Sermons on Series B Lectionary:

Hope Amid Chastening

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 25, 2020

The outworking of the mercies and compassion of the LORD, in the context of chastening.

HOPE AMID CHASTENING Lamentations 3:22-33 “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed” (Lamentations 3:22a). The Hebrew word translated “mercies” is “hesed”, and speaks of God’s steadfast love, His covenant mercy. The fact that “we are not consumed” is based in the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trust Of A Little Child

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2018

Of such is the kingdom of God.

THE TRUST OF A LITTLE CHILD. Mark 10:13-16. In one of our previous readings, Jesus set a little child in the midst of His disciples (Mark 9:36). Now such children, in the ancient world, had no rights: yet Jesus was happy to scoop such a one up into His holy arms and teach. We noticed then ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Feeding Five Thousand And Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 22, 2018

Hunger in the wilderness and wind at sea BOTH can kill: but the Rescuer comes.

A. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000. John 6:1-15. It was now nearly a year since Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Passover was fast approaching (John 6:4). Jesus and His disciples had tried to withdraw from the throng in Galilee, and sought some rest and relaxation in the Golan Heights: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharp Words Spoken By Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2018

All things are possible with God, but those who set their hearts on riches will be sadly disappointed.

SHARP WORDS SPOKEN BY LOVE. Mark 10:17-31. The first three Gospels all report Jesus’ encounter with the character who has become known by the composite name of ‘the rich young ruler’. They all mention that he was ‘rich’ (as in Mark 10:22), but only Matthew mentions that he was ‘young’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Give Thanks

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 28, 2018

We must share the good news: His mercy DOES endure forever!

A CALL TO GIVE THANKS. Psalm 107:1-3; Psalm 107:17-22. This Psalm is a celebration of the wonderful works of God. The situations referred to in each of its word pictures could no doubt be attached to some specific event in the history of God’s people. However, they are common experiences, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:17-22, Psalm 107:1-3, Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peace Is Restored Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Dec 17, 2017

Shalom is God’s peace made alive in the life of the believer. It guides, comforts, quiets, restores and sustains, regardless of life circumstances. Shalom is found nowhere apart from God.

It is possible not to see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God's [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for ...read more

Denomination: Other

The Self-Sacrifice Of The Shepherd.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2021

He is the Good Shepherd who seeks out the lost sheep, and dies for His flock.

THE SELF- SACRIFICE OF THE SHEPHERD. John 10:11-18. In the fourth “I am” saying of John’s Gospel, Jesus appears as the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Thus He is made known to His sheep (John 10:14). In John 10 Jesus effectively castigated the Pharisees for their ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inside The Prayer Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 22, 2021

Entrusted to the Son by the Father.

INSIDE THE PRAYER OF JESUS. John 17:6-19. Jesus was aware of the power invested in Him to bring “all flesh” (John 17:2) under the sound of the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-19), and to give eternal life to such as the Father gave Him (John 17:2). This is a great mystery, wrapped up as it is in what we ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Broken Bread.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2021

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6 verse 53.

THE BROKEN BREAD. John 6:51-58. Everlasting life is not a thing that is earned: it is a free gift of God. All that is required is that we put our trust wholly and entirely in Jesus (John 6:28-29). Jesus says quite categorically that whoever believes in Him has everlasting life (John 6:47), and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:51-58

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Failure To Understand.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2021

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10 verse 39.

A FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND John 6:56-69 Like Nicodemus who struggled with the concept of being born again (John 3:4; John 3:9), the Jews in the Capernaum synagogue (John 6:59) struggled to understand what Jesus was talking about (John 6:41; John 6:52). Jesus’ response (John 6:53-57) is only a ...read more

Scripture: John 6:56-69

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Arrest Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2022

The willingness of Jesus to die for us.

THE ARREST OF JESUS. John 18:1-14. After the Passover meal, the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the Upper Room discourse, and Jesus’ great high priestly prayer, Jesus led His disciples over the brook Kidron to the garden of Gethsemane (John 18:1). Judas, possessed by Satan (cf. John 13:2; ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Immanuel: With Us The God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 16, 2023

A sign refused - a sign offered nonetheless.

IMMANUEL: WITH US THE GOD. Isaiah 7:10-14. The northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, along with her ally Syria/Aram, intended to force the Davidic kingdom of Judah into their alliance against the Assyrians (Isaiah 7:1), by setting up a puppet king - a ‘Son of No Good’ (Isaiah 7:6) - in Jerusalem. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That All People May Know Thy Name.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2021

The transcendence and immanence of God.

THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY KNOW THY NAME. 1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 1 Kings 8:22-30; 1 Kings 8:41-43. The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple in Jerusalem was a monumental moment in the history of God’s people (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6). Yet all the skill and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Kings 8:6, 1 Kings 8:10-11, 1 Kings 8:22-30, 1 Kings 8:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imprecations In Context.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 19, 2025

To attack God's people is to attack the LORD Himself!

IMPRECATIONS IN CONTEXT. Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18. Today’s Psalm begins, “Keep not silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still O God” (PSALM 83:1). As if He ever would, when to attack God’s people is to attack the LORD Himself! ‘Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence,’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Relentless Rhythms Of Time.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 10, 2024

A time for everything.

THE RELENTLESS RHYTHMS OF TIME. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13. ‘Turn, turn, turn’ is the refrain of the old pop song based upon these verses. However, time is not circular, but linear: it is more like a river relentlessly, but always, running downstream. It is our subjective experience of time that gives ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational