Sermons on B Proper 15:

He Heard My Voice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 22, 2023

He loosed my bonds.

HE HEARD MY VOICE. Psalm 116:1-2, Psalm 116:12-19. If I was asked why I love the LORD, I might well answer: because He heard and answered my prayer (Psalm 116:1). Yet this may, at first glance, appear self-serving: what would I have to say for myself if my prayers had not been answered in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-2, Psalm 116:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Come Let Us Reason Together.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

The failure of our efforts and the glory of Christ's work.

COME LET US REASON TOGETHER. Isaiah 1:10-18. Isaiah addresses his congregation as “rulers of Sodom” and “people of Gomorrah”, and begins to reason with them (Isaiah 1:10). It is all quite shocking: how dare he expose our comfortable, upright congregation to such strong language? After all, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:10-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Kinds Of Servitude

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 20, 2017

Two ways of life. Two very different masters. Two pathways: one leading to death, and one leading to life. Two very different paydays.

TWO KINDS OF SERVITUDE. Romans 6:12-23. What we are, and whose we are, shapes what we do with what we've got. Negatively, the Apostle Paul encourages us to resist any attempt that sin makes to usurp authority in our physical lives (Romans 6:12). Even for Christians, the body and its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eleventh Sunday In Ordinary Time- B Mustard Seed Cooperation

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jun 13, 2021

The Atlantic began to come in; its mighty shoulders underneath the boats lifted—lifted until the derelict had to come. The youth had harnessed infinite energy to his task.

Working in harmony with the processes of life in co-operation with God is how the Kingdom of God works, Jesus says. Its methods may be illustrated by the case of an old derelict ship that was to be lifted-up from the bottom of the sea. In one of the tidal rivers near New York, the building of a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:26-34, Ezekiel 17:22-24

Denomination: Catholic

An Appeal In Hope.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 18, 2023

This Psalm looks beyond the present crisis and need, through the availability of God’s righteousness, to the ultimate hope of the resurrection.

AN APPEAL IN HOPE. Psalm 17:1-7, Psalm 17:15. PSALM 17:1. How can a man, born dead in trespasses and sins, plead with the LORD to “hear the right?” Well, it is as Abraham said, ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ (Genesis 18:25). When we use this Psalm, we are not appealing to our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:1-7, Psalm 17:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Second Sunday Of Advent, Year B: The Good News Of Advent

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Dec 3, 2020

The route home is spiritualized to refer to as "the way of the Lord" and attention must be given to preparing for the coming of the Messiah.

Modern GPS devices usually have a pleasant voice that tells you when you missed a turn and how to get back on the right road. On this Second Sunday of Advent, we hear the pleasant voice of this Good News: 1.Such as the opening words of our Gospel today: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11, Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Catholic

The Wilderness And The Cave.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

We are never alone.

THE WILDERNESS AND THE CAVE. 1 Kings 19:1-15a. I. The Wilderness of Dissent (1 Kings 19:1-8). It is hard when we stand out in the crowd, but Christians are different. The Bible names us a ‘peculiar people’ - called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). Privileges carry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Spacious Place.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2022

He does not allow our foot to slip.

A SPACIOUS PLACE. Psalm 66:1-12. The superscription to this Psalm is addressed, “To the chief musician. A Song or Psalm.” Whether sung or spoken, it is a call to all nations to “Make a joyful noise” to God (Psalm 66:1). Which God? Well, compare Psalm 100:1, where YHWH, ‘the LORD’ is named. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 66:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open Your Mouth Wide And I Will Fill It.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 3, 2022

The finest of wheat, and honey out of the Rock.

OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDE AND I WILL FILL IT. Psalm 81:1, Psalm 81:10-16. If we allow that the summons to praise (Psalm 81:1) is a call to celebrate the kingship of the LORD, it is because He, and He alone, is God (Psalm 81:9-10; cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Psalm 81:10. “I am the LORD your God, who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 81:1, Psalm 81:10-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lesson In Patience.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 8, 2023

Jacob the trickster duped by his uncle. The love of Jacob for Rachel perseveres and prevails. God at work behind the scenes.

A LESSON IN PATIENCE. Genesis 29:15-28. Jacob had been on the run from his twin brother Esau. Jacob, being the younger twin, had duped his elder sibling of both his inheritance and his blessing. Esau’s understandable anger was beginning to look dangerous, so their mother Rebekah devised a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:15-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lest They Forget

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2020

Reminding our children of their rich heritage in the LORD.

LEST THEY FORGET Psalm 78:1-7. Psalm 78 is entitled a “Maschil” of Asaph, thereby signifying an INSTRUCTION. It is one of the longest Psalms in the Book, not only outlining a history of Israel, but encouraging us to LEARN from this history (cf. Psalm 78:8). Mr. Spurgeon, in his ‘Treasury of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Death Of Moses.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 11, 2023

The transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua.

DEATH OF MOSES. Deuteronomy 34:1-12. DEUTERONOMY 34:1-4. Moses’ long ministry was drawing to an end, but the LORD had one last treat for His faithful servant before he died. Moses already knew that he would not be permitted to enter the promised land (cf. Deuteronomy 3:27), but the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Crossing Jordan.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 15, 2023

God keeps His promises to Israel as they at last enter the promised land.

CROSSING JORDAN. Joshua 3:7-17. JOSHUA 3:7. Transition from one ministry to another is always challenging, but if the Lord’s people recognise the new incumbent as God’s man then they can agree under God to hearken to him (cf. Joshua 1:17). Moses was dead, but the LORD had appointed Joshua in his ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 3:7-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't For Your Own Good.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 11, 2020

Don’t give yourself over to unusual appetites, but live modestly, don’t give yourself over to fleeting success stories, live by what has been proven to you through your scriptural upbringing.

Don’t—For Your Own Good Proverbs 23:1-18NLT “Don’t give yourself over to unusual appetites, but live modestly, don’t give yourself over to fleeting success stories, live by what has been proven to you through your scriptural upbringing.” P.H Proverbs 23:1-3NLT While dining with a ruler, pay ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:16-21, James 1:27

Denomination: Pentecostal

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20