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 22, 2025

These verses form the basis for an appeal to God for deliverance.

OUR BOAST IN GOD. Psalm 44:1-8. It is well if we base our appeals and cries for help to God not upon ourselves (our own good name, what we imagine we have achieved, and what we have done or not done); but rather upon His good name (PSALM 44:5; PSALM 44:8), what He has done in the past (cf. 1 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 44:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust In The Midst Of Trial.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 2, 2025

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

TRUST IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL. Psalm 141:1-8. This is a confident cry for help in the midst of tribulations. It is addressed initially to “YHWH,” our covenant Lord (PSALM 141:1). Then later the Psalmist addresses “YHWH Adonai” - emphasising both our personal relationship with Him, and His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 141:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moses' Prayer And The People's Complaining.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 14, 2025

'These things are written for our admonition' (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11).

MOSES’ PRAYER AND THE PEOPLE’S COMPLAINING. Numbers 10:35-36, Numbers 11:1-3. 1. Moses’ prayer (NUMBERS 10:35-36) encourages us to begin and end every day, every journey, every project and every ministry with prayer. Our attitude should be one of prayerfulness throughout. When he says, “Rise ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 10:35-36, Numbers 11:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time To Favour Zion.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2025

Keep on praying.

THE TIME TO FAVOUR ZION. Psalm 102:12-17. Man in his affliction may feel that his days are racing away from him (cf. Psalm 102:11). Yet, before our legitimate prayer (cf. Psalm 102:1) disintegrates into despair, it is well to remind ourselves that “thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Testimony Of A Preacher Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 6, 2025

Acts 21:37-22:29 shows us Paul’s courage to speak out for Jesus.

Introduction Have you ever shared your testimony of how you came to faith in Jesus with another person? A 2022 Lifeway Research study found that 53% of professing Christians shared their faith in the past 6 months (see ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed