Sermons on B Proper 20:

A Note Of Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 21, 2019

An apt overture to the crescendo of Praise with which the Psalter ends!

A NOTE OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-5; Psalm 145:17-21. A lone voice opens the Psalm: “I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2). ‘Generations’ shall praise and declare (Psalm 145:4); “I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6). The word ‘men’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5, Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thirty-First Sunday In Ordinary Time, B: Shema

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Oct 16, 2024

Prostrating oneself in prayer helps me to mean all the words of this creed, with all its intensity and wide scope.

This is the most Jewish and Catholic prayer possible, in our Gospel today, from Mark 12:29, which Jews call the Shema, which means “hear” in Hebrew-- we have the first line of the Shema in our Gospel today: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-34

Denomination: Catholic

What Flows From Within.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 5, 2023

Our outer life has its source in what is going on inside us.

WHAT FLOWS FROM WITHIN. Matthew 15:10-28. I). The War Against Sin. Matthew 15:10-20. MATTHEW 15:10-11. Jesus turned away from the Pharisees and summoned the crowd to Himself. “Hear and understand,” He taught. Despite what the Pharisees might teach, “it is NOT that which goes into the mouth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Reactions

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2020

How to overcome evil with good.

CHRISTIAN REACTIONS. Romans 12:14-21. Romans 12:14. The positive imperative is to “bless” those who persecute us. This is similar to the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-28). The supreme example is that of Jesus Himself (1 Peter 2:21-23). This partly involved Jesus praying for His ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Aaron And Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2015

Models of high priesthood. Comparison and Contrast.

AARON AND JESUS. Hebrews 5:1-10. Every high priest taken from among men was set aside, and was ordained to serve God in the offering of both gifts and sacrifices for sins, for and on behalf of men (Hebrews 5:1). The task was not taken on presumptuously, but was only made possible through the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power And The Glory - 1 Peter 4:11b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 2, 2025

In this message, you'll discover the best thing that you could ever do and the most beneficial thing that can ever happen in your life.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him do it as one speaking the words of God. If anyone serves, as with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Introduction 1 Peter 4 is all about how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Unity In Diversity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2015

Unity, not uniformity. Family diversity. Growing up to maturity in Christ.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY. Ephesians 4:1-16. Our unity is based in the unity of all three Persons of the Godhead (Ephesians 4:1-6) Those who are born again have but one God and Father, because we are all members of the same family. There is only one Lord (Jesus), so there is but one hope of our ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Attitude Of Christ.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 8, 2014

Following the example of Jesus.

THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST. Philippians 2:5-11. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). As we begin to evaluate this exhortation of the Apostle Paul, it is appropriate to ask some questions, not only of our text, but also of its context. Who is this Christ ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Trial Of Contradictory Prophesies.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 27, 2023

A showdown in the Temple, between a true and a false prophet.

A TRIAL OF CONTRADICTORY PROPHECIES. Jeremiah 28:5-9. One of the false prophets, Hananiah, prophesied that the exile would only last two years (cf. Jeremiah 28:1-4). This was a lie of the devil (cf. Jeremiah 28:15). Somewhat ironically, Hananiah’s name means, ‘the grace of the LORD.’ ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 28:5-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Accountability Of Delegates.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 11, 2022

Jesus identifies the gods in this Psalm as those to whom the word of God came.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF DELEGATES. Psalm 82:1-8. Like the book of Job, Psalm 82 opens in the counsels of heaven (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-7). There the ‘sons of God’ came to present themselves before ‘Yahweh’ (the LORD), ‘and Satan came also.’ Here it is “God” (‘Elohim,’ the majestic plural) ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 82:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Panting Deer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2017

Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

THE PANTING DEER. Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 43:1-5. There is such a thing as speaking truth into raw emotion. Imagine a situation where you are one of the worship team in the Temple at Jerusalem, and you are taken hostage to Samaria (cf. 2 Kings 14:14). On the way your heart identifies with a deer ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 43:1-5, Psalm 42:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

0502b Easter Ii: Greeting-Card Christ Series

Contributed by Mark Woolsey on May 1, 2006

Too many times, the Good Shepherd image of Jesus comes across as the "Greeting-card Christ".

Sermon: Greeting-card Christ Text: John 10:11-16 Occasion: Easter II Who: Mark Woolsey Where: Arbor House When: Sunday, Apr 30, 2006 Audio link: http://providencerec.com/Sound%20Files/Srmn060430WoolseyJohn10;11-16EasterIIGreetingCardChrist.mp3 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my ...read more

Scripture: John 10:11-16

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Eighth Sunday After Trinity (B C P). Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 6, 2025

Sermons upon the Bible readings of the Book of Common Prayer.

Psalm 31:1-5, Jeremiah 23:16-24, Romans 8:12-17, Matthew 7:15-21. A). THE LORD MY ROCK. Psalm 31:1-5. PSALM 31:1. This Psalm begins with the LORD, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a Psalm of trust, a Psalm of faith. We need not wallow in our distress when we have the LORD ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:1-5, Jeremiah 23:16-24, Romans 8:12-17, Matthew 7:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does It Mean To Be Part Of The Church? - Sermon For Proper 18 – Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 4, 2020

Where two or three are gathered in my name. How do we work together to be the church and a living witness to the grace of God within the world

In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit, amen. I came upon this prayer, which I thought was very apt as we come to unfold the scripture, so let’s begin by praying. Jesus said where two or three are gathered in my name there I am among them, then this must be a holy people a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Denomination: Anglican

Who Do We Strive After? - Sermon For Proper 22 - Year A

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Oct 1, 2020

Paul teaches us about being Christlike, whilst the Gospel teach us about the corruption in Israel. Where do we stand in our faith when we consider the two scriptures?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I wonder if you have ever set out to do something and whatever distractions and obstacles has been thrown into your path, you have not been dissuaded, and have carried on with an absolute belief that you could accomplish whatever needed to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46, Philippians 3:4-14

Denomination: Anglican