Sermons on A Proper 17:

Anger And Controversy: "What’s It Good For?”

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019

Those who are maturing will see controversy in the proper light, they will respond in a proper manner, and they will use it to God’s glory.

I. We must be servants of the church and of the gospel first. A. We must be servants of God’s people. B. We must be servants to the lost. II. It is inevitable that controversy will come. A. Pride says we deserve to be without controversy. B. Pride will cause us to respond with anger and ...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

I Pray Also For Those Who Will Believe

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

Christ in us, the hope of glory.

THE PRAYER OF JESUS - Part 3. John 17:20-26. In order that His disciples might be sanctified, Jesus gave them the Word (John 17:14). This Word was to be the means of bringing others to the faith (John 17:20). So Jesus prayed for those who would hear the gospel from them - including their ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Honor In The Home Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 31, 2021

Honoring your parents is always proper.

This week I asked parents a question on the Edgewood Facebook page: “What’s the #1 thing you want from your children?” I was struck by the depth of answers along with the longing in the hearts of parents for their children to love and serve the Lord. • To know God and make Him known. • To have ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Israel Exalted.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 17, 2024

Re-establishing the Davidic dynasty through Jesus.

ISRAEL EXALTED. Ezekiel 17:22-24. The word of the LORD came ‘expressly’ to the priest Ezekiel in ‘the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity’ (cf. Ezekiel 1:2-3). Our present chapter is a ‘riddle,’ or an allegory: ‘a parable unto the house of Israel’ (EZEKIEL 17:2). It speaks of two eagles: ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Is On Our Side.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 25, 2024

'This I know; for God is for me' (cf. Psalm 56:9).

WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 1 Samuel 17:32-49. Things had reached an impasse in the territorial struggles between the invading Philistines and Israel. The valley of Elah (cf. 1 Samuel 17:2) was in the south of Israel, and the two armies were set in battle array facing one another, but neither side ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Age Of Nonsense: "The Futility Of Labor" [part Three]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Sep 29, 2016

Passing the baton. Establishing proper motives

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, August 19, 2001 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter An Age of Nonsense: “The Futility of Labor” Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Many competitive sports are designed for the individual athlete [e.g., snow skiing, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

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

The Third Anointing Of David: King Over All Israel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 21, 2024

The LORD of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10.

THE THIRD ANOINTING OF DAVID: KING OVER ALL ISRAEL. 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10. After the LORD had rejected Saul from being king (cf. 1 Samuel 15:23), the LORD sent Samuel to anoint David (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1). The LORD had sought Him ‘a man after His own heart’ (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14), and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things Planned Long Ago

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 31, 2020

The ultimate triumph of the gospel.

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO. Isaiah 25:1-9. This passage begins in song (Isaiah 25:1), and ends in song (Isaiah 25:9), with a feast in between (Isaiah 25:6-8). The first song is a solo, “You are my God” (Isaiah 25:1) and begins with praise to the LORD for “the wonderful things” that He has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Treasure.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2022

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

THE TRUE TREASURE. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 1. A Word To Poor Christians (1 Timothy 6:6-10.) Paul’s response to those who suppose that ‘gain = godliness’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5) is the exact opposite: “But godliness + contentment = great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This contentment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Everlasting Throne

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 14, 2020

Nevertheless: The faithfulness of God.

AN EVERLASTING THRONE Psalm 89:27-37. There is a tension in this Psalm, between the LORD’s promise of an everlasting dynasty for the line of David (Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 89:28), and the complaint of the Psalmist (Psalm 89:38). However, the LORD’s “Nevertheless” (Psalm 89:33) trumps the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 89:27-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rich And Poor In The Church Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

There are no 'untouchables' with God!

RICH AND POOR IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. James 2:1-17. James 2:1. The Greek of this section of the letter of James begins somewhat abruptly: “My brethren, not with partialities!” The impact of the whole sentence is: “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational