Sermons on C Proper 17:

Craving The Bread Of Life

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 11, 2018

‘Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures unto eternal life’ (John 6:27).

CRAVING THE BREAD OF LIFE. Psalm 78:23-29. This Psalm, the second longest in the Book, demonstrates the cycle of (i) God’s provision for His people/ (ii) their ingratitude and rebellion/ (iii) God’s punishment of them/ (iv) followed by new offers of grace. The passage before us focuses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 78:23-29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Child-Like Humility

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 10, 2018

If you want to be first, learn to be last!

A CHILD-LIKE HUMILITY. Mark 9:30-37. 1. CONTEXT (Mark 8:29-34). On the back of Peter’s famous confession of faith (Mark 8:29), Jesus began to teach His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection (Mark 8:31). About this the disciples were, to say the least, slow on the uptake: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shame Of The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 17, 2019

Jesus… for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.2.

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS. Psalm 70. I want to speak to you today about the shame of the Cross. This is what we see in Hebrews 12:2, and which Paul elaborates elsewhere by saying that Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Tree that we might be redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5, Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Trusts In Him Is Blessed.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

Tasting the goodness of the LORD.

WHO TRUSTS IN HIM IS BLESSED. Psalm 34:1-8; Psalm 34:19-22. David was ‘on the run’ from king Saul. Mistakenly thinking that he might find refuge with the Philistines, he only escaped from their clutches by feigning madness (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Then he hid in a cave. Knowing that David was in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-8, Psalm 34:19-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introduction To The Little Apocalypse.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

This message is not just for the early disciples, but for us all.

INTRODUCTION TO THE LITTLE APOCALYPSE. Mark 13:1-8. Mark 13, and its equivalents in Matthew 24 and Luke 21:5-36, is sometimes entitled “the little apocalypse.” This passage is poised between Jesus’ teaching in the Temple (Mark 12), and the account of the Passion (Mark 14-15). The main thrust of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christ The King, Our Advent Hope.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 25, 2021

An everlasting kingdom.

CHRIST THE KING, OUR ADVENT HOPE. Daniel 7:9-10; Daniel 7:13-14. Our reading in Daniel needs to be looked at within its own context: that of a dream portraying the chaos of Empire and Empire building, and the cruelty and ultimate futility of it all. In DANIEL 7:9, “thrones have been thrown ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel 7:13-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call And Compassion Of Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 14, 2020

Jesus calls sinners, heals the sick and raises the dead.

THE CALL AND COMPASSION OF JESUS. Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 9:18-26. 1. The Call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13) Wherever we live, under whatever regime, tax collectors are unpopular. It was no different in first century Israel, where Matthew’s trade involved collaboration with the Romans, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous Rejoice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2023

When believers rejoice, we rejoice in the LORD. Praise is an appropriate response for what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE RIGHTEOUS REJOICE. Psalm 33:1. “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1). We see first of all the exhortation: “Rejoice in the LORD” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22). When we abide in Jesus the true vine, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take Heart. It Is I

Contributed by Nathan Webb on Aug 16, 2023

A sermon for the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 14.) A look at the gravity of Jesus' appearance on the water in the midst of the storm.

“Take heart, it is I.” Jesus has just fed more than five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples are picking up twelve baskets of leftovers. Each one of them packs a basket with their travelling gear. It’s getting late and Jesus has told them, “It’s time to head ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Thanksgiving For The Grace Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 25, 2024

Thank God for the grace given by Jesus Christ.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GRACE OF GOD. 1 Corinthians 1:4-8. Paul offers thanksgiving to God for the church at Corinth (1 CORINTHIANS 1:4). This is good pastoral care: Paul wants the Corinthians to know that, even if he does have some stern words to speak to them, it is because his heart longs for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Without Hypocrisy.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 2, 2023

Agape love in action.

LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY. Romans 12:9-16b. In Greek, the first clause of Romans 12:9 has no verb, so could literally be rendered “love without hypocrisy” or “love unfeigned”. So far in Romans, ‘agape’ has spoken of the love of God toward us (cf. Romans 5:5; Romans 5:8; Romans 8:35; Romans 8:39). ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding The Different Roles Of Men And Women In The Church Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 7, 2001

THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH GODLY MEN AND GODLY WOMEN TO FULFILL THEIR PROPER ROLES

BIG IDEA: THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH GODLY MEN AND GODLY WOMEN TO FULFILL THEIR PROPER ROLES I. EXPLANATION OF THE DIFFERENT ROLES A. Men Need to Lead in Prayer in the Public Assembly 1. Action -- "Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray" Wuest: "The word ’therefore’ is resumptive, picking ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Seek Ye First

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 17, 2020

Giving first place to the things of God.

SEEK YE FIRST. Matthew 6:19-34. 1. Heart-Treasure. “Treasure not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,” begins Matthew 6:19. Moths destroy clothes (cf. Isaiah 51:8). Even gold and silver can become cankered (cf. James 5:2). Thieves can literally “dig through” mud-brick houses. No, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Awaiting The Manifestation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 30, 2024

From suffering to glory.

AWAITING THE MANIFESTATION. Romans 8:18-23. Paul weighs “the sufferings of the present time” over against “the glory which shall be revealed in us” (ROMANS 8:18; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Our inheritance is not only what God has to offer, but God Himself (cf. 1 John 3:2). It is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

After The Fall.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 3, 2024

Read also Psalm 90:7-10.

AFTER THE FALL. Genesis 3:17-19. As a result of the Fall of Adam, man's days as a gentleman gardener were at an end. The ordinance of work would give way to the tedium of toil. Since man had chosen to eat of the forbidden fruit, it would only be with a huge struggle that he would hereafter ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:17-19, Psalm 90:7-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational