Sermons on B Thanksgiving:

Rich And Poor In The Church Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

There are no 'untouchables' with God!

RICH AND POOR IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. James 2:1-17. James 2:1. The Greek of this section of the letter of James begins somewhat abruptly: “My brethren, not with partialities!” The impact of the whole sentence is: “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When Faith Comes From Within

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 15, 2018

The obverse side of the previous conversation: what comes out of the mouth when the heart is full of faith.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAITH COMES FROM WITHIN. Mark 7:24-37. In the earlier part of this chapter Jesus had disputed with some Scribes and Pharisees about ritual and tradition; and had taught those who would hear that defilement does not come from without, but from within (Mark 7:1-23). It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Allure Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2018

Wisdom's plaintive plea. The danger of refusal. A promise to those who will hear.

THE ALLURE OF WISDOM. Proverbs 1:20-33. One day I was out shopping on one of the pedestrianised streets of Norwich, England, when a sudden commotion stopped me in my tracks. The City Crier’s vigorous ringing of his hand-bell, and his cry of ‘Oh Yay! Oh Yay!’ seemed to be right in my ear, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trust Of A Little Child

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2018

Of such is the kingdom of God.

THE TRUST OF A LITTLE CHILD. Mark 10:13-16. In one of our previous readings, Jesus set a little child in the midst of His disciples (Mark 9:36). Now such children, in the ancient world, had no rights: yet Jesus was happy to scoop such a one up into His holy arms and teach. We noticed then ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Feeding Five Thousand And Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 22, 2018

Hunger in the wilderness and wind at sea BOTH can kill: but the Rescuer comes.

A. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000. John 6:1-15. It was now nearly a year since Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Passover was fast approaching (John 6:4). Jesus and His disciples had tried to withdraw from the throng in Galilee, and sought some rest and relaxation in the Golan Heights: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharp Words Spoken By Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2018

All things are possible with God, but those who set their hearts on riches will be sadly disappointed.

SHARP WORDS SPOKEN BY LOVE. Mark 10:17-31. The first three Gospels all report Jesus’ encounter with the character who has become known by the composite name of ‘the rich young ruler’. They all mention that he was ‘rich’ (as in Mark 10:22), but only Matthew mentions that he was ‘young’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Towards A New Creation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2018

Longing for home.

TOWARDS A NEW CREATION. 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. Having spoken of the impermanence of the ‘tent’ of this body, and the ‘eternity’ of our dwelling in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:1), the Apostle Paul began to mix his metaphors, yearning to be ‘clothed upon’ with ‘our habitation which is from ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17

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 Embrace Of Righteousness And Peace.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 8, 2023

“Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).

THE EMBRACE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE. Psalm 85:1-2, Psalm 85:8-13. In Psalm 85 we have first a prayer (Psalm 85:1-7), then what has been termed “an answer of peace” (Psalm 85:8-13). The Prayer begins, not with personal desires, but by recalling to mind God’s past favours (Psalm 85:1-2). We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-2, Psalm 85:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Law Of Love And The Body Of Christ.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 15, 2023

Christian life and love.

THE LAW OF LOVE AND THE BODY OF CHRIST. Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2. All of our relationships within the body of Christ must be governed by the Christian law of love (cf. Ephesians 4:2). We are to “walk in love” (EPHESIANS 5:2). One of the practical reasons given for “putting away the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Israel Exalted.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 17, 2024

Re-establishing the Davidic dynasty through Jesus.

ISRAEL EXALTED. Ezekiel 17:22-24. The word of the LORD came ‘expressly’ to the priest Ezekiel in ‘the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity’ (cf. Ezekiel 1:2-3). Our present chapter is a ‘riddle,’ or an allegory: ‘a parable unto the house of Israel’ (EZEKIEL 17:2). It speaks of two eagles: ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For The King.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 23, 2024

The LORD accept thy burnt sacrifice. Psalm 20.3.

A PRAYER FOR THE KING. Psalm 20:1-9. Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John and instructed them to ‘watch’ with Him (cf. Matthew 26:38), and to ‘watch and pray’ (cf. Matthew 26:41). I wonder what prayers they might have made on His behalf if their sleepy heads could have stayed awake long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Is On Our Side.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 25, 2024

'This I know; for God is for me' (cf. Psalm 56:9).

WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 1 Samuel 17:32-49. Things had reached an impasse in the territorial struggles between the invading Philistines and Israel. The valley of Elah (cf. 1 Samuel 17:2) was in the south of Israel, and the two armies were set in battle array facing one another, but neither side ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of Jonathan And The Resentment Of Saul.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2024

Jonathan confirmed the kingship of David by clothing him in the regalia of the Crown Prince; whereas Saul confirmed the kingship of David by putting him in the forefront of the battle.

THE LOVE OF JONATHAN AND THE RESENTMENT OF SAUL. 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16. It was evidently quite difficult for Saul to recognise in the giant slayer the same young man who had been serving at court as his own personal music therapist (1 SAMUEL 17:57-58; cf. 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational