Sermons on Arthur C Clarke:

The Conversion Of The Apostle Paul

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

If there is hope for the greatest of sinners, then there is hope for every one of us.

THE CONVERSION OF THE APOSTLE PAUL. Acts 9:1-22. Saul of Tarsus was a Jew from the city of Tarsus in Syria. This was a Roman garrison city, and as a tent-maker Saul had a good market for his trade. Quite possibly Saul’s father had been a tent-maker too, and Saul is known to have been born into ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Basket Of Ripe Summer Fruit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2019

Seek God, do justice - before it is too late.

A BASKET OF RIPE SUMMER FRUIT. Amos 8:1-12. This vision and its interpretation is based in a pun: the Hebrew word for “Summer fruit” sounds almost identical with the word translated “the end” (Amos 8:1-2). Read Amos 4:6-11 for a litany of the temporal judgments which the LORD laid upon ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Against Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 12, 2019

A court case - with the people of God in the dock.

AGAINST HYPOCRISY. Psalm 50:1-8; Psalm 50:16-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:16-23

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

Jesus Returns To Bethany.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 12, 2022

Mary, Lazarus, and Jesus in the spotlight.

JESUS RETURNS TO BETHANY. John 12:1-11. As the Passover drew near, Jesus set out once again towards Jerusalem, and stopped awhile in Bethany. This was the place, the writer reminds us, “where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom Jesus raised from the dead” (John 12:1). The ever-busy Martha ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Royal Nativity. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 18, 2022

The most significant census of all history.

A ROYAL NATIVITY. Luke 2:1-7. Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that “all the world” should be “registered” (Luke 2:1). Unbeknown to the mighty Emperor, this was going to be the most significant census of all history. After all, even the most powerful of potentates are subservient, whether ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Triumph Of Christ's Kingdom.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 30, 2024

A fearsome dream, with a happy conclusion for the "people" known as "the saints of the most High" (cf. Daniel 7:27).

THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM. Daniel 7:1-3, Daniel 7:15-18. Daniel has already reported the last day of Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon (cf. Daniel 5:30). With the beginning of chapter 7, the book changes from narrative to apocalyptic writing, and there is an overlap here as the dating ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:1-3, Daniel 7:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praising The Beauty Of Holiness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 31, 2025

Before we can talk about the “city of our God” we must recognise and acknowledge the God of the city. The Bible does not begin with Jerusalem, but with God. The New Testament does not begin with the church, but with Jesus.

PRAISING THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Psalm 48:1-7. This psalm begins with a simple statement of fact: “Great is the LORD” and, because of the greatness of the LORD, He is “greatly to be praised” (PSALM 48:1a). Where is the LORD to be praised? In the place that God has chosen (cf. 2 Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imprecations In Context.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 19, 2025

To attack God's people is to attack the LORD Himself!

IMPRECATIONS IN CONTEXT. Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18. Today’s Psalm begins, “Keep not silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still O God” (PSALM 83:1). As if He ever would, when to attack God’s people is to attack the LORD Himself! ‘Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence,’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 83:1-2, Psalm 83:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Vain Confidence Of The Disobedient.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2025

We might hide our sins from men, but God knows our hearts.

THE VAIN CONFIDENCE OF THE DISOBEDIENT. Jeremiah 7:9-15. As Paul unfolded his doctrine of justification by grace through faith in his Epistle to the Romans, he uttered the phrase ‘But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound’ (cf. Romans 5:20), and he realised that he had to square up to ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:9-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Relentless Rhythms Of Time.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 10, 2024

A time for everything.

THE RELENTLESS RHYTHMS OF TIME. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13. ‘Turn, turn, turn’ is the refrain of the old pop song based upon these verses. However, time is not circular, but linear: it is more like a river relentlessly, but always, running downstream. It is our subjective experience of time that gives ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seek The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 12, 2024

Responding to the call of God.

SEEK THE LORD. Isaiah 55:1-9. The Bible is full of wonderful gracious invitations. ISAIAH 55:1 begins with a call to the thirsty to come to the waters. This is in order to quench, not a physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst. Those who seek to be made righteous through the Lord Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Signs.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Nov 28, 2000

First Sunday in Advent, year C

The Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent December 3rd, 2000 Thank you Lord Jesus for teaching us to use the measure of eternity; to see that disturbances are nothing to fear, rather they are really opportunities for redemption. Amen. Luke 21:25-36 Title: “Signs” After foretelling the end of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Lutheran

Becoming A Caring Family

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Jan 27, 2015

How the church c an be a caring family

"Becoming a Caring Family" Text: Acts 2:42-47 A. Introduction: The early church B. God made us to relate to one another 1. Relating is our greatest need 2. We are commanded to love ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Baptist