Sermons on B Proper 23:

As Sheep Among Wolves

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 9, 2020

More mission insights from the little Commission.

AS SHEEP AMONG WOLVES. Matthew 10:9-23. Jesus was very specific in His first instructions to the twelve Apostles, that they ‘Go not into the way of the Gentiles’, nor enter any city of the Samaritans, but seek out none other than ‘the lost sheep of the house of Israel’ (cf. Matthew 10:5-6). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:9-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus' High Priestly Prayer (Part 2b) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Nov 16, 2013

A sermon examining the greatest prayer recorded in the Bible.

JESUS’ HIGH PRIESTLY PRAYER (Part 2b – Jesus’ Prayer For His Disciples) John 17:6-19 John 17:6-8 records the second main section in the Lord’s High Priestly Prayer. In the first five verses Jesus prayed for Himself; then in verse 6 the Savior transitions from praying for Himself to praying ...read more

Scripture: John 17:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 8 (23rd Psalm): Thou Preparest A Table*

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jun 18, 2002

When you emerge from the valleys of life, a table of food will be waiting for you that demonstrates to your enemies the provision of God.

Psalm 23 Series By Elmer L. Towns Lesson 8: Thou Preparest A Table A. INTRODUCTION: WHEN THE TABLE IS SPREAD. 1. You have just come back from straying. 2. You have just come from a dark valley. 3. You have just escaped death shadows. 4. You get the opposite of punishment grace ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Passion For The Ancient People Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 5, 2017

Setting the scene for the whole discussion of Romans 9-11, Paul finds himself astonished at his own people's failure to embrace Christ.

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 people, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

A Vow To Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2020

David's Psalm of praise.

A VOW TO PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-8. The Psalmist David, speaking on our behalf, makes a vow to bless the name of the LORD “forever and ever” (Psalm 145:1); “Every day” to bless Him; to praise His name “for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). This is the only Psalm in the book with the words “of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A City Of Habitation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 31, 2020

From a trackless wilderness to a City to dwell in.

A CITY OF HABITATION Psalm 107:1-7; Psalm 107:33-37. This Psalm is a call to thanksgiving to the LORD, “for He is good: for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). The writer longs that those whom the LORD has redeemed, whom He has redeemed from the hand of enemy - out of the east, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-7, Psalm 107:33-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Strange Land.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2022

Strangers and pilgrims in this world.

A STRANGE LAND. Psalm 137. The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The All-Encompassing Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 18, 2020

I the LORD do all these things

THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. Isaiah 45:1-7. This chapter opens with the astonishing reference to Cyrus, King of Persia, as the LORD’s “anointed” - literally, “messiah” (Isaiah 45:1). It is designed to shock us with the fact that the LORD not only uses Gentiles to fulfil His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Light Of God's Word.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 26, 2023

God has written His word upon our hearts, and inclines our wills to keeping it.

THE LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD. Psalm 119:105-112. PSALM 119:105. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The word of God, the Bible, is totally reliable (cf. Hebrews 4:12). The Psalmist unreservedly relies upon it. Furthermore, Jesus is the Word (cf. John 1:1), and He is the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:105-112

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The War Against Sin. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 2, 2023

Sin begins in the heart, and from thence proceeds out of the mouth, thus defiling the man.

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 which defiles a man; but that which comes out of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Complaint And Restoration.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 29, 2023

God’s purposes are in no way thwarted by persecution, but rather, somewhat ironically, helped forward by the sufferers’ steadfastness.

COMPLAINT AND RESTORATION. Jeremiah 15:15-21. This is one of the laments of Jeremiah. There is a complaint here (Jeremiah 15:15-18), and also a reply from the LORD (Jeremiah 15:19-21). JEREMIAH 15:15. The prophet is bold in his approach: “O LORD, thou knowest.” The LORD does know all our ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Bold Approach.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 29, 2023

Praying as those who are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

A BOLD APPROACH. Psalm 26:1-8. We do not know what specific trouble that David was facing in PSALM 26, but it has all the hallmarks of a man pleading his case before God based on his INTEGRITY. Unfortunately, this is sometimes translated as blamelessness, which all sounds very arrogant and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Egypt To Canaan. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 20, 2025

The holy God remembered His covenant with Abraham, and kept His holy promise.

FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN. Psalm 105:37-45. (i). The Exodus. PSALM 105:37. After the smiting of the firstborn in Egypt, the LORD brought forth His people with both wealth and wellness (cf. 3 John 1:2). The Egyptians sacked their own houses in order to provide the children of Israel with some back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:37-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

About Formalism In Worship.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 31, 2023

It is not good when our worship is nothing more than a formality, rather than an engagement with the One whom we are supposedly worshipping.

ABOUT FORMALISM IN WORSHIP. Psalm 50:7-15. Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears as a court case, with El Elohim Yahweh, “the Mighty God the LORD” (cf. Psalm 50:1) presiding as Judge (cf. Psalm 50:6) - and God’s covenant people in the dock (cf. Psalm 50:5). Here the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:7-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational