Sermons on Proper 23 Year B:

Basic Principles Of The Little Commission

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 26, 2014

In the immediate context of this first mission of the disciples, Jesus laid out some basic principles.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE LITTLE COMMISSION. Matthew 10:24-39. This is part of the Missionary Discourse of Jesus (Matthew 9:35-10:42) - the sending of the twelve disciples to seek out none other than ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ (Matthew 10:6). Since the ‘Great Commission’ (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Theft Of A Vineyard

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

One man's brave stand against those who would rob him of his inheritance.

THE THEFT OF A VINEYARD. 1 Kings 21:1-21. Some of us have had the privilege of living in a land where, on paper at least, there was no trespass law. Whether this was because ‘the land belongs to the LORD’ is doubtful - surely no land can share today in the special status of ancient Israel? Yet ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Refocusing Our Commitment To Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 8, 2016

The Guest is more important than the hospitality.

REFOCUSING OUR COMMITMENT TO JESUS. Luke 10:38-42. Luke has arranged his material thematically (Luke 1:3), and it is interesting here to notice that this little but highly significant domestic incident immediately follows the parable of ‘the neighbourly kindness of the hated Samaritan’ (as I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Metaphor Of A Vine

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2019

You turn us, O LORD, You shine on us. Without You there is no salvation.

A METAPHOR OF A VINE. Psalm 80:1-2; Psalm 80:8-19. There are two metaphors in this Psalm: that of God as Shepherd (Psalm 80:1-7), and that of Israel as a vine (Psalm 80:8-16). It is upon the second of these that I wish to concentrate our attention. But first we must remind ourselves of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:1-2, Psalm 80:8-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Common Call

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 9, 2016

The LORD knew His plans for Jeremiah, and had a particular end in view (Jeremiah 29:11). The same is true for us: both as Christian individuals, and as Church.

A COMMON CALL. Jeremiah 1:4-10. Throughout history both the Church in general, and churches in particular, have published books of Common Order, Common Worship, and Common Prayer; common lectionaries, common liturgies, and joint statements of faith and mission. This is not necessarily a bad ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Ode To The Word Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2020

This section has been called an inverted dirge, beginning with celebration, but ending in tears. This shows just how totally the Psalmist is engaged with his subject. In truth, it is a celebration of the Word of God, and of the God of the Word.

AN ODE TO THE WORD OF GOD. Psalm 119:129-136. Psalm 119:129. Reason to keep God’s “testimonies”? Because they are wonderful. Indeed, the Word of God is a ‘wonderful’ thing, full as it is of an extraordinary supernatural wonder! The Psalmist engages not just his “soul” but his whole man to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:129-136

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Tenth Commandment + Fulfilling The Great Commandment + Conclusion/How To Begin Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 12, 2023

This series is taken from the book, "The Ten Commandments - God's Essential Rules For A Happy And Healthy Home" by Craig A. Nelson, and available at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B14D25KR

THE TENTH COMMANDMENT “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:17, Matthew 22:37-40, Matthew 6:5-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Inquisitive Woman At The Well Series

Contributed by Neil Partington on Jul 5, 2007

It’s odd that Jesus did not reveal who He was to His closest followers, but instead reveals Himself to a Samaritan woman at a well. Was it b/c He needed to share it with someone? Or was it b/c she believed and He knew her heart?

From time to time, all of us have felt the sting of rejection We might have been rejected from our friends, our families, our jobs, or maybe even the church Rejections brings with it pain and suffering, the feeling of abandonment and loss And by no means is it a characteristic that we eagerly ...read more

Scripture: John 4:4-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Garland Of Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 12, 2013

I have finished the course, declares Paul to Timothy. You run your course as I have run mine. This applies not only to Timothy, but to every one of us.

A GARLAND OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 2 Timothy 4:16-18. Against a background of false teachers, and hypocritical hearers who will not endure sound teaching, Paul exhorted Timothy to urgently preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2). The young minister was to do this both when it seemed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drawing Lines In The Sand

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 26, 2010

The Incarnation of Jesus Christ drew a line in the sands of time. Jesus Christ is the separation of "old" and "new." As we celebrate His coming we also look forward to a new year and are encouraged to draw lines in the sand.

Drawing Lines in the Sand Philippians 3:13-14 Introduction: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ drew a line in the sands of time. The birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ are the "turning points" in world history. It is interesting to note that the purpose of the BC / AD dating ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

You're Confirmed, So Now What?

Contributed by Christopher Martin on Jun 4, 2008

A sermon preached on Confirmation Sunday/3rd Sunday after Pentecost (proper 4) at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Audubon, Iowa.

Well, today is the big day! Confirmation Sunday! In a few moments, these 12 young people will stand in front of this altar, and make some pretty big promises. This last Wednesday evening, you read your essays entitled “What It Means to Me to Be a Christian” and made some pretty bold statements of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-29

Denomination: Lutheran

Christian: What Kind Of Disciple Are You? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 6, 2022

How can we be better disciples? 1. Avoid distractions (vs. 17-21, 23). 2. Accept the difficulties of following Jesus (vs. 22-23). 3. Avoid pointless disputes (vs. 24). 4. Live with Christlike devotion (vs. 25-28).

Christian: What Kind of Disciple Are You? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 20:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:17. In this verse of Scripture, Jesus has started His trip to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. And by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist

Reflection B.16 / Does God Have A Purpose In Coronavirus? Daniel 7, Daniel’s Fourth Beast, Trampling And Devouring

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 11, 2020

The description of Daniel's fourth beast fits with the identification in the previous 'Reflection'. It looks very much like the westernised nations at the present time.

We are trying to read signs. Are we in a time of God’s judgement? Are we in ‘End Times’? As we look at possible signs, I can imagine several errors we might make: We can take something as a sign that is not a sign. In Greek mythology, the beauty of Europa inspired the love of Zeus. He ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Desire This Christmas?

Contributed by Greg Carr on Dec 19, 2007

There is no better place to understand what our desire should be during this time of the year and every time of the year than in the Word of God.

Pray. Father, open our eyes to the truth of who You are. Help us today to understand what our true desire must be. Open my eyes so that we may see Your Word. Open our ears to hear, our minds to understand, and open our hearts so that we may receive Your Word today. Amen. One word that is often ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:6-8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Three Things To Expect

Contributed by Kent Meeler on Oct 7, 2010

NEW YEARS MESSAGE, RAPTURE, TROUBLE, HARVEST

THREE THINGS TO EXPECT IN 2010 NBCOG 01/03/2010 AM TEXT MATTHEW 16:1-3 INTRODUCTION *DISCERNING THE TIMES HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CRUCIAL PART OF CHRISTIANITY. *MANY HAVE WENT TO THE EXTREME AND IN ERROR HAVE SET DATES AND EVEN TIMES FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST TO TAKE THE CHURCH HOME. *THAT EVENT IS ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1-3

Denomination: Church Of God