Sermons on Proper 23 Year B:

Preparing For The End Of The Age Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 14, 2020

Preparing for the End of the Age Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 23, 2020 – Brad Bailey

Preparing for the End of the Age Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 23, 2020 – Brad Bailey Series #59 / Luke 21:5–38 Intro It’s been noted that when there is that which may be really hard ahead… most people tend to want to avoid it. The truth is that we waste more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Parable For Recalcitrant Goats

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Nov 27, 2023

A sermon for Christ the King Sunday, Year A

November 26, 2023 Christ the King Sunday Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 25:31-46 A Parable for Recalcitrant Goats Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Perhaps the most central call to prayer in Judaism is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Reflection B.12 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? / Ezekiel 16, Israel, The Brazen Prostitute

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

Ezekiel explains why God will judge Judah.

Today, we’re moving on to Ezekiel in our whistle-stop tour of Old Testament prophecy. Just to keep our goal in mind, our purpose in this series of Reflections is to look at passages of scripture which tell us about how and why God judges, and about ‘End Times’, so we can see if coronavirus and/or ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Twenty-Ninth Sunday In Ordinary Time; 29th Sunday B -- Can You Drink The Cup?

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 18, 2021

For training purposes, the supervisor suddenly handed the nurse a wine glass that happened to be on a nearby shelf. The "director" asked the nurse to "lose" her thumbs by tucking them into her palms. It was uncomfortable and difficult to hold the glass.

Jesus asked James and John, “Can you drink the cup that I drink?” To answer, One can use Theology as Drama. e.g. A supervisor and a nurse did a re-enactment when a patient was going to have an operation on her thumbs the following day. The nurse asked, "Why? What's the matter with ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Denomination: Catholic

Finish Strong And Run The Race

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 2, 2001

A short end-of-the-year message encouraging us to go into the coming year running strongly.

Finish Stong and Run the Race Looking ahead to the next year. 1 Cor. 9:24-27. I. Intro. As we come to the close of another year, one’s mind turns to a few things:  Memories of the past year or years.  What’s in store for next year.  Football playoffs.  And ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Seeking The Lost, For All The Wrong Reasons

Contributed by Gerry Pratt on Apr 30, 2002

There are those who may go about to convert lost souls....but not with the proper motive that God wants us to be moved by.

I think that we all have done some things with the wrong motives in our hearts. A. When we were little, we didn’t misbehave if we at all thought that there might be a reward coming. 1. We were actually phonies...we weren’t being good because we loved and honored our ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Last Snows Of Spring

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 13, 2013

The imperative to praise the LORD: the command to commend.

THE LAST SNOWS OF SPRING. Psalm 147:12-20. There are two different Hebrew words which are both translated “Praise” in Psalm 147:12. The second is the more familiar verb for ‘to praise’ which is echoed within the ‘Hallelujah’ (‘Praise the LORD’) of Psalm 147:1 and Psalm 147:20. The first verb ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 147:12-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Giddy Heights Of Agape Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 9, 2022

Some thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13.

THE GIDDY HEIGHTS OF AGAPE LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. At the end of the previous chapter Paul encouraged the Corinthians (church) to be, literally, ‘zealous’ for the best gifts (‘charismata’). ‘And yet,’ he said, ‘I show unto you a more excellent way’ (1 Corinthians 12:31). What is that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Everything She Had: A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Nov 6, 2021

The first attribute of a life that matters that we will examine in this series of sermons this month is generosity. Generosity, as reflected in our gospel text this week, is about how we hold the stuff of this life lightly, even as we hold people and Christ tightly.

A well-known hymn that captures this idea of generosity is “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” 399 in The United Methodist Hymnal. The middle verse often catches us singing with our fingers crossed: “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” In this text of the widow’s mite, we need to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:38-44

Denomination: United Methodist

Easter Evening.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 23, 2022

Our wisdom is to receive by faith what we do not yet understand.

EASTER EVENING. Luke 24:13-49. A man named Cleopas and his travelling companion were on their way back from Jerusalem, walking the seven miles to a village named Emmaus. Their conversation was very much taken up with concerns about the death of Jesus. A stranger drew near, and walked with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Unity Of The Spirit.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 25, 2024

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (EPHESIANS 4:3).

THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. Ephesians 4:1-6. Our unity is based in the unity of all three Persons of the Godhead (EPHESIANS 4:4-5). EPHESIANS 4:1. We are asked to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” How do we do that? EPHESIANS 4:2. “With all lowliness” = humility. Like the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thanksgiving And Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 26, 2024

We do not lack knowledge, but need rather to tap into that which we already have.

THANKSGIVING AND PRAYER. Colossians 1:3-12. After introducing themselves, and acknowledging that those to whom they are writing are true Christians [i.e. 'saints and faithful brethren in Christ' (Colossians 1:1-2)], Paul and Timothy next “give thanks… praying always for you” (COLOSSIANS ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Weeds.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 11, 2024

There is no separating out until the harvest.

THE PARABLE OF THE WEEDS. Matthew 13:24-30. The interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the tares (MATTHEW 13:24-30) should not be a matter of contention, as Jesus Himself gives the interpretation in Matthew 13:36-43. MATTHEW 13:24. “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Receive Not The Grace Of God In Vain.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 16, 2024

Let us always be open to that grace, and to the daily manifestation of it in our own lives, and in the lives of others.

RECEIVE NOT THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. With the once-and-forever experience of a true conversion to God-in-Christ, there continues to be the on-going necessity of being sanctified. Have we not, at times, failed God, and found it incumbent upon ourselves to repent, and to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Healing Of The Son Of A Nobleman.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2022

The second significant sign in the Gospel of John.

THE HEALING OF THE SON OF A NOBLEMAN. John 4:46-54. Returning to Cana, where Jesus had turned the water into wine, He was met by a royal official from Capernaum whose son was sick, even to the point of death. The man entreated Jesus to come down and heal his boy (JOHN 4:46-47). “Except ye see ...read more

Scripture: John 4:46-54

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational