Sermons on A Proper 19:

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

Living The Gospel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 24, 2021

The practical outworking of our relationship with the Father of lights

LIVING THE GOSPEL. James 1:17-27. James has already indicated that our God is a generous Giver (James 1:5). Here he cites God as the inexhaustible source of “every good act of giving, and every perfect gift” (James 1:17a). There is not so much as a shadow cast as a result of any ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trusting God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

Our refuge is in the LORD.

TRUSTING GOD. Psalm 91:9-16. Christians under persecution have testified to the literal truth of Psalm 91:9-10 – but this does not alter the fact that Christians still do suffer. There are times when God does not deliver us FROM things, but rather delivers us IN things (Romans 8:37). The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sun Of Righteousness Shall Arise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 4, 2022

A prophecy of the incarnation of Jesus.

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL ARISE. Malachi 4:1-2. There was a remnant in the days of Malachi who reverenced the LORD and remained loyal to Him (Malachi 3:16-18). Those who revere the LORD are remembered by the LORD and are made up as His jewels. And when He returns, He shall discern ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Speaks Of Marriage, And Blesses The Young Children.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 16, 2024

From One Flesh (Mark 2:8) to a Child-like Faith (Mark 2:15).

JESUS SPEAKS OF MARRIAGE, AND BLESSES THE YOUNG CHILDREN. Mark 2:2-16. (I). A NAUGHTY QUESTION. Mark 10:2-12. The Pharisees’ question about divorce was worse than mischievous in that it, like many of their questions addressed to Jesus, was asked with the intention of “tempting” Jesus into ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:2-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Great Throng Of Returning Exiles.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

I will lead them.

A GREAT THRONG OF RETURNING EXILES. Jeremiah 31:7-9. This song calls us to gladness for Jacob (Jeremiah 31:7). Jacob is referred to as the chief - or foremost - of the nations (Jeremiah 31:7). This did not square with the present experience of either Ephraim or Judah - scattered and in exile - ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

The Parable Of The Unjust Steward.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2022

The unjust steward is not commended for his fraud, but for his thinking on his feet.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Words Which Your Eyes Have Seen.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 20, 2021

A whole life commitment.

THE WORDS WHICH YOUR EYES HAVE SEEN. Deuteronomy 4:1-2; Deuteronomy 4:6-9. The Greek title of this book, ‘Deuteronomy’ is translated as ‘the second giving of the law’. Israel has had a great history with their God, being ‘brought forth out of the furnace of Egypt to be unto HIM a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:6-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Mighty God? Well, Duh!

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Sep 6, 2007

God reveals Himself in a mighty way through His creation. He gives us a proper perspective of ourselves and a proper perspective of the universe.

Charlie Brown and Lucy and Linus are lying on the ground, looking up into the sky. Lucy says, "If you use your imagination, you can see lots of things in the cloud formations. What do you think you see, Linus?" Linus responds, "Well, those clouds up there look like the map of the British Honduras ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

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

Justification By Grace Through Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 18, 2025

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

JUSTIFICATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. Romans 3:22-28. Paul contrasts the righteousness of God with the unrighteousness and self-righteousness of man (cf. Romans 3:21). ROMANS 3:22. Righteousness is not something which we can accomplish, but rather comes as a free gift from God through faith in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fourfold Hallelujah

Contributed by Victor Yap on Jan 6, 2025

Revelation 19

FOURFOLD HALELLUJAH (REVELATION 19) Queen Elizabeth and her bodyguard once met an American hiker who did not recognize her in the hills near her Scottish castle at Balmoral. The hiker asked the queen, “Where do you live?” to which she said, “London, but I have a holiday home just over the hill ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Whose Fault Is It?

Contributed by Victor Yap on Mar 17, 2025

John 19

WHOSE FAULT IS IT? (JOHN 19:1-15) In the days of the Civil War, it was illegal to trade in cotton; but many unscrupulous speculators tried to buy cotton in the South, run it through the Union lines, and sell it at great profit in the North. One of these speculators approached a Mississippi ...read more

Scripture: John 19:1-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible