Sermons on C Proper 16:

Proper Orbits Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 10, 2024

The passage deals with immorality that shouldn’t be named or practiced among the believers at Ephesus, I want to emphasize that the scripture should not be burdened with baggage that it is often saddled with

Background to passage: It’s been a while since we have been in Ephesians, so a quick overview. First three chapters are deeply theological about Christ’s role in our salvation and in the life of the church. Last three chapters are very practical. In fact the end of chapter four some of the “most ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Our Refuge.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 11, 2022

Our total confidence in the LORD.

GOD IS OUR REFUGE. Psalm 46. PSALM 46:1. A “refuge” is a place of safety for those who are in distress, a shelter from danger, a place of support for those in difficulty. “God” is all these to us. He is our “strength” when we are weak, more secure than a castle or a fortress, “a very present ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Note Of Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 21, 2019

An apt overture to the crescendo of Praise with which the Psalter ends!

A NOTE OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-5; Psalm 145:17-21. A lone voice opens the Psalm: “I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2). ‘Generations’ shall praise and declare (Psalm 145:4); “I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6). The word ‘men’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5, Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2013

Some wrong answers, and the right answer, to the most important question of our life. Truths revealed by God versus a misplaced zeal.

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? Matthew 16:13-23. The most important question in the whole of our life concerns the Person of Christ. Who is He? What is He to us? Our answer to this question will determine what we believe, how we live, and where we will go when we die. 1. Jesus asked, “WHO DO MEN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

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

A Journey Back To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2022

The futility of contemplating a life without God.

A JOURNEY BACK TO FAITH. Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. The harder we try to understand the book of Ecclesiastes, the greater the temptation to chime in with the author’s refrain: “all is vanity!” Yet, somewhere along the way, we might realise that it is going ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stillness And The Power Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

Swimming against the religious tide is a lonely business. Doubts may follow, but the LORD recalls us to duty.

STILLNESS AND THE POWER OF GOD. 1 Kings 19:1-19. A. THE WILDERNESS OF DISSENT (1 Kings 19:1-8). It is hard when we stand out in the crowd, but Christians are different. The Bible names us a ‘peculiar people’ - called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). Privileges carry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time To Favour Zion.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2025

Keep on praying.

THE TIME TO FAVOUR ZION. Psalm 102:12-17. Man in his affliction may feel that his days are racing away from him (cf. Psalm 102:11). Yet, before our legitimate prayer (cf. Psalm 102:1) disintegrates into despair, it is well to remind ourselves that “thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever, and thy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 102:12-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Metaphor For Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 26, 2022

Such outpouring of ourselves, painful perseverance, tenacity in prayer - will cause us also to prevail. Thus, like Jacob, we will procure the blessing

A METAPHOR FOR PRAYER. Genesis 32:22-31. “The ford Jabbok” (Genesis 32:22) is significant, first, in that it was the border of the land of promise (cf. Numbers 21:24). Second, it was here that Jacob had a lifechanging encounter with God, and had his name changed from Jacob to Israel (Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Crowning Of The Year.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 1, 2022

A Psalm Song for harvest-time.

THE CROWNING OF THE YEAR. Psalm 65:1-13. 1. God in the Place of Sacrifice (Psalm 65:1-4). PSALM 65:1. “Praise waits for thee, O God.” Praise is not entertainment, but the grateful response of a thankful people to our gracious God. In some church gatherings you can just feel it: an awesome, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praise To God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 24, 2025

A call to worship the LORD.

PRAISE TO GOD. Psalm 96:1-9. 1. Creation. The Psalmist exhorts the earth to sing a new song to the LORD (PSALM 96:1). What is that new song? It is an acknowledgement that ‘the LORD reigns’ (cf. Psalm 96:10). That acknowledgement is based retrospectively in the realities of the creation ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pictures From The Sermon On The Plain.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2025

Building our lives upon Jesus.

PICTURES FROM THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN. Luke 6:39-49. 1. The Two Blind Men (Luke 6:39-42). “Can the blind lead the blind?” asked Jesus. “Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (LUKE 6:39). There is a certain arrogance about some would-be teachers of others. They boast that they can see, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

2nd Sunday In Lent, Year C. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 7, 2022

March 16th, 2025.

Genesis 15:1-12, Genesis 15:17-18, Psalm 27:1-14, Philippians 3:17-21, Philippians 4:1, Luke 13:31-35, Luke 9:28-43. A). CUTTING A COVENANT WITH THE LORD. Genesis 15:1-12, Genesis 15:17-18. After the battle of the kings, Abram no doubt would have had a rush of emotion. First of all, perhaps, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-12, Genesis 15:17-18, Psalm 27:1-14, Philippians 3:17-21, Philippians 4:1, Luke 13:31-35, Luke 9:28-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Proper Thinking Series

Contributed by Gregory Neill on Jan 17, 2007

Part 9 in a series on Philippians focusing on the mind of a Christian

The Joy of Proper Thinking Philippians 4:1-9 I. Introduction A. A Bright Future 1. In 1999 and 2000 Rick Ankeil was a sure fire star. a) He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals. b) Some called him the next Sandy Kuafax. c) He seemed to be a natural. 2. A New Season a) The 2001 became a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Word Goes Forth. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 5, 2023

A metaphor from God's dealings in Creation to describe God's dealings with His Word.

THE WORD GOES FORTH. Isaiah 55:10-13. Isaiah 55:10-11 is about God’s words not returning to Him void. At first, we might imagine that God is talking about the weather, with all this talk of rain and snow. And what if there is no rain, nor any melting snows from the mountains of Lebanon? Famine! ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational