Sermons on A Proper 13:

A Riot Of Colour And Beauty

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2015

The mysterious workings of God's grace in the believer.

A RIOT OF COLOUR AND BEAUTY. Mark 4:26-34. One year I dug a border outside my living room window. I bought some packets of seeds, dug small troughs, and scattered the seeds randomly in the little troughs before covering them over with light soil (cf. Mark 4:26). Job done. For a while, nothing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Exorcising A Demonic Faith Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on May 10, 2012

James continues the warning against having a lifeless, dead faith by reminding us that even the Adversary and his legion believe in God but do not obey him in proper actions.

1. Johnny Carson Exorcist Joke When the movie, “The Exorcist” came out, Johnny Carson was the host of the Tonight Show. My very favorite joke he told was about the movie. He asked Ed McMahon, “What happens if you don’t pay your exorcist?” Ed repeated the question and ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Anointed Ruler, Divine King

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 15, 2017

The Old Testament expectation was inclining towards the coming of the warrior king. Instead, He appeared as the man on the donkey.

ANOINTED RULER, DIVINE KING. Zechariah 9:9-12. In a series of visions, Zechariah reached beyond the needs of his own time to the coming of Jesus. In Zechariah 9:1, the eyes of men, and all Israel, were looking towards the return of the LORD to His city and Temple. The departure was foretold by ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 15, 2018

While God is preparing us for this house, Jesus is preparing this house for us.

WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. The first thing that strikes us about this passage is the continuity between the Old Testament and the New. Paul finds his warrant to preach embedded in the book of Psalms: ‘I believed, therefore I spoke. I am greatly afflicted’ (Psalm 116:10). ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bridling The Tongue

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The same tongue which responds to God’s manifest glories by blessing His holy name also denigrates the poor - the widow, the orphan, and the resident alien - who, like us, are made in His image.

BRIDLING THE TONGUE. James 3:1-12. “If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). James 3:1. James begins his elucidation of this text with a warning against seeking pre-eminence amongst the brethren. This ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 23, 2018

Make me an offer I can't refuse!

THE CALL OF WISDOM. Proverbs 9:1-6. Even before she invited us, Lady Wisdom “built her house” (Proverbs 9:1). The hewing out of Lady Wisdom’s “seven pillars” speaks of completeness (unlike the ‘folly’ in Edinburgh which was never completed), spaciousness, and endurance. ‘I go to prepare a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let The Boaster Boast!

Contributed by Christopher Hill on Apr 2, 2004

Boasting is usually something frowned on but we are given instructions in the proper motivation and subject of our boasting in Jermiah. We are to boast that we know and understand Yahweh God.

Let the boaster boast! Jeremiah 9:23-24 Boasting is essentially praising oneself. The Hebrew llh means to praise and in this section it is the reflexive hitpa’el – in other words, praising oneself. I. The pattern of the Hebrew text is “Let not X boast about his Y” A. The X and Y might be ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mothers: Instruments Of God's Grace

Contributed by Andrew Schroer on May 15, 2001

Through the example of Naomi and Ruth we see the blessings and responsibilities that go along with motherhood, as well as the proper God-pleasing response to our mother’s love.

Today is Mother’s Day, a time to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life to thank our moms for raising us, for loving us, for putting up with us. The “mother” of Mother’s Day is a woman named Anna Jarvis. Two years after the death of her mother, she convinced her church to have a ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Great Is Your Faith!

Contributed by Christopher Martin on Aug 17, 2008

14th Sunday after Pentecost/Proper 15 Series A. Preached at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Audubon, IA on 8/17/2008

“Great is your faith!” How would you feel if I as your Pastor were to tell someone that about you? I’m guessing that you’d think you must be doing something right. And to be honest, I’ve been around you folks long enough now to be able to say that about quite a few of you. Our congregation is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Lutheran

Come Up On The Mountain

Contributed by James May on Jul 24, 2011

We must climb higher in God to catch a true vision of what, and who, God really is. Without that proper vision we stand in danger of perishing,

Come Up On the Mountain Wednesday, July 20, 2011 Pastor James May Why do people love to go up on the mountains? For most of us it is the experience of feeling on top of the world. It is as though you can look down on the world far below and for just a moment, catch a glimpse of how God must ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:18-28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Interpreting The Story Of Cain And Abel

Contributed by Richard Down on Jan 2, 2011

The story of Cain and Abel's sacrifices is well known but often misinterpreted or misused to prove certain pet theories. This presentation considers how a proper understanding may be gained.

The Sacrifices of Cain and Abel. Most Bible readers will be aware of the story of Cain and Abel, a story infamous as the first murder in the Biblical narrative. It’s a story that catches the imagination because just one generation after the first sin in the garden of Eden we already have ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Be A Piece Of The Rock

Contributed by David Roth on Mar 2, 2015

Proper 16 (A). We are fashioned by Christ, who is the rock and cornerstone. Therefore we look to Him instead of to our effort, to be the living stones of His church.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Be a Piece of the Rock” “What!? Have you got rocks in your head?” You have heard that expression before. The implication is that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Love Is Blind

Contributed by David Roth on Jan 13, 2015

Proper 29 (A). Last Sunday of the Church Year. Christ judges the sheep as good and righteous because the sheep live in the Lamb, and His love covers their sin.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. “Love is blind” Today we are observing the Last Sunday of the Church year, also called Christ the King Sunday. And so, the readings are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Render Unto Caesar

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Oct 8, 2020

We often forget the second half of Jesus' statement which is "Render unto God." Sermon for Proper 24 After Pentecost year A

Render unto Caesar Matthew 22:15-22 “Render unto Caesar or as other’s put it “Give Caesar his due” is fairly well known. Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees and Herodians does not stop there, of course. But people in this world are more generally concerned about this world’s matters than the next. They ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Sermon – Remove From Your Place And Go After It! Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 30, 2023

We cannot be successful in the new year without embracing the task at hand, developing a proper attitude, embracing your destiny and the courage to accept the challenge. This is our time.

Sermon – Remove From Your Place and Go After it! Scripture: Joshua 3:1-11 “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-11, Joshua 1:16-18, 1 Peter 3:8-10

Denomination: Methodist