Sermons on C Proper 18:

Stand Fast And Hold On.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Let no man deceive you.

STAND FAST AND HOLD ON. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Promises To The Sincere.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2022

A changed heart and a new life.

PROMISES TO THE SINCERE. Isaiah 58:9-14. We who have heard His call and answered, “Here am I LORD, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) will now call on Him, and He will answer “Here am I” (Isaiah 58:9). When our ‘religion’ consists in more than outward rituals, and our deeds follow our souls in pity ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Model Of Intercessory Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2022

The power of the Cross.

A MODEL OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER. Exodus 32:7-14. Even as Moses finished his business with the LORD in the mount, the LORD disowned His covenant people, telling Moses to get down “for your people which you brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves” (Exodus 32:7). The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Unjust Steward.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2022

The unjust steward is not commended for his fraud, but for his thinking on his feet.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Luxury And Laziness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

There is the very real possibility that religious people are trusting in their religion, rather than in the true and living God.

LUXURY AND LAZINESS. Amos 6:1a, Amos 6:4-7. Amos was a farmer from Tekoa, to the south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). The LORD called Amos to ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel’ (Amos 7:15). The prophet’s ministry was thereafter directed mainly to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1, Amos 6:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love The Lord Thy God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 18, 2024

The LORD is God alone, and will tolerate no rivals.

LOVE THE LORD THY GOD. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. One of the core texts in the whole Bible is the Shema (DEUTERONOMY 6:4-5). “Hear O Israel…” is something of a refrain in Deuteronomy, much as Jesus would later often say, ‘he who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ Here we are told who the LORD is, and ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Drawing Of Naaman The Outsider

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2013

It is a mark of true leadership to be able to take advice from those whom we lead.

THE DRAWING OF NAAMAN THE OUTSIDER. 2 Kings 5:1-14. ‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). Those who were ‘far off are made nigh by the blood of Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:13). Holistic healing comes to those who are outside (Luke 4:27). Naaman, as commander of the Syrian army, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover - Year B - Proper 18

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 1, 2021

How do we react to others - are we quick to judge on appearance, and can we learn to be hearers and doers of the word?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning, the congregation had just settled into their service and had begun to sing the first hymn, when their attention was disturbed by a young man who was aimlessly wandering down the aisle. He was unkempt, ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17, Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Anglican

A Joyful Testimony

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 15, 2016

"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

A JOYFUL TESTIMONY. Psalm 30. The junior members of the drama group were playing the part of carol singers in the musical play Toad of Toad Hall. I can still remember hearing their sweet voices singing just one line: “Joy shall be yours in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). I did not know the Lord then, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

C.h.u.r.c.h.

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Sep 18, 2011

When you think of the word church what comes into your mind? Jesus Christ told Peter, “I will build my Church.” But what does that church look like? What is the church and what is intended to be?

C.H.U.R.C.H. Matthew 16:13-19 Introduction: When you think of the word church what comes into your mind? Jesus Christ told Peter, “I will build my Church.” But what does that church look like? A man was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Hiding Place For The Repentant

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 8, 2016

Before we can enter into the blessings which follow forgiveness, we must first admit our sin, and acknowledge our responsibility before God.

A HIDING PLACE FOR THE REPENTANT. Psalm 32:1-11. The beatitudes of Psalm 32:1-2 remind us of Psalm 1:1-2, which describes the righteous man and proclaims him blessed. Yet, since the fall of Adam, no mere man has been born with original righteousness. The second Psalm leads us to the place where ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Valley Of Tears.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 17, 2021

The LORD's leading in the pilgrimage of this life.

THE VALLEY OF TEARS. Psalm 84:5-7. “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways” (Psalm 84:5). So reads the Hebrew, without adding any extra words into the translation. The word for “ways” here speaks of a prepared way, as for when a ruling monarch is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:5-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God In His Proper Place Series

Contributed by Nathan Johnson on May 30, 2008

Sometimes, we do not have a right perspective of the Christian life because we do not have God where He belongs in our lives. He is not in His proper place.

God in His Proper Place Griffith Baptist Church – 6/15/08 P.M. Service Text: Psalm 33 Main Verse: Psalms 33:13 - The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. The Introduction A man was driving in the country one day and he saw an old man sitting on a fence rail watching the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1-22

Denomination: Baptist