Sermons on A Proper 24:

Genuine Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 7, 2020

Another song of agape love.

GENUINE LOVE. Romans 12:9-13. In Greek, the first clause of Romans 12:9 has no verb, so could literally be rendered “love without hypocrisy” or “love unfeigned”. From this, I have taken ‘Genuine Love’ as a title for this section. The second clause talks about evil and good, forming a kind of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-13

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

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

A Journey Back To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2022

The futility of contemplating a life without God.

A JOURNEY BACK TO FAITH. Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. The harder we try to understand the book of Ecclesiastes, the greater the temptation to chime in with the author’s refrain: “all is vanity!” Yet, somewhere along the way, we might realise that it is going ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of God's Word.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 26, 2023

God has written His word upon our hearts, and inclines our wills to keeping it.

THE LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD. Psalm 119:105-112. PSALM 119:105. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The word of God, the Bible, is totally reliable (cf. Hebrews 4:12). The Psalmist unreservedly relies upon it. Furthermore, Jesus is the Word (cf. John 1:1), and He is the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sampling Some Parables.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 3, 2023

Have ye understood all these things? Matthew 13:51.

SAMPLING SOME PARABLES. Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52. I. The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32). This Sermon had its roots in a children’s address given long ago and far away. At that time I was interested (for all the best practical reasons) in gardening. I brought some seeds as a visual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Remember, Remember.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 17, 2023

“REMEMBER His marvellous works that He hath done” (Psalm 105:5.) “He hath REMEMBERED His covenant” (Psalm 105:8).

REMEMBER, REMEMBER. Psalm 105:1-11, Psalm 105:45b. PSALM 105:1. There is a call to “give thanks to the LORD.” It is always appropriate to remember and acknowledge the LORD’s gracious dealings with us. Then there is an exhortation to “call upon His name.” We offer our praise and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-11, Psalm 105:45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Providence Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 22, 2023

Praise and thanksgiving for the LORD's hitherto hidden mercies.

THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:16-22, Psalm 105:45b. PSALM 105:1. There is a call to “give thanks to the LORD.” It is always appropriate to remember and acknowledge the LORD’s gracious dealings with us. Then there is an exhortation to “call upon His name.” We offer our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:16-22, Psalm 105:45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The War Against Sin. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 2, 2023

Sin begins in the heart, and from thence proceeds out of the mouth, thus defiling the man.

THE WAR AGAINST SIN. Matthew 15:10-20. MATTHEW 15:10-11. Jesus turned away from the Pharisees and summoned the crowd to Himself. “Hear and understand,” He taught. Despite what the Pharisees might teach, “it is NOT that which goes into the mouth which defiles a man; but that which comes out of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

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

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

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

A Prayer Of David.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 11, 2023

The LORD is a very present help in time of need.

A PRAYER OF DAVID. Psalm 86:1-10, Psalm 86:16-17. PSALM 86:1. Whatever troubles the Psalmist was facing, he recognises two things: the greatness of the LORD (YHWH), and his own smallness. Such is his humility when he asks the LORD to “Bow down (His) ear” to such a one as is “poor and needy.” The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-10, Psalm 86:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational