Sermons on A Proper 15:

The Wanderers In The Wilderness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 30, 2022

Having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2.12.

THE WANDERERS IN THE WILDERNESS. Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43. This Psalm is a call to thanksgiving to the LORD, “for He is good: for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). The writer longs that those whom the LORD has redeemed, whom He has redeemed from the hand of enemy - out of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ins And Outs Of Religious Purity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2018

Timeless teaching from Jesus as to the true nature and source of sin.

THE INS AND OUTS OF ‘RELIGIOUS’ PURITY. Mark 7:1-23. Every branch of society has its own traditions: some good, some bad, and some inconsequential. It doesn’t matter whether it is the pomp and ceremony of monarchy, or the ritual ‘pardon’ of a turkey at Thanksgiving. Some traditions are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bread From Heaven.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2022

It is all very well seeking Jesus. But WHY?

THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. John 6:22-35. JOHN 6:22-24. The details of these verses set the scene for the conversation which immediately follows. The people saw the disciples getting into the boat, but had lost sight of Jesus (John 6:22). Meantime other boats had come over from Tiberias to a place ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold The Days Are Coming.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 23, 2022

The restoration of post-exilic Israel, and the new covenant in Christ.

BEHOLD THE DAYS ARE COMING. Jeremiah 31:27-34. “Behold, the Days are Coming.” This is a recurring motif in Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 30:3; Jeremiah 31:27; Jeremiah 31:31; Jeremiah 33:14-15). There is a certainty about it because it is a declaration of the LORD. The time of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unexpected Encounter With God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 2, 2023

A ladder of God's devising, connecting heaven and earth. Prefigures the Cross.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. Genesis 28:10-19a. GENESIS 28:10. Jacob had defrauded his brother Esau of both his birthright and his blessing. So now Jacob was on the run from his brother Esau, headed back in the direction of the city which their grandfather Abraham had left behind so many ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Be Conquerors, Conformed To Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 2, 2017

If God be for us, who can be against us?

CALLED TO BE CONQUERORS, CONFORMED TO CHRIST. Romans 8:26-39. We are, it seems, surrounded by “infirmities” (Romans 8:26). These may be caused by lack of strength (which is what the word means), emotional weakness (including ‘burnout’), financial hardships, sickness, or sin. Paul also speaks of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parable Of The Serving Master.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2023

Be prepared for the return of Jesus at an unexpected time.

PARABLE OF THE SERVING MASTER. Luke 12:32-40. Jesus reminds His “little flock” that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The imperative of Luke 12:33, rightly understood, becomes a marker of where our heart lies (Luke 12:34). We must hold the things of this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Against Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 12, 2019

A court case - with the people of God in the dock.

AGAINST HYPOCRISY. Psalm 50:1-8; Psalm 50:16-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Allure Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2018

Wisdom's plaintive plea. The danger of refusal. A promise to those who will hear.

THE ALLURE OF WISDOM. Proverbs 1:20-33. One day I was out shopping on one of the pedestrianised streets of Norwich, England, when a sudden commotion stopped me in my tracks. The City Crier’s vigorous ringing of his hand-bell, and his cry of ‘Oh Yay! Oh Yay!’ seemed to be right in my ear, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pastoral Heart.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 10, 2020

The gentleness, love and self-sacrifice of a mother.

A PASTORAL HEART. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Having favourably described the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel message (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7), Paul now speaks of that first encounter from the point of view of the messengers. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1. “For you yourselves know, brethren, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteousness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2022

The key word in this stanza of the Psalm is righteous/ righteousness. The word appears five times in the section.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. Psalm 119:137-144. PSALM 119:137. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” “Righteous art thou, O LORD,” is a declaration of the righteousness of God. And because He is righteous, all His “judgments” are “upright,” or “just.” Thus ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:137-144

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 28, 2022

Job looks forward to meeting Jesus at the resurrection of the dead.

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH. Job 19:23-27. JOB 19:23-24. “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed (literally, ‘inscribed’) in a book! That they were graven (literally, ‘engraved’) with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” Something written on a scrap of paper is ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Do's And Don'ts Of Giving Series

Contributed by Rich Dunbar on Feb 8, 2005

This sermon is a lesson on the proper attitude for giving.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Giving – Acts 4:32-5:11 The only thing that will make a Church more upset at a Pastor than talking politics from the pulpit is preaching about giving. Let’s look at two examples of giving from the early Church and identify the Do’s and Don’ts of giving. First let’s look ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Putting God To Work

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

Prayer and conflict reguires proper focus.

Introductory Considerations 1. Friends - we are here this evening to do some work. Our General Synod has started meeting and we have some grave concerns. 2. Main concern is the Formula of Agreement. If passed we would recognize that a church that ordains homosexuals is rightly proclaiming the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:4-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Dress Code For The Church

Contributed by W Pittendreigh on Nov 28, 2003

Clothing ourselves with the proper Christian attitudes

(Note: This sermon was delivered on November 30th, St Andrews Day, which was observed with a Kirkin’ O’ The Tartans at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church). As a true Scott, I love any opportunity to wear my kilt and to celebrate a part of my family heritage. There is something about the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:11-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed