Sermons on B Proper 23:

The Son Of Laughter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 6, 2023

Is anything too hard for the LORD?

THE SON OF LAUGHTER. Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7. 1. The promise (Genesis 18:1-15). This passage is described as an encounter in which “the LORD” (= YHWH, Hebrew) “appeared unto” Abraham when he was having his siesta “in the heat of the day.” When he lifted up his head, suddenly, there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Marvellous Wonders Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2023

Walls of water in the sea, and streams and rivers of water in the wilderness. A cloud by day, and a light of fire by night.

THE MARVELLOUS WONDERS OF THE LORD. Psalm 78:1-4, Psalm 78:12-16. 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). ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-4, Psalm 78:12-16

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

The Accountability Of Delegates.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 12, 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

Justice And Righteousness Better Than Rituals

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 19, 2020

The danger of worship without mercy.

JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BETTER THAN RITUALS. Amos 5:18-24. Historically, Israel had split into two kingdoms shortly after the death of king David’s son, king Solomon. The ten tribes of the north rejected both the dynasty of David, and the worship of the Jerusalem temple, and set up their ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Moses. Part Two.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 22, 2025

The LORD's gracious compassion. Moses commissioned by the LORD.

THE CALL OF MOSES. Part Two. Exodus 3:7-15. EXODUS 3:7. The second thing that the LORD said was, I have surely “seen” the affliction of my people which are in Egypt; I have “heard” their cry; for I “know” their sorrows. This echoes the end of the previous chapter: Israel ‘sighed’ by reason of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jacob And Esau.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 23, 2023

The purposes of God and the scheming of Jacob.

JACOB AND ESAU. Genesis 25:19-34. 1. The two nations in Rebekah’s womb. GENESIS 25:19-20. As the genealogy passes from Abraham to Isaac we are told that Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah. GENESIS 25:21. Once again there is a record of prolonged barrenness within the family. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Petulance Of Jonah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2023

God, for His part, cares for the whole of His creation.

THE PETULANCE OF JONAH. Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11. The LORD is merciful to those who repent (JONAH 3:10; cf. Psalm 130:3-4). When Jonah at last arrived in Nineveh after his circuitous journey, his message was simple: ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown’ (cf. Jonah 3:4). ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reproaches Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2023

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

THE REPROACHES OF JESUS. Psalm 69:7-18. PSALM 69:7. This is a cry akin to ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (cf. Psalm 22:1). Of course, we are aware that it was for OUR benefit, OUR salvation that Jesus died. But even before that, it was for the glory of God: that He might be seen to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:7-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Personal Price Tag Of Being A Social Climber Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Aug 24, 2015

If you desire to be among the prestigious members of society, you have to pay a steeper price than meets the eye; to climb socially, you may have to drop spiritually. Yet there are a few other reasons to question social climbing.

The Personal Price Tag of Being A Social Climber (Proverbs 23:1-8) 1. In her book, The Overspent American, Harvard professor Juliet Schor informs us most people are concerned about social status, but they live in denial. 2. She claims they rationalize to themselves they need a new car because ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Flows From Within.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 6, 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

Lesson 1 ( 23rd Psalm): The Lord Is My Shepherd*

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 17, 2002

Your relationship with God is not a prize to be won but rather a gift to be received.

Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 1 (23 Psalm): The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want A. WHY IS THIS THE FAVORITE PSALM? 1. Easy to memorize. These six verses are a short “self-contained” picture of our relationship with God. 2. Intimate fellowship. Promises God’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 23 - In God's Presence Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jan 9, 2024

Praying the 23rd Psalm.

PRAYING THE 23rd PSALM Because You are my Shepherd I commit my needs to You. Provide green pasture for me to rest in, And still waters to quench my thirst. Restore my soul when I am empty, And lead me in right paths for Your name’s sake. Be with me in danger when I walk, Through the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 2 (23rd Psalm): I Shall Not Want*

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 17, 2002

You will have many earthly desires in life, but you shall not want for anything the Shepherd.

Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 2 (23rd Psalm): I shall not want A. ABOUT RELATIONSHIP 1. Why can I say, “The Shepherd is mine?” a. Because He gave His life for me. “The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). “I give unto them (the sheep) eternal life” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Give Ear, O Shepherd Of Israel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2013

No matter what the world throws at us, we will persevere in the LORD.

GIVE EAR, O SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL. Psalm 80:1-7; Psalm 80:17-19. Belief in the God of Israel is not blind faith, but an informed trust. One expression of our confidence that the LORD is in control of all things is to make our complaints known to Him. In Psalm 80 the writer bemoans the plight of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:17-19, Psalm 80:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational