Sermons on Epiphany 4:

Lay Baptism & Lay Evangelism (John 4)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 25, 2025

Who baptizes and who evangelizes in our church? Let's look at John 4.

Can ordinary disciples baptize under supervision? Can a novice evangelize? Is a future evangelist waiting somewhere for us to arrive? Do we allow living water from heaven to flow through us? Is our food to do God’s will? Do we share what others need to hear? Let’s examine John 4. Who performed the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Cosmic Declaration

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2013

The individual decisions of Psalm 1, brought up a notch to the corporate level in Psalm 2.

A COSMIC DECLARATION. Psalm 2. At some point in history, Psalms 1 and 2 were lumped together as one single Psalm. This gives us a hint concerning the unity of the Book of Psalms. In fact, if we step back from disputes concerning human authorship, we will find the whole Bible to be the coherent ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ministry Of Baptism

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 14, 2013

The word of God did not come to the palaces of the great or the mighty in church or state, but to John, in the wilderness.

THE MINISTRY OF BAPTISM. Luke 3:1-22. People may be impressed with names and titles, but God is not. As Peter told the household of Cornelius, God shows no partiality: “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). Tiberius was Emperor in Rome. Pontius Pilate was governor in Judea. Herod was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Ephesian Pentecost

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

Pentecost has a way of catching up with people.

AN EPHESIAN PENTECOST. Acts 19:1-7. 1. APOLLOS. Apollos was well taught in the Scriptures, and he was “accurately” teaching the things concerning the Lord - but Apollos knew only the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla perceived the deficiency in his teaching in Ephesus, they drew him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessings And Woes In The Gospel

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 20, 2019

Jesus pronounces His followers Blessed, and pronounces woes against those who are taking their ease in this world.

BLESSINGS AND WOES IN THE GOSPEL. Luke 6:17-26. The context here teaches us that Jesus had spent a whole night alone on the mountain praying to God (Luke 6:12); then He called His disciples to draw near and from them He chose His twelve Apostles (Luke 6:13). Jesus came down with them all and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Believers Run God's Race

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 2, 2005

EPIPHANY 3(B) - Believers run God’s race while God provides purpose / prize and God supplies strength / success.

BELIEVERS RUN GOD’S RACE (Outline) 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 - January 23, 2005 - EPIPHANY 3 INTRO: We are all involved in racing. We race to work, school, and many other appointments. We may have even raced this morning to get ready for worship in God’s house. Mankind is often called the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Lutheran

Today This Scripture Is Fulfilled

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Feb 5, 2009

Epiphany 3(C) - Jesus declares: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled". Believers are filled with God’s Spirit to proclaim God’s message.

“TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE IS FULFILLED…” (Outline) January 25, 2009 -- EPIPHANY 3 -- Luke 4:14-21 INTRO: Our Lord Jesus Christ came and lived on this earth as the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus also came as the word made flesh. We gather together around this very living word of God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Mystery Is Revealed

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 10, 2007

Epiphany 1(A) - Because God’s mystery is revealed believers are able to find what was hidden and joyfully share what was given.

GOD’S MYSTERY IS REVEALED (Outline) January 7, 2007 - EPIPHANY (1) Ephesians 3:2-12 * * * * * * * * * INTRO: God’s blessings upon blessing upon blessing in this New Year! Today we want to consider the mystery that God became man and still remained God. Not ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:2-12

Denomination: Lutheran

What 'praise' Means

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Jan 11, 2003

Epiphany 1 - the Baptism of Our Lord: God is truly praised when He empowers the life of the believer through the forgiveness that Christ won.

Praise is important. Praise generally makes us feel appreciated and it gives us a sense that people care about us. Today we had the privilege of praising our brother Robert for the time, effort, hard work and investment of his heart for the sake of the congregation. And it was good. Praise ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:4-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Faith As Trust

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 9, 2014

Faith in the midst of adversity.

FAITH AS TRUST. Psalm 62:5-12. 1. Context David asserts in Psalm 62:1, that, “Truly” his soul waits upon God, from whom comes his salvation. The Psalmist claims, in no uncertain terms, that his trust is grounded in God (Psalm 62:2). This is a statement of faith which he has reached through the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 62:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Formula For Christian Formation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 24, 2016

Ministry in co-operation with God. Nurturing grace in the believer.

A FORMULA FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION. 1 Corinthians 3:1-9. The natural man does not receive the things that are of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him (1 Corinthians 2:14). Yet the Corinthians hoped they were better than this – and the Apostle Paul wished that they were. And yet, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Wine With Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2013

The passing of old things, and the ushering in of new.

NEW WINE WITH JESUS. John 2:1-11. The Gospel of John provides us with an unashamedly theological overview of the person of Christ. We are introduced to our Lord under the Genesis motif “in the beginning” (John 1:1), and as the Word made flesh (John 1:14). Throughout the book, John’s preferred ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Anoints Jesus Of Nazareth Lord Of All

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 12, 2003

EPIPHANY 1(C) - God anoints Jesus of Nazareth as Lord of all so that He can provide GRACE for all and PEACE for all.

GOD ANOINTS JESUS OF NAZARETH LORD OF ALL ACTS 10:34-38 JANUARY 12, 2003 ACTS 10:34-38 34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:34-38

Denomination: Lutheran

The Body Of Christ: God And Us

Contributed by Evelyn Weston on Feb 5, 2004

Epiphany 3C: We fill many roles in the Body of Christ, but God fills the most important parts of brain, heart, and lungs.

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ. The carpenter’s tools had a meeting. Brother Hammer was the chair. The members informed him that he must leave, because he was too noisy. But Brother Hammer said, "If I am to leave this carpenter’s shop, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Denomination: Lutheran

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 10, 2005

EPIPHANY 1(B) - What must I do to be saved is a question of desperation which needs God’s gracious answer of salvation.

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? (Outline) ACTS 16:25-34 - January 9, 2005 - EPIPHANY 1 INTRO: Questions. Questions. The world is full of questions that seem to have no one good answer. One such question is why? Many often ask that eternal question of why. Sometimes they are satisfied with ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Lutheran