Sermons on B Proper 25:

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

Sampling Some Parables.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 3, 2023

Have ye understood all these things? Matthew 13:51.

SAMPLING SOME PARABLES. Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52. I. The Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32). This Sermon had its roots in a children’s address given long ago and far away. At that time I was interested (for all the best practical reasons) in gardening. I brought some seeds as a visual ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33, Matthew 13:44-52

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

The Recommissioning Of Ezekiel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2023

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

THE RECOMMISSIONING OF EZEKIEL. Ezekiel 33:7-11. EZEKIEL 33:7. The prophet Ezekiel had first been commissioned by the LORD to be a “a watchman” for “the house of Israel” back in Ezekiel 3:17. This is now a renewal of that commission. Again the warning comes from the LORD. EZEKIEL 33:8. As a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-11

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 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

Let Us Sing Unto The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 8, 2023

This is serious worship, with its focus upon who the LORD is (the Rock), and who He is to us (the rock of our salvation).

LET US SING UNTO THE LORD. Psalm 95:1-7a. In days gone by not everybody who gathered in our churches could read, so it was useful to learn things by rote. So when the praise-leader sang “O Come let us sing unto the LORD” (Psalm 95:1), the congregation knew to join in the singing of Psalm 95. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7

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

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

A Wife For Isaac.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2023

When we walk in God's way, He orders our steps.

A WIFE FOR ISAAC. Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67. The 24th chapter of the Book of Genesis is a beautifully written and well-crafted telling and retelling of the history of the mission of Abraham’s servant to find a wife for Isaac. The whole passage moves along at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer For The Continuation Of God's Grace.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2023

Teach me thy way O LORD.

A PRAYER FOR THE CONTINUATION OF GOD’S GRACE. Psalm 86:11-17. There is a chorus which connects Psalm 86:10 to the beginning of Psalm 86:11. “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things; thou art God alone. Teach me thy way O LORD.” PSALM 86:11. The prayer “Teach me thy way” is followed ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:11-17

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

Thou Hast Heard Me.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

The turning point in Psalm 22. A prayer breakthrough for David, for Jesus - FOR US.

THOU HAST HEARD ME. Psalm 22:19-28. Whatever deep sense of desolation rocked David into penning these words, his God-inspired prophetic insight reaches far beyond the limits of his own time and experience to the Cross of Jesus – and beyond. In the midst of His sufferings, and despite ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:19-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational