Sermons on C Proper 18:

Jesus Returns To Bethany.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 12, 2022

Mary, Lazarus, and Jesus in the spotlight.

JESUS RETURNS TO BETHANY. John 12:1-11. As the Passover drew near, Jesus set out once again towards Jerusalem, and stopped awhile in Bethany. This was the place, the writer reminds us, “where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom Jesus raised from the dead” (John 12:1). The ever-busy Martha ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Royal Nativity. Revised.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 18, 2022

The most significant census of all history.

A ROYAL NATIVITY. Luke 2:1-7. Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that “all the world” should be “registered” (Luke 2:1). Unbeknown to the mighty Emperor, this was going to be the most significant census of all history. After all, even the most powerful of potentates are subservient, whether ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seek The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 12, 2024

Responding to the call of God.

SEEK THE LORD. Isaiah 55:1-9. The Bible is full of wonderful gracious invitations. ISAIAH 55:1 begins with a call to the thirsty to come to the waters. This is in order to quench, not a physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst. Those who seek to be made righteous through the Lord Jesus Christ ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Relentless Rhythms Of Time.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 10, 2024

A time for everything.

THE RELENTLESS RHYTHMS OF TIME. Ecclesiastes 3:1-13. ‘Turn, turn, turn’ is the refrain of the old pop song based upon these verses. However, time is not circular, but linear: it is more like a river relentlessly, but always, running downstream. It is our subjective experience of time that gives ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Praising The Beauty Of Holiness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 31, 2025

Before we can talk about the “city of our God” we must recognise and acknowledge the God of the city. The Bible does not begin with Jerusalem, but with God. The New Testament does not begin with the church, but with Jesus.

PRAISING THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. Psalm 48:1-7. This psalm begins with a simple statement of fact: “Great is the LORD” and, because of the greatness of the LORD, He is “greatly to be praised” (PSALM 48:1a). Where is the LORD to be praised? In the place that God has chosen (cf. 2 Chronicles ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 48:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Breaking Down The Walls

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

Church, in the final analysis, defines a people who are in the world but not of the world - ministering to the world.

BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS. Ephesians 2:11-22. Church. A building or a people? Churches. Buildings constructed over supposed holy sites, in which various forms of worship take place. Some of these original citadels have disappeared, their walls removed to build alternative edifices. The problem ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Building Of The House

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 13, 2013

The LORD watches over His people.

THE BUILDING OF THE HOUSE. Psalm 127. This is a “song of degrees,” sung upon the ascent to Jerusalem for worship. It is “for” - or about - Solomon. David had wanted to build a house for the LORD, but the LORD had replied that it was He who would build a “house” - that is, a family and a future ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Playing The Green Game

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Dec 2, 2006

An Exposition of 1 Sam. 18

Playing the Green Game 1 Sam. 18 How many of you own a dog here, raise your hands? We own a dog at our house by the name of Maggie Mae Mutt. Contrary to popular belief, she is a playful and even friendly dog- as long as she knows you. We have had her since she was just a puppy, and in a lot of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:1-29

Denomination: Baptist

"What Makes The New Covenant Superior" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Feb 13, 2009

Sermon 18 in a study in HEBREWS

“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.” NASB “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 8:1-13

Denomination: Orthodox

A New Beginning

Contributed by Victor Yap on Dec 31, 2011

Neh 9:1-18

A NEW BEGINNING (NEHEMIAH 9:1-18) Dan Crawford (1870-1926) spent most of his adult life serving as a missionary in Africa. When it was time to return home to Britain, Crawford described to an old Bantu the kind of world he was about to return to. He told him about ships that ran under the water, on ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ultimate Weapon Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Feb 19, 2019

Ephesians 6:10-18

GEARING UP FOR WAR - The Ultimate Weapon October 24, 2022 Ephesians 6:10-18 Introduction: Frank Peretti wrote two books called, “This Present Darkness” and “Piercing the Darkness.” In these two fiction books he gives us a glimpse of the spiritual warfare that takes place ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ruth: Determined To Be Faithful Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on May 13, 2019

Ruth 1:16-18

WOMEN OF WONDER - Ruth: Determined to be Faithful May 19, 2019 Ruth 1:16-18 (p. 182) Introduction: [An old man and old woman were sitting on their back porch as the sun set…It was a beautiful evening and the old man was overcome with emotion and looked at his wife and said, ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Be Loved Or Be Hated

Contributed by Jonathan Koskovich on Apr 22, 2020

John 15:18-19

Be loved or be hated John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. See the theme for this ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-19, Romans 5:8

Our Glorious Future Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jul 29, 2019

Romans 8:18-25

STRAIGHT FROM ROMANS 8 - Our Glorious Future May 29, 2022 Romans 8:18-25 Introduction: I watched a movie the other day called “All the Money in the World.” So, spoiler alert. It was the story of J. Paul Getty, the richest man in the world…One of his grandsons, Paul, is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ