Sermons on B Proper 6:

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

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 Last Passover

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 9, 2020

A planned betrayal. Institution of Communion. Singing Praise. On to Gethsemane.

THE LAST PASSOVER. Matthew 26:14-30. Even before the chief priests and the scribes had wrongly determined that the death of Jesus should not take place ‘during the feast’ (Matthew 26:5), Jesus had already predicted exactly when His death would take place (Matthew 26:2). They were wrong, He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From The Denial By Peter To The Condemnation Of Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 19, 2022

The interweaving of God's sovereign plan of salvation with the dastardly plans of the subordinate powers of darkness.

FROM THE DENIAL BY PETER TO THE CONDEMNATION OF JESUS. Luke 22:54-71; Luke 23:1-12. LUKE 22:54-62. After Jesus’ arrest, the temple police took our Lord to the high priest’s house, “and Peter followed afar off” (Luke 22:54). It was here that Peter denied Jesus, three times, as Jesus had warned him ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-71, Luke 23:1-12

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

An Unspoken Providence

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2020

The history of Joseph from Canaan to Egypt.

AN UNSPOKEN PROVIDENCE. Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28. What are we to make of Joseph? A tell-tale teenager (Genesis 37:2)? A favourite son (Genesis 37:3)? A dreamer (Genesis 37:19)? Or perhaps a boaster (cf. Genesis 37:5-10)? Or even a prophet (cf. Genesis 37:11)? What is the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-4, Genesis 37:12-28

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

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

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

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

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

A Fine Balance: Fulfilling Our Obligations To Both God And The State

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2014

Render to Caesar Caesar’s image, which is on the coin; and to God God’s image, which is on man.

FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS TO GOD AND STATE. Matthew 22:15-22. 1. Wickedness finds strange bedfellows. The Pharisees denied the Emperor any right to demand tribute money - and whilst they no doubt used the common money for common purposes, they questioned the validity of the coinage (which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Life As A Leader (3 Of 6) Series

Contributed by Mark Mcnees on May 18, 2007

A series called MyLife: Improving Your Profile. Basically, it’s a series looking at the phenomenon known as MySpace and using it as an extended metaphor to moving us closer to the heart and mind of God.

MyLife As a Leader By Pastor Mark McNees This message was originally given at Element3 Church in Tallahassee FL. To download this message’s corresponding PowerPoint, audio, and artistic elements for free please visit www.element3.org Drama Begins “Okay, I’m going to do something right this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tools Of The Faith Part 6 : Meditation Series

Contributed by Andrew Moffatt on Jul 25, 2010

You can encounter life change by really understanding God’s word. Don’t just read it, don’t just believe it, experience it!

As you know we have been working through a series on the tools of the faith. The last was on cleaning up the stuff in our lives that hinders us and focusing on Jesus; and in doing so our Christian journey is doable, this path is achievable. Something that flows on from that is how we focus on, how ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16, Psalm 119:105

Denomination: Salvation Army

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