Sermons on C Proper 16:

An Open-Ended Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 20, 2018

Waiting faith and expectant trust.

AN OPEN-ENDED PRAYER. Psalm 123:1-4. This is a short, impassioned prayer: a plea for help in the face of adversaries. It begins with adoration, with an abrupt “Unto You…” (PSALM 123:1). This is a song of Ascents and its opening may be paralleled to another: ‘I to the hills will lift ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 123:1-4

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

Who Is God Seeking? (John 4:16-24) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

The answer: People who worship, in the Spirit (not "spirit") and in the truth.

Let's start this morning by rereading last week's passage, starting from John 4:1: (4:1) Then, when Jesus knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus, many more disciples he is making and baptizing than John-- although Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples-- (3) he left ...read more

Scripture: John 4:16-24, Ephesians 5:17-21

The Giddy Heights Of Agape Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 9, 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

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

Justice And Righteousness Better Than Rituals

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 19, 2020

The danger of worship without mercy.

JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS BETTER THAN RITUALS. Amos 5:18-24. Historically, Israel had split into two kingdoms shortly after the death of king David’s son, king Solomon. The ten tribes of the north rejected both the dynasty of David, and the worship of the Jerusalem temple, and set up their ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A City Of Habitation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 31, 2020

From a trackless wilderness to a City to dwell in.

A CITY OF HABITATION Psalm 107:1-7; Psalm 107:33-37. This Psalm is a call to thanksgiving to the LORD, “for He is good: for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). The writer longs that those whom the LORD has redeemed, whom He has redeemed from the hand of enemy - out of the east, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-7, Psalm 107:33-37

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

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

Brothers Together

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 25, 2020

Shades of opinion in the Christian church. We shall all appear before Christ.

BROTHERS TOGETHER. Romans 14:1-12. This passage has much to say about receiving one another in the Lord. Paul defines “the weak in the faith” (Romans 14:1) as those who have scruples about what they eat (Romans 14:2). Do not “despise” them, warns Paul; but he also warns the weak not to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sour Grapes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2020

From blame to shame. A call to repentance.

SOUR GRAPES. Ezekiel 18:1-4; Ezekiel 18:25-32. It seems to be very much a part of fallen human nature that we want to blame someone else for the things that go wrong in our lives. This all began in the garden of Eden, after the first couple ate of the forbidden fruit. Adam blamed both his ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-4, Ezekiel 18:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Blessed Shalt Thou Be.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 11, 2023

Fear the LORD, and it shall be well with thee.

BLESSED SHALT THOU BE. Psalm 128:1-6. There are two words translated “blessed” in this Psalm. The first is ‘Esher,’ from which we have the name ‘Asher,’ and it means ‘how blessed,’ or ‘happy.’ So we have, “How blessed is every one that fears the LORD” (Psalm 128:1); but then, “happy shalt ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Recommissioning Of Ezekiel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2023

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

THE RECOMMISSIONING OF EZEKIEL. Ezekiel 33:7-11. EZEKIEL 33:7. The prophet Ezekiel had first been commissioned by the LORD to be a “a watchman” for “the house of Israel” back in Ezekiel 3:17. This is now a renewal of that commission. Again the warning comes from the LORD. EZEKIEL 33:8. As a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Petulance Of Jonah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2023

God, for His part, cares for the whole of His creation.

THE PETULANCE OF JONAH. Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11. The LORD is merciful to those who repent (JONAH 3:10; cf. Psalm 130:3-4). When Jonah at last arrived in Nineveh after his circuitous journey, his message was simple: ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown’ (cf. Jonah 3:4). ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:10, Jonah 4:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Show Me Thy Ways, O Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2023

Way points to Torah, but Torah points to Christ.

SHOW ME THY WAYS, O LORD. Psalm 25:1-9. This is a prayer for all seasons. A prayer of trust amid enemies (Psalm 25:2-3). A prayer for guidance in the perplexities of life (Psalm 25:4-5). It is a prayer in celebration of God’s mercy and loving-kindness (Psalm 25:6). A prayer made in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational