Sermons on Christopher Columbus:

An Honest Word About A Horrific Place Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 14, 2018

Most people believe in existence beyond the grave, with the majority assuming everyone will eventually wind up in heaven, or some place of euphoric bliss. Heaven is reserved for the saved, but hell will be a reality for those apart from Christ.

An Honest Word about a Horrific Place Mark 9: 42-50 As I studied this passage, I was reminded of the common attitude that permeates modern society. We live in an age when most believe that truth is relative, rather than absolute. Most believe in existence beyond the grave, with the majority ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-50

Denomination: Baptist

The First Palm Sunday

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 18, 2018

John's is the only Gospel to tell us about the palm branches.

THE FIRST PALM SUNDAY. John 12:12-19. First, in this short passage, we see the sense of expectation of the people of God (John 12:12). We read that “much people” who were come to the feast, “heard” that Jesus was coming to the City. And hearing, they acted on it. It is good to “hear” the ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Redemption: Free From Guilt Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 18, 2018

Redemption speaks of being delivered from bondage through the payment of another. Christ provided our redemption, purchasing it with His blood. We have been removed from the slave market, never to return!

Redemption: Free from Guilt Ephesians 1:7 As I read publications, articles, and blogs today, many caution preachers and pastors in regard to using particular theological terms. These writers warn of a disconnect between the world around us and those within the church. The church has long used ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Debate About Divorce (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 21, 2018

Divorce is a sensitive issue that has touched a majority of lives, either directly or indirectly. With so many people affected by this issue, we need to consider what the Bible has to say and look at if from a biblical perspective.

The Debate about Divorce (Part 1) Mark 10: 1-12 Our text today deals with an issue that has caused debate, division, and devastation for centuries. It is a sensitive issue that has affected a large majority of people, either directly or indirectly. I am well aware of the hurt and devastation ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Propitiation: Wrath Appeased Series

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 25, 2018

Propitiation is a word that most may be unfamiliar with, but every believer needs to understand and embrace its significance. Christ Jesus provided the sacrifice, the payment to appease the wrath of God for sin - our propitiation.

Propitiation: Wrath Appeased 1 John 2:2 As we continue our series: Understanding Christianese, I want to consider one of the most endearing and beautiful words in the English language – propitiation. Webster defines propitiation as “an atoning sacrifice.” The word propitiate is defined as “to gain ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Unchained Gospel

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 24, 2013

Cutting a straight furrow with the Word of God and avoiding catastrophe.

AN UNCHAINED GOSPEL. 2 Timothy 2:8-15. I. SALVATION WITH ETERNAL GLORY (2 Timothy 2:8-10). Paul asks Timothy to “remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead’ (2 Timothy 2:8). Here in the Greek of 2 Timothy 2:8 the resurrection is mentioned BEFORE the Lord’s nativity into the house of David. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Envoy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 26, 2013

The commission of John was to prepare the way for Jesus, not to seek honour for himself. The message of the gospel is not about us, it is about Jesus!

THE ENVOY. John 1:6-8. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” John the Evangelist has introduced the Word of God ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Light And Faith

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 26, 2013

Falling into line with the will of God in our lives.

LIGHT AND FAITH. John 1:9-13. Here in the midst of paragraph two of John’s Gospel we are being given a revision lesson on the Light of the world, and catch our first glimpse of one of the Evangelist’s great themes. John has just made his first intimation of the testimony of his namesake, but ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Incarnation Of The Word.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 26, 2013

When we recognise Jesus for who He is, we also see something of the glory of God.

THE INCARNATION OF THE WORD. John 1:14-18. 1. THE WORD BECAME FLESH. Having established the connection between faith and being “born again” (John 1:12-13), the Apostle John now explains how that has been made possible. It took nothing less than the incarnation of God Himself (John 1:1). We can ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cowboys Versus Farmers?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 28, 2013

It is our attitude, not our sacrifices, that reflects the nature of the man within.

COWBOYS VERSUS FARMERS? Genesis 4:1-8. The acceptance of Abel’s offering as opposed to Cain’s is often explained in terms of THE NATURE OF THE SACRIFICE. We are reminded that “almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood, there is no remission” (Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Voice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 28, 2013

John the Baptist provides a prime example of a preacher's humility: pointing away from himself to Jesus: not seeking to add followers to His own fold, but to Christ, the Son of God.

THE VOICE. John 1:19-28. The prologue to John’s Gospel gives an account of how Eternity broke into time (John 1:1; John 1:14): yet Time encroaches on the very timelessness of the account in the person of “a man sent from God, whose name was John” (John 1:6). This John is not to be confused with ...read more

Scripture: John 1:19-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold The Lamb Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 28, 2013

What might John the Baptist's hearers have understood by his declaration: "Behold the Lamb of God"?

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD. John 1:29-37. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus and said to the crowds around him, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” The next day he repeated to two of his own disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” What did John the Baptist mean when he called ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Centrality Of Scripture

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 29, 2013

What Scripture is, who is its Author, and what it is for.

THE CENTRALITY OF SCRIPTURE. 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 1. Three times Paul addresses Timothy with an emphatic “you therefore" (2 Timothy 2:1) or “but you” (2 Timothy 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:14). In the fist instance, this sets Timothy alongside those who refreshed Paul in his imprisonment (2 Timothy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Appearing Of Our Saviour

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 5, 2013

The incarnation was not an afterthought, but part of the purpose of God for mankind from all eternity.

THE “APPEARING” OF OUR SAVIOUR. 2 Timothy 1:8-11. The incarnation was not an afterthought, but part of God’s purpose for mankind from all eternity. It is the manifestation of the salvation determined from, literally, “before the ages of time” (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; cf. Romans 16:25). No ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Christmas Bible Study

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 5, 2013

An overview of Luke's account of the nativity.

A CHRISTMAS BIBLE STUDY. Luke 1:1-2:20. Luke writes in an exquisite, almost classical Greek style. However, the first two chapters of his Gospel are unashamedly Jewish, painting his message onto a graphic Old Testament background. Here you will meet with angels; you will read of the barren ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-80, Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational