Sermons on Proper 23 Year B:

A Royal Nativity. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 18, 2022

The most significant census of all history.

A ROYAL NATIVITY. Luke 2:1-7. Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that “all the world” should be “registered” (Luke 2:1). Unbeknown to the mighty Emperor, this was going to be the most significant census of all history. After all, even the most powerful of potentates are subservient, whether ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reconciliation, And Grace To Follow.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 3, 2022

Our reconciliation with God is made possible by the grace of God through the work of Christ. Having been reconciled, we are made the righteousness of God in Him. We are enabled, by the same grace of God, to follow God in the way of righteousness.

RECONCILIATION, AND GRACE TO FOLLOW. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. As an ambassador for Christ, Paul was pleading with the Corinthians - on behalf of Christ - that they go on being reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20). We may feel that this is unnecessary: if we are ‘called ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21, 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anxiety.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 15, 2023

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

ANXIETY. Matthew 6:25-34. MATTHEW 6:25. “Take no thought” is an unfortunate translation. When Jesus says (literally) “be not careful,” He obviously is not sanctioning thoughtlessness, nor even carelessness. He rather means, “Do not be anxious.” Jesus introduces a trinity of cares: what ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 6:25-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Embrace Of Righteousness And Peace.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 8, 2023

“Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).

THE EMBRACE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE. Psalm 85:1-2, Psalm 85:8-13. In Psalm 85 we have first a prayer (Psalm 85:1-7), then what has been termed “an answer of peace” (Psalm 85:8-13). The Prayer begins, not with personal desires, but by recalling to mind God’s past favours (Psalm 85:1-2). We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-2, Psalm 85:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Serpent And The Cross.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2023

Without the Cross there is no salvation for any one of us, bitten as we are by the sting of death which is sin.

THE SERPENT AND THE CROSS. John 3:14-21. JOHN 3:14. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up.” This refers back to an incident during the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel (cf. Numbers 21:4-9), and forward to the crucifixion. ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Witnesses To The Death Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2023

Jesus was surely dead, and certified so by the authorities.

THE WITNESSES TO THE DEATH OF JESUS. Mark 15:39-47. After Jesus ‘cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost’ and ‘the veil in the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom’ (cf. Mark 15:37-38), the first person to realise the full meaning of what has just happened was not one ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:39-47

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Preparation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 17, 2023

A sacrificial insight framed by plots against Jesus.

THE PREPARATION. Mark 14:1-11. 1. The Plot to Kill Jesus (Mark 14:1-2). The first thing that we notice as we enter into this passage is that it was the LORD who was setting the timetable for Jesus’ death. It was "the feast of the PASSOVER, and of Unleavened Bread” (MARK 14:1a). In other ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praising The Beauty Of Holiness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 31, 2025

Before we can talk about the “city of our God” we must recognise and acknowledge the God of the city. The Bible does not begin with Jerusalem, but with God. The New Testament does not begin with the church, but with Jesus.

PRAISING THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Psalm 48:1-7. This psalm begins with a simple statement of fact: “Great is the LORD” and, because of the greatness of the LORD, He is “greatly to be praised” (PSALM 48:1a). Where is the LORD to be praised? In the place that God has chosen (cf. 2 Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Christmas Isn't Picture Perfect

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Dec 3, 2006

Exposition of Matt. 2:13-23

When Christmas Isn’t Picture Perfect Matt. 2:13-23 Every year I read this fictional Christmas correspondence between Martha Stewart and Erma Bombeck to remind me that Christmas isn’t always picture perfect. Hi Erma, This perfectly delightful note is being sent on paper I made myself to tell you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Raising 5-12 Year Olds: Building Godly Character Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Jun 4, 2007

As children begin their early school years we need to begin teaching in earnest the necessity of salvation and what the Bible has to say concerning right and wrong in order to give them a good foundation for developing godly character.

THE BIBLICAL FAMILY: Raising 5-12 Year olds Main Goal: Godly Character Titus 2:11-13 INTRODUCTION: A. If you were here last Sunday night you remember that our main focus in those early years of our children (0-5 years old) was to teach them to know that they are under authority. 1. As ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

You Can’t Handle The Truth

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 23, 2018

A study in the book of Genesis 40: 1 – 23

Genesis 40: 1 – 23 You can’t handle the truth 40 It came to pass after these things that the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker. 3 So he put them in custody in the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Your Part In The Big Play

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Nov 30, 2006

Exposition of Haggai 2:20-23

Your Part in the Big Play Haggai 2:20-23 It was William Shakespeare who once said All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts. What an interesting way to look at life—as a dramatic, tragic, ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Camel That Passed Through The Eye Of A Needle. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2023

Jesus seeks and saves the lost.

A CAMEL THAT PASSED THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE. Abridged. Luke 19:1-10. We were reading recently about a certain ruler who, perhaps recognizing that money is not everything, asked Jesus what he must ‘do’ to inherit eternal life. The young man had an extremely high view of his own heart, but ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Refocus Series

Contributed by Grant Macdonald on Jan 10, 2012

We have to guard our Christian focus and make sure that it remains on Christ.

It is New Year’s Day. Happy New Year everyone! We all know what the coming of the New Year should mean to us all. It’s time to take an inventory of how we lived in 2011 and think through some much needed changes for 2012. In other words, it’s time to make a list of New ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Three Attitudes In The Church

Contributed by Mike Rickman on Mar 17, 2012

For the church to move foward there must be proper attitudes in the church.

March 18, 2012 Morning Worship Text: Acts 5:1-16; Philippians 2:5 Subject: The Early Church Title: Three Attitudes in the Church I want to begin this morning by sharing what the Lord spoke to me on Friday. Here is how His word came to me. It wasn’t when I was at prayer Friday morning (though ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God