Sermons on B Proper 29:

The War Against Sin

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2014

'Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin' (Hebrews 12:4).

THE WAR AGAINST SIN. Matthew 15:10-20. The scribes and Pharisees brought an accusation to Jesus concerning His disciples (Matthew 15:2). Jesus exposed their hypocrisy with a counter-question (Matthew 15:3), a counter-argument (Matthew 15:4-6), and a counter accusation (Matthew 15:7-9). This ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20, Hebrews 12:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Abraham

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 10, 2013

Staking a claim in the land of Canaan.

THE CALL OF ABRAHAM. Genesis 12:1-9. Our history begins in Ur of the Chaldees, in what is now Southern Iraq, a predominantly pagan city of about 250,000 people, with a central temple to the moon god Sin. Here Abram’s father Terah was thought to have been a craftsman within the moon cult. At a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Garland Of Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 12, 2013

I have finished the course, declares Paul to Timothy. You run your course as I have run mine. This applies not only to Timothy, but to every one of us.

A GARLAND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Timothy 4:16-18. Against a background of false teachers, and hypocritical hearers who will not endure sound teaching, Paul exhorted Timothy to urgently preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2). The young minister was to do this both when it seemed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Feeding Of The 5000

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2013

Bringing food to a hungry world.

THE FEEDING OF THE 5000. Matthew 14:13-21. 1. The creativity of feeding over 5000 hungry mouths. The feeding of the 5000 is recorded in all four Gospels. Like the Creation, it is a significant historical event. Both events are a demonstration of the Divine prerogative. In the beginning, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Storms Of Life

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2013

Faith is renewed day by day in our experience of the storms of life.

THE STORMS OF LIFE. Matthew 14:22-33. 1. The storms of life. Sometimes the storms of life seem to overtake us, even when we are being obedient. Jesus told the disciples to get into a ship and go to the other side of the lake (Matthew 14:22), but we see the ship in the midst of the sea tossed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Resurrection Life

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

The key to Christian living is found in our union with Christ, both in His death and in His resurrection.

THE RESURRECTION LIFE. Romans 6:1-14. It is decidedly unpleasant when anybody is subjected to false accusations and malicious rumours. Yet this was the experience of Jesus in Holy Week, and is the common lot of all those who uphold the mystery of holiness. The Apostle Paul was aware that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"All In A Day’s Work”

Contributed by David Roth on Oct 5, 2020

In a parable of vineyard workers, Christ shows that all who receive from Him, and all that is received from Him, is totally gift. It is not earned. As Christians we rejoice and are thankful that we are in His vineyard, and that His continues to call others to His vineyard to labor with us.

Matthew 20:1-16 J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14) “All in a day’s work” There was a cobbler who lived in a small town. He was good at making shoes, and made them for all the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Lutheran

A View From The House Of The Potter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 7, 2016

The surprise here is that the intention of God can be resisted, and if (we) turn He speaks of changing His mind.

A VIEW FROM THE POTTER'S HOUSE. Jeremiah 18:1-11. On one occasion I was taken to a pottery museum, where one could purchase wares and also see them being made. I had made one or two small pottery items while at school (one of which remained on my mother’s back doorstep long after I had left ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Exhortation To Importunity In Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 15, 2016

An unjust judge, an importunate widow - and the patience of God.

AN EXHORTATION TO IMPORTUNITY IN PRAYER. Luke 18:1-8. The Pharisees demanded of Jesus when the kingdom of God should come. Jesus’ unexpected response was that it is here already (Luke 17:20-21)! Jesus then turned to His disciples to advise them concerning what He called ‘the days of the Son of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Goes Forth

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 25, 2017

A metaphor from God's dealings in Creation to describe God's dealings with His Word.

THE WORD GOES FORTH. Isaiah 55:10-13. I was in India, alone in my room, with the door shut. I read Isaiah 55:10-11. There God was saying, “My Word shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish that which I please, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” What an encouragement, I ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Open Letter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 20, 2019

No longer a slave.

AN OPEN LETTER. PHILEMON 1:1-21. Onesimus was a slave who had escaped from his Christian master, Philemon. Yet in a beautiful irony, having not ‘made it’ alone in the big city, he found himself at last brought under the direct personal influence of “Paul the prisoner” (Philemon 1:1). Many a ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Five Foolish Virgins Weren’t Ready To Meet Their Maker, Are You?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 27, 2014

We are used to living our lives according to deadlines, but are you prepared to meet the mother of all deadlines that Jesus describes in the Gospel here for us today; the parable of the wise and foolish virgins? Read on, and be surprised.

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Prayer: In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, let these words speak for you, bless each and every one of us Father, in the name of Jesus, Amen. Summary: We are used to living our lives ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Episcopal

Wrestling In Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 30, 2014

A brief outline on which to build a prayer-night sermon.

WRESTLING IN PRAYER. Genesis 32:24-29. Jacob's wrestling, whilst factual and historical, is nevertheless a metaphor for prayer. 1. The place name, Jabbok, means pouring out, or emptying. This reminds me of the self-emptying of Christ (cf. Philippians 2:7-8). It also reminds me of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:24-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Make The Right Choice

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Aug 27, 2002

Pentecost 14(B) - AUGUST 25, 2002 - Believers make the right choice when they forsake false gods and follow the true God.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE JOSHUA 24:1,2a;14-18 AUGUST 25, 2002 1Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. 2Joshua said to all the people, "This is what the LORD, the God of ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Reflection B.3 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Pestilence Is One Of God’s ‘standard’ Ways Of Judging

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

We are asking if God might be behind coronavirus. Is sending a plague the kind of thing God might do? Yes, it is.

Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels – Habakkuk 3:5, speaking of God We’re looking at three questions. Is coronavirus a judgement from God? Are we living in end times? And, what does the Bible say about COVID-19? These are hard questions! Today I will think about ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:5

Denomination: Baptist