Sermons on A Proper 23:

Faith And Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The practical faith of Rahab stands in contrast to the platitudes of the person who sent the hungry empty away, and failed to clothe the naked.

FAITH AND WORKS. James 2:14-26. A person is making what seems to be a credible claim to “faith” - but (as yet) there is no evidence in their lives of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. They seem to have all the right words, but (so far) “works” are lacking. James 2:14. What is the profit in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

You Have Found Favor With God Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

Continuing Christmas series. Looks at Mary as a proper response to what would ordinarily terrify us.

Mary didn’t just suddenly appear on the earth. She was born, just like any other baby girl. She wasn’t from a thriving center of commerce and wealth. She was from a little town in the region of Galilee - a town where someone asked, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” We know something ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Unwrapping Gems In Malachi

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 15, 2020

The love of God is set to avert the curse.

UNWRAPPING GEMS IN MALACHI The “burden” of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi is “I have loved you” (MALACHI 1:1-2). Why has the LORD set His love on His people? Well, according to Moses, He loves us because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)! It is not our love to God that saves us, but ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:5-6, Malachi 3:16-18, Malachi 3:10-12, Malachi 3:6, Malachi 3:1-4, Malachi 2:7, Malachi 1:11, Malachi 1:5, Malachi 4:2, Malachi 1:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Walking In The Spirit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 30, 2019

Sowing to the flesh versus sowing to the Spirit.

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT. Galatians 6:1-16. ‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit,’ said Paul towards the end of the previous chapter (Galatians 5:25). The Greek word translated here as ‘walk’ speaks of our deliberately ‘getting in line with’ the Holy Spirit’s leading in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Stirring In The Heart Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 11, 2019

It is a mystery, but our unchangeable God wants us to understand that He is not without compassion.

A STIRRING IN THE HEART OF GOD. Hosea 11:1-11. Through His speaking in the first person, and in what He says, this chapter offers us a unique view of the tenderness of the LORD toward His people (Hosea 11:1a). Moses reminded the people that the LORD ‘did not set His love upon’ them for any ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Plans Of Man And Purposes Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 10, 2015

A man’s plans may be one thing (Proverbs 16:9), but it is God’s purposes that prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

MAN’S PLANS AND GOD’S PURPOSES. Ruth 3:1-5; Ruth 4:13-17. The days of the judges (Ruth 1:1) were turbulent times. ‘There was no king in the land, and everybody did what was right in his own sight’ (Judges 21:25). Anarchy ruled, and God disciplined His people through cycles of invasion, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-5, Ruth 4:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is Tithing A Mandate Or Human Tradition?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 10, 2025

This message takes an honest and impartial look at what the Bible says about Tithing, what it was, its biblical history, and how and why it was implemented.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NIV) Too many Christians feel guilty and Tithe out of obligation rather than love. Some ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8, Matthew 6:19-24, Malachi 3:6-12, Mark 12:41-44, John 10:12-13, Luke 20:46, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 6:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Do All To The Glory Of God Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Oct 30, 2011

In today's lesson we learn some practical directions regarding the proper use of our Christian liberty.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the issue of Christian liberty. I smiled recently when I read about Charlie Brown, the main character of the Peanuts ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Knowing The Unknowable.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

The Cross-shaped love of Christ.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE. Ephesians 3:14-21. The “For this reason” of Ephesians 3:14 echoes Ephesians 3:1, and picks up the thread of thought that was left there. This follows Paul’s contemplation of the reconciliation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). Jesus, by His own ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Coming Into The Kingdom

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Sep 26, 2002

A sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 21 A Sermon about being in the kingdom of God

  19th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 21 Matthew 21:23-32 "Coming Into the Kingdom 23* ¶ And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24* ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-32

Denomination: Lutheran

An Excellent Wife Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 29, 2015

1) The basic matter of the submission (Ephesians 5:22a), then with its 2) Manner & Motive (Ephesians 5:22b-23a), as well as the 3) Model (Ephesians 5:23b-24).

For the past several hundred years western society has been bombarded with the humanistic, egalitarian, sexless, classless philosophy that was the dominant force behind the French Revolution. The blurring and even total removal of all human distinctions continues to be masterminded by Satan so as ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Other

Aiming Your Kids

Contributed by Douglas Bryan on Jun 20, 2005

A parent’s responsibility is to aim their kids in the direction they should go and then willingly release them when the proper time comes. However, parents must first have a proper relationship with God because they cannot share with their kids what they

AIMING YOUR KIDS Psalm 127:1-5 INTRODUCTION: A. Have you ever considered shooting your kids? Maybe I should rephrase that! Have you ever considered that you as a parent have the responsibility to shoot your kids in the direction they should go–similar to a hunter shooting an arrow in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Call Of Samuel And The Fall Of Eli.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 10, 2023

A young boy called into the service of God. An old priestly family rejected.

THE CALL OF SAMUEL AND THE FALL OF ELI. 1 Samuel 3:1-20. I). HE IS CALLING YOU BY NAME. 1 Samuel 3:1-10. The days of the Saviour-Judges were drawing to a close and, as in our own days, “the word of the LORD was rare” (1 Samuel 3:1). There was a dearth in the land, but not a famine of bread, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Compassion And Grace

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 8, 2014

With difficult, unrelated scripture, can we see the influence of the Holy Spirit at work, and hear what he has to say. His message in this these verses are clearly ones of compassion and grace; a message we need to be aware.

Title: Compassion and Grace Word Count: 1748 Summary: With difficult, unrelated scripture, can we see the influence of the Holy Spirit at work, and hear what he has to say. His message in this these verses are clearly ones of compassion and grace; a message we need to be aware. This sermon ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Episcopal

Problems With Priorities

Contributed by Stephen E. Trail on Apr 25, 2016

A message that speaks to the issue of our priorities and how to get them right.

Problems with Priorities Matthew 6:24-34 Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. ILL - Introduction: This morning the Lord has led me to this message concerning the issues that we all have with establishing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:24-34

Denomination: Baptist