Sermons on A Proper 26:

Jesus, The Man Of Sorrows

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 20, 2016

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus (Acts 8:35).

JESUS, THE MAN OF SORROWS. Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – Fourth Servant Song. 1. The introduction to this prophecy of the Passion of Jesus begins not with His humiliation, but with His exaltation (Isaiah 52:13). The letter to the Hebrews speaks of Jesus, ‘who for the joy that was set before Him endured ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12, Isaiah 52:13-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Persistent Petitionary Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 15, 2016

Jesus emphasises the importance, validity and efficacy of persistent petitionary prayer. The basis of our prayer is our relationship with God.

PERSISTENT PETITIONARY PRAYER. Luke 11:1-13. It all began with Jesus at prayer, and with the disciples’ desire to learn from Jesus how to pray (Luke 11:1). Surprisingly, we are encouraged to pray in much the same terms as Jesus Himself. Our address towards God is to be one of familial ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Mindsets, Two Roads, Two Destinies

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 5, 2016

The present state of the believer is one of hope.

TWO MINDSETS, TWO ROADS, TWO DESTINIES. Romans 8:6-11. This short passage describes two states of mind: literally, “the mind of the flesh (which is) death”; and “the mind of the Spirit (which is) life and peace” (Romans 8:6). These are two quite distinct mindsets, which lead to two differing ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:6-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ten Commandments

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 12, 2013

In the LORD's schoolroom, the pass-mark is 100% - so contemplating the Law of God, summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments, should drive us to Christ as our only hope!

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Exodus 20:1-17. The first thing that we notice about the Ten Commandments is that they are the words of God (Exodus 20:1). Secondly we notice that the LORD is the God who has redeemed us (Exodus 20:2). It is not the keeping of the Ten Commandments which saves us: salvation ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pursuing The Mark

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 20, 2013

Paul the persecutor was turned into Paul the pursuer. The Christian life is not static, but vigorously active.

PURSUING THE MARK. Philippians 3:4-14. The starter’s line for this passage is the Apostle Paul’s polemic against false teachers, whose confidence lies in the flesh (Philippians 3:2-4). “The flesh” here represents self-help religion, which stands contrary to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

End Times Obedience

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 17, 2013

How to live in the in-between times.

END TIMES OBEDIENCE. Romans 13:11-14. Context: Romans 12:1-15:13 is the practical application of the statement “The just shall live by faith” established so thoroughly in Romans 1-8. Those who have been made righteous through faith are not to live any longer in the ways of the world, but to be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Song Of Consolation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 9, 2013

A new exodus: the voice of joy.

A SONG OF CONSOLATION. Jeremiah 31:7-14. Jeremiah envisages a time of rebuilding for all Israel (Jeremiah 31:4). Mentioning the mountains of Samaria (Jeremiah 31:5), he speaks of a day when the watchmen of Ephraim will encourage their people to return to Zion (Jeremiah 31:6) - representing not ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Another Sad Song Of The Vineyard

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 24, 2014

Are we about to reject the Rock of our salvation?

ANOTHER SAD SONG OF THE VINEYARD. Matthew 21:33-46. The vineyard is a well-known motif for Israel (cf. Isaiah 5:7). We saw it in the parable of the labourers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), and in the example of the two sons whose father asked them to go and work in his vineyard (Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Garden

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 28, 2014

Man in the image of God, man in the Garden.

THE GARDEN. Genesis 2:4-25. In Genesis 1 we saw Creation from the cosmological viewpoint of God. The expression “These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth” in Genesis 2:4 links the seeming remoteness of God in the earlier account with the intimacy of the Garden, viewing Creation ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Confess And Believe

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 21, 2013

Made righteous through the righteousness of Jesus, which we receive by faith in Him. Whoever believes in Jesus shall not be ashamed. Whoever calls upon His name will be saved. Sincere faith leads to public confession of Christ.

CONFESS AND BELIEVE. Romans 10:9. According to a Roman historian, the Emperor Claudius ordered all the Jews to leave Rome after public disorders caused by the preaching of the claims of Jesus Christ in the synagogues. This fact is echoed in the Scriptures, where we find the Jewish Christian ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hard Calling

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2018

It is hard preaching to hard heads and hard hearts.

A HARD CALLING. Ezekiel 2:1-5. In times gone by, and in certain places and professions still, it was taken for granted that children would follow in the trade of their fathers. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, would have known from an early age that they were going to be fishermen. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

We Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 15, 2018

While God is preparing us for this house, Jesus is preparing this house for us.

WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1. The first thing that strikes us about this passage is the continuity between the Old Testament and the New. Paul finds his warrant to preach embedded in the book of Psalms: ‘I believed, therefore I spoke. I am greatly afflicted’ (Psalm 116:10). ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Expectations For Godly Living-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 21, 2023

1 of 6. Titus was exhorted by the apostle Paul, to expose God’s people to the expectations for godly living. All God’s people are answerable to His expectations for godly living. But, What are some expectations for godly living by God’s people?

EXPECTATIONS For GODLY LIVING-I—Titus 2:1-15 Attention: Use Your Elbows: A Grandmother was giving directions to her grown grandson who was coming with his wife, to visit her for the first time in her new place: She told him, “You come to the front door of the apartment complex. I live in ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15, Titus 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

"Praise”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 30, 2002

July 7, 2002 -- SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 9 Psalm 145:8-15 (Psalm 145:8-14 NRSV) Color: Green Title: “Praise”

July 7, 2002 -- SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 9 Psalm 145:8-15 (Psalm 145:8-14 NRSV) Color: Green Title: “Praise” This is an alphabetic, each succeeding verse begins with the subsequent letter of the alphabet, song of praise. Verse thirteen, has the “m” and “n” lines “ in one verse, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Why Bother?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Aug 3, 2001

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?”

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?” Written probably about three centuries before Christ, the Book of Ecclesiastes marks an advance over the doctrine of divine retribution. Simplistically put, that doctrine stated that ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran