Sermons on B Proper 18:

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

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

A Mind For Service

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2020

Gifts given for the benefit of the Church.

A MIND FOR SERVICE. Romans 12:3-8. Romans 12:3. “For” connects with the immediately preceding two verses, in which it has been made clear that, as an act of gratitude for God's mercy (outlined in the whole of the preceding 11 chapters), we should submit our bodies to Him as a ‘living ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pastoral Heart

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 10, 2020

The gentleness, love and self-sacrifice of a mother.

A PASTORAL HEART. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Having favourably described the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel message (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7), Paul now speaks of that first encounter from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:1. “For you yourselves know, brethren, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 12, 2020

The word of God is effectually working in you who believe.

THE GOSPEL OF GOD. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. Paul is continuing to speak about the Thessalonian reception of the gospel message from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:9. Now, still addressing them as “brethren” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:1), he reminds them of what they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

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

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

The Call Of Elisha.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

No looking back.

THE CALL OF ELISHA. (1 Kings 19:15-16; 1 Kings 19:19-21). The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of: 1. A foreign tyrant (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:11-13); 2. A new dynasty (1 Kings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises To The Sincere.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2022

A changed heart and a new life.

PROMISES TO THE SINCERE. Isaiah 58:9-14. We who have heard His call and answered, “Here am I LORD, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) will now call on Him, and He will answer “Here am I” (Isaiah 58:9). When our ‘religion’ consists in more than outward rituals, and our deeds follow our souls in pity ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Model Of Intercessory Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2022

The power of the Cross.

A MODEL OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER. Exodus 32:7-14. Even as Moses finished his business with the LORD in the mount, the LORD disowned His covenant people, telling Moses to get down “for your people which you brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves” (Exodus 32:7). The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Unjust Steward.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2022

The unjust steward is not commended for his fraud, but for his thinking on his feet.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Luxury And Laziness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

There is the very real possibility that religious people are trusting in their religion, rather than in the true and living God.

LUXURY AND LAZINESS. Amos 6:1a, Amos 6:4-7. Amos was a farmer from Tekoa, to the south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). The LORD called Amos to ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel’ (Amos 7:15). The prophet’s ministry was thereafter directed mainly to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1, Amos 6:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Fast And Hold On.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Let no man deceive you.

STAND FAST AND HOLD ON. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

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

A Passion For God's Ancient People. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 18, 2023

Eight prerogatives of Israel: “The adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came" (Romans 9:4-5).

A PASSION FOR GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE. Romans 9:1-5. From the dizzy heights of Romans 8, the Apostle Paul seems to suddenly hit an unprecedented low in Romans 9:1-5. The crescendo of the previous glorious chapter meets the jarring note of Paul’s passion for his own people - God’s ancient ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational