Sermons on C Epiphany 8:

Ascension Day.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2024

Jesus was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

ASCENSION DAY. Mark 16:14-20. Jesus appeared to the eleven, and “upbraided them with their UNBELIEF” because they “BELIEVED NOT” them which had seen Him after He was risen (Mark 16:14; cf. Luke 24:36-43). The passage fast-forwards to the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; cf. Matthew 28:19; ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glories Of The Messiah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2024

This is a song about love: but principally about the love of Christ and the Church (cf. Ephesians 5:32).

THE GLORIES OF THE MESSIAH. Psalm 45:1-6. The Psalmist wrote of things beyond his natural knowledge. As a prophet, he sought diligently and inquired after the grace that was to come (1 Peter 1:10). Then he spoke and wrote as the Spirit of God led him (2 Peter 1:21). I). Psalm 45:1-2. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Certainty Of God's Witness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 20, 2024

A faith that overcomes.

THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S WITNESS. 1 John 5:4-12. It is interesting to note that 1 JOHN 5:4 begins “all that is born of God” overcomes the world. On just this one occasion, this is written in the neuter. The deeds of faith performed by born-again people are just as much begotten of God as the ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:4-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A High Priest Of Good Things To Come.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 18, 2024

"But Christ..." (Hebrews 9:11).

A HIGH PRIEST OF GOOD THINGS TO COME. Hebrews 9:11-15. This short passage is the high point of the writer’s comparison between the old covenant and the new. In an argument from the lesser to the greater, the chapter commences with a demonstration of the limitations of the access to God allowed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pentecost.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2024

Babel reversed; God’s purposes restored.

PENTECOST. Acts 2:1-11. There is a time and a place for everything - or so the old folks used to say. There was a time for Christmas, and a time for Easter. There was a time for Ascension - and now, a time for Pentecost. The Greek reads, “in the filling-in of the Day of Pentecost” they were all ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Second Chance For The Human Race

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 22, 2016

Adam, son of God, failed in the Garden. Israel, son of God, rebelled in the wilderness. Jesus the Son of God, on behalf of us all, won the battle against temptation in the wilderness. Believers in Jesus are also called sons of God, so how must we live?

A SECOND CHANCE FOR THE HUMAN RACE. Luke 4:1-13. Man was always going to get a second chance after the Fall of Adam. God made a promise concerning the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15), and ‘that seed was Christ’ (cf. Galatians 3:16; Galatians 3:29). We see in the temptation of Jesus a new Adam ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Two Advents

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 27, 2018

The uncompromising preaching of John. Bearing fruit that proves our repentance. Practical moral guidance. Redirecting Messianic expectations.

THE TWO ADVENTS. Luke 3:7-18. In the fullness of the times (cf. Galatians 4:4), John came ‘preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins’ (Luke 3:1-3). Being 30 years old, you might expect him to be starting his priesthood in the Temple in Jerusalem (cf. Numbers 4:3), but God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:7-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God For All

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Jan 1, 2018

Jesus was born into a Jewish family as God's chosen Messiah for the Jews. The feast of the Epiphany when we celebrate to revealing of Jesus to the gentiles clearly shows that Jesus was born for everyone and is reaching out to YOU.

God for ALL Matt 2:1-12 Today we have the readings for the feast of the Epiphany and from the early days of the Church, this feast has been considered in some ways more important than Christmas. Epiphany recalls the arrival of the magi to Bethlehem in search of the King of the Jews and 'epiphany' ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

The Tender Mercy Of A Jealous God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 3, 2019

Let us pray for the whole state of the church of Christ.

THE TENDER MERCY OF A JEALOUS GOD. Psalm 79:1-9. Despite what our first impression may have been, this is not a general lament about all the ills of the world but rather a particular lament about something afflicting the people of God. And even then, it is not just about ‘us’ but more so ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 79:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Act Of Love Of A Forgiven Woman, And The Inclusivity Of Jesus' Ministry.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 23, 2016

Nurturing our relationship with Jesus is an essential part of our Christian formation.

1. A FORGIVEN WOMAN’S ACT OF LOVE. Luke 7:36-50. This incident ties in with two earlier episodes, illustrating Jesus’ conquest over sickness (Luke 7:1-10), death (Luke 7:11-17) - and now sin. The unnamed woman is identified as “a sinner” (Luke 7:37; Luke 7:39; Luke 7:47). This tells us nothing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Great Invitation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 22, 2024

An evangelistic appeal.

THE GREAT INVITATION. Isaiah 55:6-11. ISAIAH 55:6. We are exhorted to seek the LORD, while He may be found. If we seek Him with all our heart, and all our soul, we will find Him. Then He will rain righteousness upon us, making us righteous through the Lord Jesus Christ. He will bring life to the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pleading

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 17, 2019

We have left a God-shape hole in our lives and try to fill it with other things.

A PLEADING. Jeremiah 2:4-13. In this passage the LORD yet again makes His complaint against the whole house of Israel (Jeremiah 2:4). As we read it, we begin to realise that this is also His indictment against the whole of mankind, and against the visible Church in particular. “What ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:4-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For Protection.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2025

"Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man" (Psalm 140:1a).

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION. Psalm 140:1-9. This is a Psalm of David, no doubt from the time when he was pursued by his enemies in the wilderness. The Psalm switches between singular foes: pointing perhaps particularly to king Saul and his three thousand men at arms; and Doeg and the Ziphites, who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 140:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hymn To The Redeemer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 10, 2023

Worship is not only a duty for the congregation, but also of the individual Christian.

A HYMN TO THE REDEEMER. Psalm 149:1-9. PSALM 149:1. The exhortation to “Praise ye the LORD” is especially addressed to “saints” = those loved by God with His covenant love. All of God’s people are saints, and we are envisaged as met together in congregation, singing His praise. It is only those ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 149:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Riches Of His Grace.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 22, 2024

A declaration of the LORD’s gracious intention toward us.

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE. Numbers 6:22-27. Jews and Christians alike are familiar with the so-called Aaronic blessing of NUMBERS 6:24-26. Yet this blessing is not in the power of the priest to accomplish. Rather, the priest or minister who calls down this blessing on the people is making a ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational