Sermons on A Proper 23:

A Passion For The Ancient People Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 5, 2017

Setting the scene for the whole discussion of Romans 9-11, Paul finds himself astonished at his own people's failure to embrace Christ.

A PASSION FOR GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE. Romans 9:1-5. From the dizzy heights of Romans 8:28-39, the Apostle Paul seems to suddenly hit an unprecedented low in Romans 9:1-5. The crescendo of the previous glorious chapter meets the jarring note of Paul’s passion for his own people - God’s ancient ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Note Of Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 21, 2019

An apt overture to the crescendo of Praise with which the Psalter ends!

A NOTE OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-5; Psalm 145:17-21. A lone voice opens the Psalm: “I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2). ‘Generations’ shall praise and declare (Psalm 145:4); “I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6). The word ‘men’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5, Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vow To Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2020

David's Psalm of praise.

A VOW TO PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-8. The Psalmist David, speaking on our behalf, makes a vow to bless the name of the LORD “forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1); “Every day” to bless Him; to praise His name “for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). This is the only Psalm in the book with the words “of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Managing Money Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 27, 2025

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21).

WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP? MATTHEW 6:19-33 1. “The proper management of our time, talents and treasures for the glory of God. 2. What are other names for a steward? a. Baseball player: agent. b. Your money: financial planner. c. Buying a house: realtor. d. Corporation: CEO or COO. Today’s lesson asks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-33

Denomination: Baptist

The All-Encompassing Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 18, 2020

I the LORD do all these things

THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. Isaiah 45:1-7. This chapter opens with the astonishing reference to Cyrus, King of Persia, as the LORD’s “anointed” - literally, “messiah” (Isaiah 45:1). It is designed to shock us with the fact that the LORD not only uses Gentiles to fulfil His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Complaint And Restoration.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 29, 2023

God’s purposes are in no way thwarted by persecution, but rather, somewhat ironically, helped forward by the sufferers’ steadfastness.

COMPLAINT AND RESTORATION. Jeremiah 15:15-21. This is one of the laments of Jeremiah. There is a complaint here (Jeremiah 15:15-18), and also a reply from the LORD (Jeremiah 15:19-21). JEREMIAH 15:15. The prophet is bold in his approach: “O LORD, thou knowest.” The LORD does know all our ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Bold Approach.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 29, 2023

Praying as those who are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

A BOLD APPROACH. Psalm 26:1-8. We do not know what specific trouble that David was facing in PSALM 26, but it has all the hallmarks of a man pleading his case before God based on his INTEGRITY. Unfortunately, this is sometimes translated as blamelessness, which all sounds very arrogant and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Recommissioning Of Ezekiel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2023

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

THE RECOMMISSIONING OF EZEKIEL. Ezekiel 33:7-11. EZEKIEL 33:7. The prophet Ezekiel had first been commissioned by the LORD to be a “a watchman” for “the house of Israel” back in Ezekiel 3:17. This is now a renewal of that commission. Again the warning comes from the LORD. EZEKIEL 33:8. As a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Transitory Life And A Better Prospect.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 7, 2023

Mortal man seeks divine assurance.

A TRANSITORY LIFE AND A BETTER PROSPECT. Psalm 90:1-6, Psalm 90:13-17. 1. A Transitory Life. Psalm 90:1. It is remarkable that the children of Israel survived 400 years in Egypt, and for some of that time under unspeakable oppression. Yet despite their hard labour and sorrow, the LORD had been ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-6, Psalm 90:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Let Us Sing Unto The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 8, 2023

This is serious worship, with its focus upon who the LORD is (the Rock), and who He is to us (the rock of our salvation).

LET US SING UNTO THE LORD. Psalm 95:1-7a. In days gone by not everybody who gathered in our churches could read, so it was useful to learn things by rote. So when the praise-leader sang “O Come let us sing unto the LORD” (Psalm 95:1), the congregation knew to join in the singing of Psalm 95. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Strange Land.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2022

Strangers and pilgrims in this world.

A STRANGE LAND. Psalm 137. The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. ...read more

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

A City Of Habitation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 31, 2020

From a trackless wilderness to a City to dwell in.

A CITY OF HABITATION Psalm 107:1-7; Psalm 107:33-37. 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 east, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-7, Psalm 107:33-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mammon Of The Prophets.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 19, 2023

They may as well cover their lips since they had nothing to say from God.

THE MAMMON OF THE PROPHETS. Micah 3:5-12. Jesus said, ‘Ye cannot serve God and Mammon’ (cf. Matthew 6:24). Yet this was what “the prophets” of Prophet Micah’s day were trying to do: they would preach “Peace” to those who fed them, but would “prepare war” against those who “putteth not into ...read more

Scripture: Micah 3:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Procession Of The Church.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 11, 2023

The marriage feast of the Lamb.

THE PROCESSION OF THE CHURCH. Psalm 45:10-17. Psalm 45:2-9 was addressed to the King. Now Psalm 45:10-16 is addressed to the queen. The queen stands for the Church (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9). The Church is addressed as “daughter” (Psalm 45:10a). ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational