Sermons on C Proper 15:

A Prayer For Spirit Enlightenment (Ephesians 1:15-23) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 3, 2025

Enlightenment about God's cosmic plan is something God will give, if we ask. God's plan is far bigger-- cosmic-- than we often realize, and we have been empowered, potentially, more than we think.

Let's start today by reading part of last week's passage. I'll read from my translation, but feel free to follow along however you'd like. Let's turn to Ephesians 1:7, and we'll read through verse 10: (7) In him (=Jesus) we have the freedom/release through his blood-- ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Blessings Are To Be Shared–not Stored Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 31, 2014

The Christian life is not a playground. Life is tough. It’s a struggle, even for the best of Christians, even for the strongest Christians. That’s why you need to share your burdens with one another.

INTRODUCTION I invite you to open your Bibles with me to the book of Romans. Romans 15. We’re going to start reading in verse 23 in just a moment. I heard the funny story about a man who asked a lawyer, “How much would you charge me for me to ask you three questions?” The lawyer ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:23-33

Denomination: Baptist

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

Blessing The One Who Blesses Us With Blessings.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 23, 2013

Chosen to be holy.

BLESSING THE ONE WHO BLESSES US WITH BLESSINGS. Ephesians 1:3-14. In their original language, these verses constitute the longest sentence in the whole Bible. They form one long celebration of the Blessed One, who blesses us with blessings (Ephesians 1:3). The blessings begin with Him, bring ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Spiritual Armoury

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 25, 2015

Making our stand on the word, and prayerfully advancing in evangelism.

A SPIRITUAL ARMOURY. Ephesians 6:10-20. “Go on being made strong,” begins the final exhortation of this Epistle. Having been made strong in the past by relying on the Lord, so make your stand now “in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Do not yield one inch: do not ‘give place to the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Present Provision And Past Deliverance

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2013

The presentation of the first of the first-fruits as an occasion of Thanksgiving.

PRESENT PROVISION AND PAST DELIVERANCE. Deuteronomy 26:1-11. 1. The One Whom We Worship. It was the LORD their God who was going to bring Israel into the land of their inheritance (Deuteronomy 26:1). It was the LORD their God, not the Canaanites’ Baal, who would give them bountiful harvests ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Giddy Heights Of Agape Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 8, 2022

Some thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13.

THE GIDDY HEIGHTS OF AGAPE LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. At the end of the previous chapter Paul encouraged the Corinthians (church) to be, literally, ‘zealous’ for the best gifts (‘charismata’). ‘And yet,’ he said, ‘I show unto you a more excellent way’ (1 Corinthians 12:31). What is that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 26, 2015

Addressed to both children and adults.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD. Psalm 23:1-3. When King David was a boy, he used to look after his father’s sheep - so he knew what he was talking about when he spoke of the LORD as his shepherd. As we all know, a “shepherd” looks after sheep. David led the sheep, but the LORD led David. Yet one day ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Response Of A Sheep To The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2015

Reassurances in the valley, celebrations on the plateau, and hope for the future.

A SHEEP’S RESPONSE TO THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Psalm 23:4-6. ‘All we like sheep have gone astray’ (Isaiah 53:6). Yet when we know Jesus as our Good Shepherd (John 10:14), we have full bragging rights (Psalm 23:1-3). One of the distinguishing marks of the Good Shepherd is His compassion towards an ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Final Revelation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 14, 2013

When we see Jesus, we see the very reflection of God Himself.

THE FINAL REVELATION. Hebrews 1:1-4. The poetry of this short passage is beautiful, and the theology is exquisite. The high Christology of these words and phrases resonates with the majesty and dignity of our Saviour. We are left in no doubt that “the Son” is the very voice of God to mankind. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Happy Homecoming

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 29, 2016

A place for the redeemed to walk free.

A HAPPY HOMECOMING. Isaiah 35:1-10. Isaiah foresees a time ahead of time, when Israel would again be released from captivity, and would undertake another journey through the wilderness. Unlike when they left Egypt, on this occasion they would not be left wandering for forty years, but would make ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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 8:28-39, 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

A Prayer Of David.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 11, 2023

The LORD is a very present help in time of need.

A PRAYER OF DAVID. Psalm 86:1-10, Psalm 86:16-17. PSALM 86:1. Whatever troubles the Psalmist was facing, he recognises two things: the greatness of the LORD (YHWH), and his own smallness. Such is his humility when he asks the LORD to “Bow down (His) ear” to such a one as is “poor and needy.” The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 86:1-10, Psalm 86:16-17

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

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