Sermons on J C Penney:

A Trinitarian Delight In Creation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 1, 2016

Of Jesus it was said that the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2).

A TRINITARIAN DELIGHT IN CREATION. Proverbs 8:1-4; Proverbs 8:22-31. Proverbs 8:1-4 alerts us to the call of Wisdom: a call which is heard in the highways and byways of life, in the marketplaces and from the tops of the roof. Dame Folly, by way of contrast, lurks around the corner (Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 8:1-4, Proverbs 8:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glory Of God Returns To The Temple

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 10, 2016

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former … and in this place will I give peace.

GOD’S GLORY RETURNS TO THE TEMPLE. Haggai 2:1-9. The rebuilding of the Temple of God at Jerusalem about 537 BC met with early discouragements and setbacks. It is in this context that we first hear the prophet Haggai (Ezra 5:1). The whole of Haggai's short canonical book is designed to lift ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fight The Good Fight Of The Faith

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 7, 2013

Flee, follow, fight, lay hold, and obey. The makings of the man of God.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF THE FAITH. 1 Timothy 6:11-16. The title “man of God” (1 Timothy 6:11) is addressed to Timothy in contradistinction to ‘any man who teaches otherwise’ (1 Timothy 6:3). The expression is occasionally used of prophets in the Old Testament. In the New Testament it will come ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Widow And The Prophet

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 15, 2013

Grace can truly be said in the household that has received the LORD's grace, and the gift of faith, the gift of prayer, and the gift of answered prayer. All we have to do now is obey.

THE WIDOW AND THE PROPHET. 1 Kings 17:8-24. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (James 5:17). This may seem an audacious thing to pray for, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Solemn Feast Day

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2020

A summons to resounding praise.

A SOLEMN FEAST DAY. Psalm 81:1-7. This Psalm opens with a summons to resounding praise (Psalm 81:1-3), with reasons to do so attached (Psalm 81:4-7). It continues with an address by God, beginning with a commandment, with a promise attached (Psalm 81:8-10); and going on to upbraid the people ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honey Out Of The Rock

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 11, 2020

Even now, God is waiting to forgive.

HONEY OUT OF THE ROCK. Psalm 81:8-16. If we allow that the summons to praise (Psalm 81:1) is a call to celebrate the kingship of the LORD, it is because He, and He alone, is God (Psalm 81:9-10; cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Psalm 81:8. “Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto you: O Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1, Psalm 81:8-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Accessibility Of The Word Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 6, 2019

But - praise be to God - God has already come down in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE WORD OF GOD. Deuteronomy 30:9-14. The Book of Deuteronomy as a whole, and Deuteronomy 29-30 in particular, are written in terms reminiscent of Ancient Suzerainty treaties. Under certain terms and conditions outlined in the pronouncement of curses and blessings, a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unbelieving Behaviour And The Grace Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 28, 2019

The folly of living as if there is no God. A people made righteous by grace. Their persecution and deliverance.

UNBELIEVING BEHAVIOUR AND THE GRACE OF GOD. Psalm 14. The first verse of this Psalm is well known as an argument against those who deny the very existence of God (Psalm 14:1). I am sure I have heard it preached in that way, I know I have read it so, and maybe have even mentioned it in such a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joyous Prospect

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 22, 2018

This is not just about a City, but about the whole People of God.

A JOYOUS PROSPECT. Isaiah 62:1-5. Isaiah’s so-called ‘Song of the Vineyard’ (Isaiah 5:1-7), spoke of a time when judgment and desolation loomed large upon the horizon of his contemporaries. There the husbandman (cf. John 15:1) looked for a fruitful harvest, but the vineyard yielded only bad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grace Of The Lord In The Midst Of Famine.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

A miraculous and timely provision.

THE GRACE OF THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF FAMINE. 1 Kings 17:8-16. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (James 5:17). This may seem an audacious thing to pray ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trouble At Philippi.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 22, 2022

Diabolical opposition to the gospel.

TROUBLE AT PHILIPPI. Acts 16:16-34. One of the hazards of church planting is a problem of space: where and when to gather for worship. Of course, small groups can meet in our homes: but the very beginning of gospel work might, in suitable climates, take place outdoors (cf. Acts 16:13). But ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The First Day.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 9, 2023

God spoke and it was done.

THE FIRST DAY. Genesis 1:1-5. GENESIS 1:1. “In the beginning” is a temporal expression; it pertains to time. In fact, here it refers to the beginning of time itself; but also to the beginning of Creation. This is the beginning of everything. “In the beginning God.” Before time was, before ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Salvation Story Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 16, 2017

In understanding the Salvation Story we can see: The People of Salvation (Romans 8:28), 2) The Purpose of Salvation (Romans 8:29c-d), and 3) The Process of Salvation (Romans 8:29a-b, 30)

There has been a common thread in listening to the survivors of the recent hurricanes and tropical storms. Although many are still without power, having their workplaces and homes destroyed with all their earthly possessions, many are still thankful for what remained. Through shelter and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Other

Nehemiah (Comforter) Part 1 Nasb

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 19, 2025

Restoration and renewal, rebuilding the wall, opposition fails to stop construction; takes place over 20 years. There are 9 major prayers in this book. (c/o Marilyn Hickey Ministries); notes by biblegateway.com

Nehemiah’s Grief for the Exiles; prayer for Jerusalem 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the [a]capitol, (HIS PARENTS WERE IN THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY, THIS TAKES PLACE IN IRAN. WE NEED TO PRAY FOR PEACE ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

The Lord Upon His Throne

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 25, 2017

The ascension, enthronement, and return of Jesus.

THE LORD UPON HIS THRONE. Psalm 93. This Psalm is about, first and foremost, the Creator God upon His throne. He is “robed with majesty” (Psalm 93:1). He has also, incidentally, “established” the created order. However, we are not to worship the creation (I interject), as it is only the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 93:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational