Sermons on A Proper 29:

Things Planned Long Ago

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 31, 2020

The ultimate triumph of the gospel.

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO. Isaiah 25:1-9. This passage begins in song (Isaiah 25:1), and ends in song (Isaiah 25:9), with a feast in between (Isaiah 25:6-8). The first song is a solo, “You are my God” (Isaiah 25:1) and begins with praise to the LORD for “the wonderful things” that He has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 26, 2020

Perhaps you have played the childhood game, Ring Around the Rosie.

Ashes, Ashes, We All Fall Down Matthew 6: 1 - 6 Intro: Do you remember as a child singing “Ring Around The Rosie”? It is unknown what the earliest version of the rhyme was or when it began. The game has a group of children form a ring, dance in a circle around a person, and stoop or fall to the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Inclusiveness Of The Church Age

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 20, 2020

ALL who are in Christ Jesus are accepted by God. We have no right to refuse any whom God has received.

THE INCLUSIVENESS OF THE CHURCH AGE. Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 56:6-8. The idea here seems to be that the community of God’s people should “preserve justice and do righteousness” (Isaiah 56:1). The reason is not far to seek: “for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed”. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 56:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Israel Exalted.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 17, 2024

Re-establishing the Davidic dynasty through Jesus.

ISRAEL EXALTED. Ezekiel 17:22-24. The word of the LORD came ‘expressly’ to the priest Ezekiel in ‘the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity’ (cf. Ezekiel 1:2-3). Our present chapter is a ‘riddle,’ or an allegory: ‘a parable unto the house of Israel’ (EZEKIEL 17:2). It speaks of two eagles: ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For The King.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 23, 2024

The LORD accept thy burnt sacrifice. Psalm 20.3.

A PRAYER FOR THE KING. Psalm 20:1-9. Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John and instructed them to ‘watch’ with Him (cf. Matthew 26:38), and to ‘watch and pray’ (cf. Matthew 26:41). I wonder what prayers they might have made on His behalf if their sleepy heads could have stayed awake long ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Is On Our Side.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 25, 2024

'This I know; for God is for me' (cf. Psalm 56:9).

WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 1 Samuel 17:32-49. Things had reached an impasse in the territorial struggles between the invading Philistines and Israel. The valley of Elah (cf. 1 Samuel 17:2) was in the south of Israel, and the two armies were set in battle array facing one another, but neither side ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Love Of Jonathan And The Resentment Of Saul.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2024

Jonathan confirmed the kingship of David by clothing him in the regalia of the Crown Prince; whereas Saul confirmed the kingship of David by putting him in the forefront of the battle.

THE LOVE OF JONATHAN AND THE RESENTMENT OF SAUL. 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16. It was evidently quite difficult for Saul to recognise in the giant slayer the same young man who had been serving at court as his own personal music therapist (1 SAMUEL 17:57-58; cf. 1 Samuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Third Anointing Of David: King Over All Israel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 21, 2024

The LORD of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10.

THE THIRD ANOINTING OF DAVID: KING OVER ALL ISRAEL. 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10. After the LORD had rejected Saul from being king (cf. 1 Samuel 15:23), the LORD sent Samuel to anoint David (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1). The LORD had sought Him ‘a man after His own heart’ (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14), and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sanctity Of The Sabbath.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 8, 2023

Nobody should be required to work more than six days a week.

THE SANCTITY OF THE SABBATH. Deuteronomy 5:12-15. The Sabbath is to be “kept” and “sanctified” (i.e. set apart for God) - as the LORD our God has commanded (DEUTERONOMY 5:12). It is to be ‘remembered’ (cf. Exodus 20:8) - which implies that it was already known about prior to the giving of the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Egypt To Canaan.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2023

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

FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN. Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45. 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 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrong Fear And Right Fear Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2023

FEAR NOT for God is come to prove you that His FEAR may be before your faces, THAT YE SIN NOT. Exodus 20 verse 20.

WRONG FEAR AND RIGHT FEAR OF GOD. Exodus 20:1-4, Exodus 20:7-9, Exodus 20:12-20. 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 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4, Exodus 20:7-9, Exodus 20:12-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Presence And Glory Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 6, 2023

Having asked the LORD to “show me now thy way,” Moses next waxed bold to ask, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.”

THE PRESENCE AND GLORY OF THE LORD. Exodus 33:12-23. 1. Show Me Thy Way (Exodus 33:12-17). EXODUS 33:12. Earlier in the chapter the LORD had said: ‘Go up hence, thou and the people… unto the land which I sware unto Abraham… I will send an angel before thee (cf. Exodus 33:1-2). Yet Moses now ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Model Of Spiritual Warfare.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 23, 2023

Speaking as a prophetess, Deborah gave Barak a directive from the LORD.

A MODEL OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Judges 4:1-7. JUDGES 4:1-2. At the very outset of this short passage we discover that war MIGHT come against the LORD’s people as a direct result of their sin. This simple fact is echoed throughout the book of Judges: “And the children of Israel again did evil in ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational