Sermons on Easter Invitation Drama:

The Panting Deer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2017

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

THE PANTING DEER. Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 43:1-5. There is such a thing as speaking truth into raw emotion. Imagine a situation where you are one of the worship team in the Temple at Jerusalem, and you are taken hostage to Samaria (cf. 2 Kings 14:14). On the way your heart identifies with a deer ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 43:1-5, Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Grace For The Graceful

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 25, 2019

The grace of God continues for those who are already demonstrating the fruits of grace in their life.

GRACE FOR THE GRACEFUL. Acts 9:36-43. I am sometimes at pains to emphasise how God’s grace abounds for sinners (cf. Romans 5:20), but in the instance before us we see how God’s grace also continues to abound for a woman who is already a “disciple”. Doctor Luke, the author of Acts, is at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:36-43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Explanation Of Peter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 27, 2019

Who was I that I could withstand God?

PETER’S EXPLANATION. Acts 11:1-18. The turning point in Luke’s Gospel was when Jesus ‘steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51). The turning point of Luke’s second volume, the Book of Acts, is found in the breaking down of objections to the inclusion of Gentiles in the church, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Encounter Of Openness And Truth

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 28, 2019

It is God who sets things in motion, and God who opens hearts to the Gospel.

THE ENCOUNTER OF OPENNESS AND TRUTH. Acts 16:9-15. It is a bit of a cliché, but ‘when God closes one door, He opens another’. This was certainly the experience of Paul and his companions: Silas (cf. Acts 15:40), Timothy (cf. Acts 16:1-3), and Luke (cf. Acts 16:10). We are not told how, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirsty Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 23, 2015

This sermon is fifth in a series of seven dealing with the last words of Jesus. The statement "I am thirsty." points out: I. The Humanity of Christ II. The Sovereignty of Christ III. The Fulfilled Prophecies of Christ

Thirsty This morning we will continue our study on the sayings of Jesus from the cross. Today we come the fifth statement of Jesus. It is found in the gospel of John chapter nineteen. Please follow along as I read: Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Into Your Hands Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Apr 3, 2015

This sermon looks at the final words of Jesus. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. At his death: 1. Jesus Died PRAYING to God 2. Jesus Died TRUSTING God 3. Jesus Died SUBMITTING to God

Into Your Hands This morning we have come to the last of the seven sayings of Jesus as He was hanging on the cross. These were the last words that Jesus spoke before He died. These last words were a prayer to His Father. Follow along with me as I read our text this morning: It was now about the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:44-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advocacy And Fellowship

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 4, 2015

The opening twelve verses of the first Epistle of John introduce us to three main themes: fellowship, sin, and propitiation.

ADVOCACY AND FELLOWSHIP. 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-2:2. The opening of the First Epistle of John is not unlike the famous Prologue of his Gospel (John 1:1-14). It too takes us back to “the beginning”, and introduces us to “the Word” - and it soon becomes clear that the Word is none other than ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10, 1 John 2:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bumping Into Jesus Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 7, 2015

The experience that the women have at the tomb--their encounter with Jesus-- turns their mourning into dancing and transforms their lives forever.

Matthew 28:1-10 “Bumping into Jesus” INTRODUCTION Have you ever had the experience of bumping into an old acquaintance who you never thought you’d ever bump into? That happened to Faye and me one time when our family went to a Twins game in Minneapolis with my ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

A Lie Could Not Con-Seal The Truth

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Apr 13, 2015

The lies that the religious leaders paid for could not purchase the truth away from the risen Christ.

Easter Sunrise 2015 Matthew 27:62-66 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Lamb Slain Standing

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 28, 2013

A meditation at the tomb of Jesus.

A LAMB SLAIN STANDING. Revelation 5:6. 1. Good Friday. Just as the Passover lambs were being slaughtered, Jesus - the Lamb of God - was given over to be crucified (John 19:14). Consider the implications of this. 2. Good Friday anticipates Easter Sunday. Jesus had to die, but this was not ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 5:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Arise! Get Up! Come Forth!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 30, 2013

The incarnation is all about what Jesus came to do.

ARISE! GET UP! COME FORTH! John 5:1-9; John 5:21-30. The miracle [literally 'sign' (John 4:54)] of the healing of the boy at Capernaum is immediately followed in John’s account with another healing, this time at an unspecified feast in Jerusalem (John 5:1-9). THE NEED (John 5:1-5). A ...read more

Scripture: John 5:21-30, John 5:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Speech Of Stephen

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Wherever God meets His people is a holy place, not just in the Temple or in a Church building.

STEPHEN’S SPEECH. Acts 7. Standing before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council in the Temple of Jerusalem, false witnesses alleged that the Christian deacon Stephen had claimed that ‘Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses delivered us’ (Acts 6:14). ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:1-60

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith In The Midst Of Trials

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

Addressing a present distress.

FAITH IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS. 1 Peter 1:3-9. It is no mistake that the first letter of the Apostle Peter is prominent in liturgical calendars in the season immediately following Easter. Those churches and Christian communities who use the book as a kind of catechism for new converts certainly ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Will You Do With Jesus?

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 2, 2014

How will you respond to the redemption Jesus secured at Calvary?

What Will You Do With Jesus? Matthew 26:47-56 Albert B. Simpson wrote an old hymn that asks a very important question, it says: "What will you do with Jesus?" "Neutral you cannot be" "Someday your heart will be asking" “What will He do with me?” Each person here ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Fulfills The Feasts - Part 2 Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Apr 14, 2014

Christianity is not God's plan B. It was the plan from the very beginning and we can see through the patterns and prophecies of the Old Testament, especially the Old Testament Feasts, the reality of God's plan through Jesus!

Seeing the Reality through the Shadows Jesus Fulfills the Feasts – Part 2 Colossians 2:16-17 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational