Sermons on A Proper 18:

The Song Of The Vineyard

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 7, 2017

A best man's love song at a wedding turns out to be a dirge.

THE SONG OF THE VINEYARD. Isaiah 5:1-7. The first thing that we may notice about this passage, is Isaiah’s relationship with the LORD (Isaiah 5:1). The prophet is speaking for the remnant of Israel, and calls the LORD his Beloved. This echoes the language of Song of Solomon 2:16, where the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Amazing Grace For Backsliding Believers

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 1, 2021

The LORD also hath put away thy sin - 2 Samuel 12:13.

AMAZING GRACE FOR BACKSLIDING BELIEVERS. 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 2 Samuel 12:1-15. It is not my purpose at this time to go into all the sordid details of David’s sin with Bathsheba, and his subsequent conspiracy to murder her husband. All this is explicit in chapters 11 and 12 of second Samuel. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 2 Samuel 12:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Rest Only In God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 16, 2021

The Christian faith, after all, is deeply personal. When we abide in Christ, we rest in God.

OUR REST ONLY IN GOD. Psalm 84:1-4. At the end of the celebration of Passover, in Jewish homes scattered throughout the world, the parting toast is, ‘Next year in Jerusalem!’ The sentiment echoes a common consciousness, a restlessness if you will, which is forever drawing God’s people back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Hope And Trust”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 17, 2002

June 23, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 7 Psalm 69:8-11 [12-17] 18-20 (NRSV: 7-10 [11-15] 16-18) Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind. (Ps. 69:18) Color: Green Title: “Hope and trust”

June 23, 2002 -- FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 7 Psalm 69:8-11 [12-17] 18-20 (NRSV: 7-10 [11-15] 16-18) Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind. (Ps. 69:18) Color: Green Title: “Hope and trust” The heading of this psalm attributes it to David, but Jeremiah could have written it, so ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:1-37

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bread Of Life (Complete)

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 30, 2013

From the feeding of the 5000 to the breaking of the Bread.

THE BREAD OF LIFE. John 6:1-15; John 6:25-35; John 6:47-69. 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, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-35, John 6:1-15, John 6:47-69

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Moving From Victim To Victor

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Apr 15, 2014

The First Step in moving from victom to victor is admit our weakness-The secolnd thing David did is pursue after God

MOVING FROM VICTIM TO VICTOR Psalms 18:1-5 Psalms 18:1-5 1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. 2 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 18:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Plumb-Line Test.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 3, 2018

Aligning ourselves with God, as opposed to going against His Word.

THE PLUMB-LINE TEST. Amos 7:7-17. When I was at High School, we were building a garage. We were taught how to mix mortar, lay bricks, and to check everything was lined up straight with a plumb-line. The work had been begun by those of the Year above mine: but in mid-January 1968 ‘Hurricane ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:7-17, Amos 7:7-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Bother?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Aug 3, 2001

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?”

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?” Written probably about three centuries before Christ, the Book of Ecclesiastes marks an advance over the doctrine of divine retribution. Simplistically put, that doctrine stated that ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Sour Grapes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2020

From blame to shame. A call to repentance.

SOUR GRAPES. Ezekiel 18:1-4; Ezekiel 18:25-32. It seems to be very much a part of fallen human nature that we want to blame someone else for the things that go wrong in our lives. This all began in the garden of Eden, after the first couple ate of the forbidden fruit. Adam blamed both his ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-4, Ezekiel 18:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Son Of Laughter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 6, 2023

Is anything too hard for the LORD?

THE SON OF LAUGHTER. Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7. 1. The promise (Genesis 18:1-15). This passage is described as an encounter in which “the LORD” (= YHWH, Hebrew) “appeared unto” Abraham when he was having his siesta “in the heat of the day.” When he lifted up his head, suddenly, there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

16th Sunday After Pentecost. September 13th, 2026. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2023

Year A, Proper 19.

Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 114:1-8, Exodus 15:1-11, Exodus 15:20-21, Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:1-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 A). A PATH THROUGH THE SEA. Exodus 14:19-31. EXODUS 14:19a. The “Angel of God” removed Himself from ‘going before’ the people and “went behind them.” We see here, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31, Psalm 114:1-8, Exodus 15:1-11, Exodus 15:20-21, Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:1-13, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Reactions

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2020

How to overcome evil with good.

CHRISTIAN REACTIONS. Romans 12:14-21. Romans 12:14. The positive imperative is to “bless” those who persecute us. This is similar to the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). The supreme example is that of Jesus Himself (1 Peter 2:21-23). This partly involved Jesus praying for His ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Problem Of Indwelling Sin.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2023

Sin uses the law against us; but our victory lies not in ourselves but in the risen Lord Jesus.

THE PROBLEM OF INDWELLING SIN. Romans 7:15-25a. In the first half of Romans 7:14, Paul speaks in the second person plural: ‘For WE know that the law is spiritual.’ Then, from the second half of the verse, Paul changes to the first person singular, ‘I’ – ‘but I am carnal, sold under (or a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:15-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Justice And Righteousness Better Than Rituals

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 19, 2020

The danger of worship without mercy.

JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BETTER THAN RITUALS. Amos 5:18-24. Historically, Israel had split into two kingdoms shortly after the death of king David’s son, king Solomon. The ten tribes of the north rejected both the dynasty of David, and the worship of the Jerusalem temple, and set up their ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Silence

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 22, 2020

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

A CALL TO SILENCE. Zephaniah 1:7; Zephaniah 1:12-18. Speaking during the reign of king Josiah of Judah, Zephaniah spends a lot of energy outlining a universal judgment against the whole earth (Zephaniah 1:1-3), INCLUDING Judah and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 1:4-6). “Hold thy peace,” he cries, “for ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:7, Zephaniah 1:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational