Sermons on Echoes:

Everyone Who Asks Receives? Really? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 2, 2021

“We should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.” That’s not a suggestion. That’s a demand .

Monday of Epiphany Week 2020 It’s a good idea to read St. John’s words in this first letter perhaps every week of our lives, because in it we find the key to happiness and fulfillment. John says “we receive from [God] whatever we ask.” Hmm, that’s interesting. And we recall that Jesus Himself said ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:12-25, 1 John 3:23-24, 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons In Aramaic Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 11, 2021

There were three occasions when gospel writer Mark did not translate the words of Jesus into Greek but let them remain in the original Aramaic. Why? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/zY62PLiVBhY]

Scripture Reading: Mark 7:31-37 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Last Passover

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 9, 2020

A planned betrayal. Institution of Communion. Singing Praise. On to Gethsemane.

THE LAST PASSOVER. Matthew 26:14-30. Even before the chief priests and the scribes had wrongly determined that the death of Jesus should not take place ‘during the feast’ (Matthew 26:5), Jesus had already predicted exactly when His death would take place (Matthew 26:2). They were wrong, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope Amid Chastening

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 25, 2020

The outworking of the mercies and compassion of the LORD, in the context of chastening.

HOPE AMID CHASTENING Lamentations 3:22-33 “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22a). The Hebrew word translated “mercies” is “hesed”, and speaks of God’s steadfast love, His covenant mercy. The fact that “we are not consumed” is based in the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Beatitudes - You’re Blessed !

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Nov 4, 2017

Each Beatitudes is a proverb-like saying, cryptic, precise, and full of meaning which isn't always crystal clear and using the NRSV and the Message for 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' reveals the importance of GRACE.

The Beatitudes - You’re Blessed (NRSV vs The Message) - Matt 5:3 Todays gospel for All saints day is known as the “Beatitudes” and is one of the best known and loved verses of the Gospel. It forms the beginning of what has come to be known as the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus saw the crowds ...read more

Gospel Without Charge

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Apr 15, 2020

If you could not be paid to preach would you pay to preach?

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. From ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:17-18, 2 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Corinthians 11:20

Denomination: Baptist

"learning To Lean On God’s Hands"

Contributed by Rev. Mark Orwa on May 5, 2020

Presbyterian

In life we all face some setbacks in one way or another. We all experiences some pain, loneliness, disappointments, rejection, or sickness. But through it all, it is a sweet relief in knowing that the hand of the Lord is there to lean on. God molds us in to great vessels with his hands so that we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1-6, John 10:24-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

The Empty Tomb

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 12, 2013

Jesus' bodily Presence is not all: He is with us for ever.

THE EMPTY TOMB. John 20:1-18. While Jesus’ enemies had been busying themselves setting a watch over His tomb, the disciples had been sitting quietly at home, keeping the Sabbath. At first dawn Mary Magdalene - and some other women - came to the sepulchre, and found the stone had been rolled away ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Believe In The Resurrection

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 27, 2013

Those who deny the truth of the resurrection are teaching a different gospel to that which we find in the New Testament.

I BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION. 1 Corinthians 15:1-34. Sometimes it is necessary for Christian people to get back to the basics of their faith, to remind themselves what they are about. Here in 1 Corinthians, Paul is not teaching his readers something new, but reviewing that which he taught them ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 3, 2013

The contrast between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion: its inferences and implications in our life.

A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN. Hebrews 12:18-29. I. A BOOK OF CONTRASTS. The letter to the Hebrews is full of contrasts - too many to innumerate in a short space. Here the author shows the difference between the covenant at Sinai (Hebrews 12:18-21), and the covenant of Christianity (Hebrews ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fire And Water: The Elements Of Holiness

Contributed by Bryan Beverly on Oct 6, 2014

These texts remind us that God’s concept of holiness is one that permeates the totality of our beings.

21 Eleazar the priest said to the troops who had gone to battle: “This is the statute of the law that the Lord has commanded Moses: 22 gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead— 23 everything that can withstand fire, shall be passed through fire, and it shall be clean. Nevertheless it ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 31:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Two Most Important Moments Of Life Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 18, 2019

“What are the two most important moments in any person’s life?”

Tuesday of the 5th Week in Easter 2019 What are the two most important moments in any person’s life? In your life? In my life? I’ll come back to these questions–really a single question–in a moment. But first I’d like to point out that as Jesus concludes the long sermon at the Last Supper, He is ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27-31, Acts 14:19-28, Luke 2:34

Denomination: Catholic

New Heavens And A New Earth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 25, 2022

The marks of the new Jerusalem will be rejoicing, longevity, security, satisfying work, fellowship with God, and peace.

NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH. Isaiah 65:17-25. “Behold,” says the LORD, “I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17). The word for “create” is the same as in Genesis 1-2. But this is something “new,” which stands in contrast to “the former” things which “shall not be remembered nor ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational