Sermons on C Proper 15:

David Lets His Guard Down.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 23, 2024

A downward spiral with inevitable consequences.

DAVID LETS HIS GUARD DOWN. 2 Samuel 11:1-15. “At the time when kings go forth” (to battle), “David tarried still at Jerusalem.” (2 SAMUEL 11:1). Sending his nephew Joab may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but this constituted a dereliction of duty which put David in the wrong place at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Things For Good.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2023

Joseph as a type of Jesus.

ALL THINGS FOR GOOD. Genesis 50:15-21. Young Joseph made the mistake of sharing his dreams with his brothers, and ended up in a pit, then sold into slavery, then falsely accused, and thrown into prison, then forgotten by someone for whom he had done a favour. Yet God did not make a full end ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Omniscience Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2023

The response to "The LORD has searched me" (cf. Psalm 139:1) is “Search me and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23).

THE OMNISCIENCE OF GOD. Psalm 139:1-12, Psalm 139:23-24. When we read Psalm 139, sometimes it is hard to tell whether we should read it with a sense of dread: The LORD knows me (PSALM 139:1); He knows everything I am doing (PSALM 139:2); He knows where I am going (PSALM 139:3); He knows my every ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12, Psalm 139:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Or Fear - 2nd Before Lent Year C

Contributed by Jim Pye on Feb 13, 2001

Jesus is Lord of creation and deserves our wholehearted commitment

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Faith Or Fear - 2nd Before Lent Year C

Contributed by Jim Pye on Feb 14, 2001

2nd Before lent Year C : Jesus is Lord of all and deserves our wholehearted commitment

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let’s go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

A Path Through The Sea.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 16, 2023

The focus of the passage before us is the mighty victory that the LORD wrought against Israel’s pursuers.

A PATH THROUGH THE SEA. Exodus 14:19-31. EXODUS 14:19a. The “Angel of God” removed Himself from ‘going before’ the people and “went behind them.” We see here, and in other places where the Angel is mentioned, that the Angel is a distinct divine personality, and yet is at one with the LORD. The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:19-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Allure Of Worldly Conformity.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 11, 2024

The Church should never want be "like all the nations."

THE ALLURE OF WORLDLY CONFORMITY. 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 1 Samuel 11:14-15. Samuel appointed his two sons to be judges in Beersheba in the south of Israel, but ‘his sons walked not in his ways’ and ‘took bribes and perverted judgement (1 Samuel 8:1-3). On account of this, the elders of Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4-20, 1 Samuel 11:14-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ishmael.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2023

The on-going contention between the son of Hagar, and the seed of Sarah

ISHMAEL. Genesis 21:8-21. The history of Ishmael and Isaac is the history of the struggle between flesh and spirit, between the carnal seed and the spiritual seed, between the world's way and God's way. In the first place, Abraham had faith. The LORD pointed him towards the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:8-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living The Life Of Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 16, 2013

Four imperatives for Christian living.

LIVING THE LIFE OF CHRIST. Colossians 3:1-11. The doctrinal basis for the imperatives of this section is found in the fact that the ‘saints and faithful brethren’ (Colossians 1:2) have been “raised” with Christ. This connects with the symbols of baptism and new life in the previous chapter ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rich And Poor In The Church Of Jesus Christ (Concluded).

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 26, 2021

There are no untouchables with God.

RICH AND POOR IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST (concluded). James 2:1-17. James 2:1. The Greek of this section of the letter of James begins somewhat abruptly: “My brethren, not with partialities!” The impact of the whole sentence is: “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

He Heard My Voice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 22, 2023

He loosed my bonds.

HE HEARD MY VOICE. Psalm 116:1-2, Psalm 116:12-19. If I was asked why I love the LORD, I might well answer: because He heard and answered my prayer (Psalm 116:1). Yet this may, at first glance, appear self-serving: what would I have to say for myself if my prayers had not been answered in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-2, Psalm 116:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Water Walking Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 22, 2022

Welcoming Jesus back into our lives.

THE WATER WALKING JESUS. John 6:15-21. JOHN 6:15. Jesus knows what is in the heart of man, and literally “knowing” that they “are about to come” and seize Him, that they may make Him a king, He “withdrew Himself again to the mountain Himself alone.” The picture seems to be of an enthusiastic ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Destiny Of Creation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2023

Creation groans. We groan within ourselves. Creation is subjected in hope. We are saved in hope.

THE DESTINY OF CREATION. Romans 8:12-25. 1. The Mortification of Sin (Romans 8:12-14). Paul has just commented that ‘if Christ is in you the body is dead on account of sin’ (cf. Romans 8:10). And that ‘the Spirit of Him who raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken (revivify, make ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:12-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Kinds Of Servitude

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 20, 2017

Two ways of life. Two very different masters. Two pathways: one leading to death, and one leading to life. Two very different paydays.

TWO KINDS OF SERVITUDE. Romans 6:12-23. What we are, and whose we are, shapes what we do with what we've got. Negatively, the Apostle Paul encourages us to resist any attempt that sin makes to usurp authority in our physical lives (Romans 6:12). Even for Christians, the body and its ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:12-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational