Sermons on B Proper 7:

The Epitaph Of The Ungodly And The Testimony Of The Righteous.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 26, 2022

Our confidence rests in the covenant mercy of God, revealed to us in Christ Jesus.

THE EPITAPH OF THE UNGODLY AND THE TESTIMONY OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Psalm 52:1-9. The superscription of this Psalm associates it with the tittle-tattle tale-telling of a certain Edomite named Doeg, who was Saul’s chief shepherd (1 Samuel 21:7). This man - not wholly untruthfully, but certainly ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 52:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Neighbour

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 18, 2020

Agape love as the fulfillment of the law.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR. Romans 13:8-10. The imperative, “To no one nothing owe you (all), but to love one another” (Romans 13:8a) follows on from the discussion of being subject to ‘the powers that be’ who - whether we voted for them or not - are ‘ordained of God’ (cf. Romans 13:1). This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

3 Perpetual Practices To Ensure Personal Spiritual Vitality

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

A. Rejoice Always B.

A. Rejoice Always B. Pray Without Ceasing C. Give Thanks in Everything "for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Exodus 3:4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Jesus Needs A Break! Mark 7:24-37

Contributed by David Smith on Dec 14, 2006

Depictions of Christ suffering on the cross are common in Christian literature and iconography. Few though are the depictions of Jesus walking around exhausted, during his earthly ministry. Yet the tiredness of Jesus is seen commonly in the Gospels, and

Our Gospel reading this morning is from Mark chapter 7, where we come across a Jesus who is tired - tired, I think, to the point of exhaustion. This is not the sort of depiction of Jesus that is given much attention by the church. I’ve never seen a stained-glass window with an image of Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Moses Drawn Out

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 24, 2018

Drawn by the cords of everlasting love!

MOSES DRAWN OUT. Exodus 2:1-10. We all know, used to know, or should have known, the story of baby Moses drifting in an ark of bulrushes, placed by his mother in amongst the reeds by the banks of the River Nile (Exodus 2:3). In ancient maps, uncharted waters used to be indicated with an ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Called To Be Conquerors, Conformed To Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 2, 2017

If God be for us, who can be against us?

CALLED TO BE CONQUERORS, CONFORMED TO CHRIST. Romans 8:26-39. We are, it seems, surrounded by “infirmities” (Romans 8:26). These may be caused by lack of strength (which is what the word means), emotional weakness (including ‘burnout’), financial hardships, sickness, or sin. Paul also speaks of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteousness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2022

The key word in this stanza of the Psalm is righteous/ righteousness. The word appears five times in the section.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. Psalm 119:137-144. PSALM 119:137. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” “Righteous art thou, O LORD,” is a declaration of the righteousness of God. And because He is righteous, all His “judgments” are “upright,” or “just.” Thus ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:137-144

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 28, 2022

Job looks forward to meeting Jesus at the resurrection of the dead.

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH. Job 19:23-27. JOB 19:23-24. “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed (literally, ‘inscribed’) in a book! That they were graven (literally, ‘engraved’) with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” Something written on a scrap of paper is ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sun Of Righteousness Shall Arise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 4, 2022

A prophecy of the incarnation of Jesus.

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL ARISE. Malachi 4:1-2. There was a remnant in the days of Malachi who reverenced the LORD and remained loyal to Him (Malachi 3:16-18). Those who revere the LORD are remembered by the LORD and are made up as His jewels. And when He returns, He shall discern ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises To The Sincere.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2022

A changed heart and a new life.

PROMISES TO THE SINCERE. Isaiah 58:9-14. We who have heard His call and answered, “Here am I LORD, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) will now call on Him, and He will answer “Here am I” (Isaiah 58:9). When our ‘religion’ consists in more than outward rituals, and our deeds follow our souls in pity ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Fast And Hold On.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

Let no man deceive you.

STAND FAST AND HOLD ON. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Elisha.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

No looking back.

THE CALL OF ELISHA. (1 Kings 19:15-16; 1 Kings 19:19-21). The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of: 1. A foreign tyrant (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:11-13); 2. A new dynasty (1 Kings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Unexpected Encounter With God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 2, 2023

A ladder of God's devising, connecting heaven and earth. Prefigures the Cross.

AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH GOD. Genesis 28:10-19a. GENESIS 28:10. Jacob had defrauded his brother Esau of both his birthright and his blessing. So now Jacob was on the run from his brother Esau, headed back in the direction of the city which their grandfather Abraham had left behind so many ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Passion For God's Ancient People. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 18, 2023

Eight prerogatives of Israel: “The adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came" (Romans 9:4-5).

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 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational