Sermons on B Proper 29:

Letters Of Recommendation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 27, 2013

Ministers are just postmen, delivering a message of instruction from God... What kind of letters of Christ are we?

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION. 2 Corinthians 3:1-6. Amongst the many difficulties which the Apostle Paul faced in relation to the church which he had founded in Corinth was the existence of self-styled super-apostles who were nothing but peddlers, “making gain by corrupting the word of God” (2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bearing Up

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 1, 2014

The sufferings of Jesus were unique in that He suffered once for all, the just for the unjust. But we are still sometimes called to bear up and endure grief, suffering unjustly. Our model was laid down in the patient pattern of His sufferings.

BEARING UP. 1 Peter 2:19-25. The Apostle Peter uses his address to domestic servants (1 Peter 2:18) to illustrate the calling of all Christians to share in the sufferings of Christ. “For this is grace,” he quite literally says (1 Peter 2:19): this is acceptable; this is thankworthy - if out of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Healing Of A Paralysed Man

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

Bringing others to Christ; forgiveness; healing the whole person.

THE HEALING OF A PARALYSED MAN. Mark 2:1-12. 1. A SHARED FAITH. We have before us a remarkable account of faith, forgiveness, and healing. Hearing of Jesus, a paralysed man desired to see Him, with a view to seeking His healing touch. Four caring, believing friends bore the paralysed man to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Royal Nativity: The Inbreaking Of The Holy.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 6, 2013

The coming of the promised King.

A ROYAL NATIVITY: THE IN-BREAKING OF THE HOLY. Luke 2:1-20. 1. A ROYAL NATIVITY (Luke 2:1-7). When Jacob blessed his sons, he prophesied that the sceptre would not pass from Judah “UNTIL He comes whose right it is” (Genesis 49:10). Even the hireling prophet Balaam recognised that a king was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Nations Shall Serve Him

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 6, 2013

As surely as the ordinances of sun, moon and stars remain, there will be a king to sit upon the throne of David. That king is Jesus.

ALL NATIONS SHALL SERVE HIM. Psalm 72:1-7; Psalm 72:10-14. The name of Solomon is associated with Psalm 72, and it is quite possible that this sacred song was premiered on the occasion of his coronation. Yet it is evident that there were limitations to Solomon’s reign, and the monarchy fell into ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 72:1-7, Psalm 72:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Lifted Up On The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 17, 2013

The globalisation of the Gospel.

JESUS LIFTED UP ON THE CROSS. John 12:20-36. When Jesus made His last entry into Jerusalem prior to His crucifixion He was met, we are told, by an excited crowd waving palm branches and shouting “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13). John makes the sober comment that ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort Ye

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 19, 2013

Comfort in the certainty of God's Word.

COMFORT YE… Isaiah 40:1-11. We have before us a passage which may well be very familiar to us: yet please do not allow its very familiarity to breed contempt. This is a little Gospel, a sort of proto-Gospel written by the prophet many years before the event. Our task is to ask Isaiah concerning ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A City Not Forsaken

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 30, 2014

Importunity "UNTIL..."

A CITY NOT FORSAKEN. Isaiah 62:6-12. I reside just outside the walls of a quaint old English city - so quaint, that there is still a civil servant who holds the office of City-crier. This is a man with a bell and a loud booming bellowing voice, who makes public announcements in public places. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:6-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Scourge Of Small Cords

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 14, 2015

The righteous indignation of Messiah at the desecration of the Court of the Gentiles.

A SCOURGE OF SMALL CORDS. John 2:13-22. It was Passover, and the city of Jerusalem was packed with pilgrims who had gathered to commemorate Israel’s deliverance out of slavery in Egypt. Not only was it a solemn religious celebration, but also a great national statement that defied all who would ...read more

Scripture: John 2:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Teach Me Your Stautes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 9, 2018

How to keep our ways pure.

TEACH ME YOUR STATUTES. Psalm 119:9-16. The question is posed: “How shall a young man keep His way pure?” (Psalm 119:9a). Before we look at the answer, we might consider who this young man is? The Psalmist seems to be putting himself, and us, in the position of the son (i.e. student) in Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Doers, Not Hearers Only.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2024

Practical implications of our new birth.

DOERS, NOT HEARERS ONLY. James 1:22-27. We must be careful that we are “doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving our own selves” (James 1:22). Having heard and received, we must then put the word into action in our lives. Good works do not make us Christians, but Christians will do good ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Must Be Born Again. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 5, 2024

The need for faith, the need for rebirth.

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. John 3:1-17. Nicodemus was a member of the strictest sect of the Jews: the Pharisees. No doubt he sought to keep all the man-made rules of his religion, as well as the law of God which was given to Moses. Nicodemus was a religious man; an upright man; a leader; a teacher; ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Back To Bible Living Series

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Sep 15, 2022

Surveys show that 94% of Americans own a Bible; 90% of us believe it still applies today—yet only half of us read it weekly (including church), and only 29% read it weekly outside of church. There is a disconnect here.

Opening illustration: Back to school! How about “Back to the Bible” Surveys show that 94% of Americans own a Bible; 90% of us believe it still applies today—yet only half of us read it weekly (including church), and only 29% read it weekly outside of church. There is a disconnect here. Most ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:48

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Be Anxious About The Threats Of Man Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 1, 2007

1) A Disciple Emulates His Master and 2) Does not Fear the World but have confidence in a) Vindication by God b) Veneration of God c) Valuation by God

If you haven’t noticed, we are in the swing of the “Holiday” season. That’s right: not Advent or Christmas but the Holiday Season. Retailers and cultural planners are so desperate for increased sales and attendance that the day after Halloween, began with the “Holiday” advertising. The word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-31

Denomination: Other

Speech Seasoned With Salt

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on May 18, 2018

Words have power, and proper use of that power requires wisdom. We need to recognise the positive uses of the power of speech, and seek divine direction for exercising wisdom in what we say.

SPEECH SEASONED WITH SALT Study Text: Colossians 4: 6 Introduction: - Words have power, and proper use of that power requires wisdom. We need to recognise the positive uses of the power of speech, and seek divine direction for exercising wisdom in what we say. - In the words of Solomon: “The power ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal