Sermons on B Proper 5:

Create In Me A Clean Heart.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 5, 2022

A faithful confession of sin.

CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART. Psalm 51:1-10. In this solemn Psalm of repentance, we dive in (headfirst, as it were) with a plea for mercy. The verbs “have mercy… blot out… wash me… cleanse me” (Psalm 51:1-2) all appear to be in the imperative: but they are in fact plaintive pleas based in the fact ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Faithful Comforted.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 6, 2022

The hand of the LORD shall be known to His servants.

THE FAITHFUL COMFORTED. Isaiah 66:10-14. This short passage was originally addressed to the faithful remnant within Israel, a nation within a nation if you will, a nation as it were ‘born in a day’ (cf. Isaiah 66:8). ISAIAH 66:10. These were the faithful who kept hope alive, even through ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 66:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reaching The Raised Bar 5: Teaching To Observe Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jul 16, 2009

Dealing with the part of our mission statement that says we are working to authentic faith

Text: Matthew 28:20, Title: RRB 5: Teaching To Observe, Date/Place: NRBC, 7/19/09, AM Opening illustration: “Jesus did not say, ‘Teach them all my commandments.’ He said, ‘Teach them to observe…’ You can teach a parrot all of Jesus’ commands. But you cannot teach a parrot to observe them. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:20

Denomination: Baptist

The Wilderness And The Cave.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

We are never alone.

THE WILDERNESS AND THE CAVE. 1 Kings 19:1-15a. I. The Wilderness of Dissent (1 Kings 19:1-8). It is hard when we stand out in the crowd, but Christians are different. The Bible names us a ‘peculiar people’ - called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). Privileges carry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-15

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

A Call To Draw Near

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 3, 2015

The finished work of Jesus gives us confident access to God.

A CALL TO DRAW NEAR. Hebrews 10:11-25. Broadly speaking, this passage represents the end of the argument for the pre-eminence of Jesus’ priesthood, and the beginning of some practical applications. In expounding the sympathetic priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews 4:14-16), the writer has already ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lesson 1: The Existence And Nature Of God Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jun 25, 2025

This lesson begins exploring the existence and nature of God.

Introduction: The Question Behind Every Question The Bible opens with a bold and beautiful claim: “In the beginning, God…” (Genesis 1:1). There is no attempt to prove His existence — it is assumed, asserted, and revealed. For ancient readers, this was no surprise. In the ancient world, belief in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:27-28

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Song Of Moses And Miriam.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2023

Who is like thee, O LORD, among the gods?

THE SONG OF MOSES AND MIRIAM. Exodus 15:1-11, Exodus 15:20-21. EXODUS 15:1. The song of Moses and the congregation begins with the acclamation that “the LORD hath triumphed gloriously.” It is a celebration of the children of Israel’s crossing of the Red Sea, and the LORD’s victory over the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 15:1-11, Exodus 15:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lesson In Patience.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 8, 2023

Jacob the trickster duped by his uncle. The love of Jacob for Rachel perseveres and prevails. God at work behind the scenes.

A LESSON IN PATIENCE. Genesis 29:15-28. Jacob had been on the run from his twin brother Esau. Jacob, being the younger twin, had duped his elder sibling of both his inheritance and his blessing. Esau’s understandable anger was beginning to look dangerous, so their mother Rebekah devised a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Passion According To John.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2022

Good Friday.

THE PASSION ACCORDING TO JOHN. John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42. 1). THE ARREST OF JESUS. John 18:1-14. JOHN 18:1-3. After the Passover meal, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the Upper Room discourse, and Jesus’ great high priestly prayer, Jesus led His disciples over the brook Kidron to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-40, John 19:1-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Worship And Word

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 8, 2014

Worship in context: words of warning

SINGING PRAISE, AND LISTENING TO THE WORD. Psalm 95. In days gone by not everybody who gathered in our churches could read, so it was useful to learn things by rote. So when the praise-leader sang “O Come let us sing unto the LORD” (Psalm 95:1), the congregation knew to join in the singing of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus The Exegesis Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

God's power at work in Creation; the Light of the World: the world rejects, believers accept God's Word. The mystery of the incarnation: Jesus is the exegesis of God!

JESUS THE EXEGESIS OF GOD. John 1:1-18. One of the names of the Lord Jesus Christ is "The Word." 1. THE WORD WAS GOD’S POWER AT WORK IN CREATION (John 1:1-3). (i) In the beginning was the Word. This compares with the Creation account (Genesis 1:1-3). When God spoke the Word, all ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

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

Training And Teamwork

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 6, 2018

Paul's fear was not that he would lose his salvation, but that he might be disqualified from his team!

TRAINING AND TEAMWORK. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. The Apostle Paul, as every good minister of Christ, was willing to become “all things to all men” (1 Corinthians 9:22), that they might be SAVED by Christ. Now Paul did all this for the gospel. It was an unselfish act, but would have its reward in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

Different denominations have different traditions about what the elders' job description should be. But there shouldn't be differing traditions. Peter makes it very clear.

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1