Sermons on A Proper 23:

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

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

Come Let Us Return Unto The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 26, 2023

Pressing on to know the LORD.

COME LET US RETURN TO THE LORD. Hosea 5:15, Hosea 6:1-6. HOSEA 5:15. This verse contains the words of the LORD. He is withdrawing from His wayward people until such time as they will acknowledge their sin, and seek His face. HOSEA 6:1a. The appeal of Hosea is, “Come, and let us return to the ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 5:15, Hosea 6:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

About Formalism In Worship.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 31, 2023

It is not good when our worship is nothing more than a formality, rather than an engagement with the One whom we are supposedly worshipping.

ABOUT FORMALISM IN WORSHIP. Psalm 50:7-15. Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears as a court case, with El Elohim Yahweh, “the Mighty God the LORD” (cf. Psalm 50:1) presiding as Judge (cf. Psalm 50:6) - and God’s covenant people in the dock (cf. Psalm 50:5). Here the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:7-15

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

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

From Egypt To Canaan. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 20, 2025

The holy God remembered His covenant with Abraham, and kept His holy promise.

FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN. Psalm 105:37-45. (i). The Exodus. PSALM 105:37. After the smiting of the firstborn in Egypt, the LORD brought forth His people with both wealth and wellness (cf. 3 John 1:2). The Egyptians sacked their own houses in order to provide the children of Israel with some back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:37-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous And The Wicked. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 6, 2024

Two lifestyles, two destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous And The Wicked

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2013

Two distinct lifestyles. Two eternal destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Waiting In Hope

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 16, 2017

An ascent out of the depths.

WAITING IN HOPE. Psalm 130. This Psalm is a song of ascent: “Out of the depths” (Psalm 130:1). The Latin language captures the intensity of the situation: “De profundis” (from which we have the English word ‘profundity’, meaning ‘a great depth or intensity of state, quality or emotion’). We’ve ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vision Of Salvation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2013

Mercy and truth meet together, & righteousness and peace embrace - in the Cross of Jesus Christ.

A VISION OF SALVATION. Psalm 85. First, the Psalmist remembers the favour and forgiveness of the LORD (Psalm 85:1-3). This is a good place to begin in our petitions to God, rather than diving into our shopping list of requests. We base our belief that God will give us a favourable answer in His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Pilgrim Way.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 17, 2021

The LORD's leading in the pilgrimage of this life.

THIS PILGRIM WAY. Psalm 84:1-12. 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 84:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lesson 23. The Source Of Worldliness (James 4:1-10) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 3, 2021

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Text: James 4:1-3 (NIV) [part 1] 1. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2. You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Personal Price Tag Of Being A Social Climber Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 24, 2015

If you desire to be among the prestigious members of society, you have to pay a steeper price than meets the eye; to climb socially, you may have to drop spiritually. Yet there are a few other reasons to question social climbing.

The Personal Price Tag of Being A Social Climber (Proverbs 23:1-8) 1. In her book, The Overspent American, Harvard professor Juliet Schor informs us most people are concerned about social status, but they live in denial. 2. She claims they rationalize to themselves they need a new car because ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible