Sermons on Irony:

The Sabbath Controversy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 21, 2020

The LORD requires compassion rater than ritualism.

THE SABBATH CONTROVERSY. Matthew 12:1-21. This is an account of a controversy which arose from the actions of Jesus’ disciples one Sabbath when they were physically hungry (Matthew 12:1). The ever-vigilant Pharisees had been self-appointed guardians of the old laws and traditions for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Freedom Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2016

If the Son shall make us free, we shall be free indeed.

III. CALLED TO FREEDOM. A. SET FREE - TO SERVE GOD! Exodus 10:24-26. It is somewhat ironic that Pharaoh would eventually release the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt that they might go and “serve the LORD” (Exodus 10:24). Pharaoh was not willing for them to take their flocks with them, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 10:24-26, Philippians 3:14, Philemon 1:16, Ephesians 2:1-3, Galatians 5:13, Galatians 5:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Judgmental "Thou Shalt Not Judge” Diversion

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 28, 2017

Jesus said to “Judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The Bible clearly gives every Born-Again Christian the authority and right to humbly discern and make the distinction between truth and error, right and wrong, good and evil.

In the pluralistic culture we currently live in the greatest 'sin' is intolerance and self-contradictory moral relativism runs rampant as judgments are suspended so that each person can define what is morally right or wrong for them. The Bible verse most often taken out of context to condemn those ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1, Matthew 7:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Open Letter

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 20, 2019

No longer a slave.

AN OPEN LETTER. PHILEMON 1:1-21. Onesimus was a slave who had escaped from his Christian master, Philemon. Yet in a beautiful irony, having not ‘made it’ alone in the big city, he found himself at last brought under the direct personal influence of “Paul the prisoner” (Philemon 1:1). Many a ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of God's Call Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on May 7, 2019

Many remember Jonah as a book about Jonah and the big fish. This book is really about the relentless love and pursuit of God.

Intro: What do most people remember about Jonah if you have ever heard the story in VBS or Sunday School? You probably remember that it is a whale of a tale. There would be lots of talk about Jonah and his disobedience and reluctance to go where God tells him to go. The problem with remembering ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus, The Man Of Sorrows

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 20, 2016

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:35).

JESUS, THE MAN OF SORROWS. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – Fourth Servant Song. 1. The introduction to this prophecy of the Passion of Jesus begins not with His humiliation, but with His exaltation (Isaiah 52:13). The letter to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus, ‘who for the joy that was set before Him endured ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12, Isaiah 52:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Success Or Failure? Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 20, 2016

We must realize that the whole of God's plan is greater than the part we play in it.

Thursday of Second Week in Lent 2016 Joy of the Gospel Sometimes I think of irony as God’s invention to help us cope with the effects of original sin. Just consider this rich guy, fat and happy, with what he thinks is everything he ever wanted. He dies, and the Douay-Rheims translation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Catholic

Easter: A Cause For Celebration

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 27, 2016

"The Lord is Risen!" "He is risen indeed!"

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. Psalm 118:1-2, Psalm 118:14-24. The Orthodox Celebrant passes in and out amongst his congregation, repeating his announcement in the indigenous language of each people group: ‘The Lord is Risen!’ Each ethnic group answers in their own native tongue: ‘He is risen indeed!’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-2, Psalm 118:14-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Child-Like Humility

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2018

If you want to be first, learn to be last!

A CHILD-LIKE HUMILITY. Mark 9:30-37. 1. CONTEXT (Mark 8:29-34). On the back of Peter’s famous confession of faith (Mark 8:29), Jesus began to teach His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (Mark 8:31). About this the disciples were, to say the least, slow on the uptake: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Repent Or Perish Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 25, 2017

Jesus spoke of a disaster in Jerusalem that killed 18 people when a tower collapsed. The location of the tower at Siloam is unknown, although it may have been part of Jerusalem’s wall near the pool of Siloam. Jesus also mentioned a group of Galilean men

Judea Lesson: Repent or Perish Luke 13:1-5 1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Greatest Gift Of All

Contributed by Geoffrey Foot on Dec 14, 2017

Christmas is a time of sharing presents and each other's company, a time when rifts between family members should be healed. During the WW1 on Christmas Eve the British and Germans stopped killing each other as Christ's message of PEACE prevailed.

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL. JOHN 1:1-18. The 1914 secret truce between the German and British soldiers has been told many times but it’s certainly worth repeating. In many ways it is surely the miracle of Christmas and its meaning was made manifest in the action of the soldiers who brought to light ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18

A Controversy, A Courtroom, And A Commissioning.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 11, 2022

The Lord of the Sabbath appoints Apostles.

A CONTROVERSY, A COURTROOM, AND A COMMISSIONING. Luke 6:1-16. LUKE 6:1-5. This is an account of a controversy which arose from the actions of Jesus’ disciples one Sabbath when they were physically hungry (Luke 6:1). The ever-vigilant Pharisees had been self-appointed guardians of the old ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Is On Our Side.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 25, 2024

'This I know; for God is for me' (cf. Psalm 56:9).

WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 1 Samuel 17:32-49. Things had reached an impasse in the territorial struggles between the invading Philistines and Israel. The valley of Elah (cf. 1 Samuel 17:2) was in the south of Israel, and the two armies were set in battle array facing one another, but neither side ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reality Of Death

Contributed by Perry Greene on Mar 2, 2020

A generic sermon about death that can be adapted to funerals.

I normally try to weave the Bible and the stories of the deceased into a eulogy. • God’s words of instruction to us • God’s Standards borne out in Jesus (John 14.6) • God’s Commands “What would I want to say to an audience who was looking at the reality of death?” Hebrews 9:27-28 27 And just as ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Riot That Turned Into A Testimony Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jan 23, 2021

But we cannot fulfill our baptismal commitment until we “go and proclaim.”

Monday of 3rd Week in Course Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul Today’s Gospel really takes us to the core teaching that we sum up in the word “Gospel,” which means “Good News.” That core teaching is that we are not to just come to Jesus, not just listen to Him and be forgiven, healed, baptized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:15-18, Acts 22:3-16, Genesis 22:18

Denomination: Catholic