Sermons on C Proper 20:

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 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

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

20/20 Vision

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Apr 23, 2012

A church is headed nowhere until it has a clear vision

20/20 Vision 2 Chronicles 20:20 What is the most common surgery performed in the US? According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the most common surgery is: Lens and cataract procedures… specifically- laser eye surgery People want their vision restored to 20/20 When it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:20

Denomination: Baptist

20/20 Faith Series

Contributed by Steven Boersma on Oct 17, 2011

Seeing the past clearly enables Habakkuk to look ahead with 20/20 faith. His fear is turned to faith. His worry is transformed into worship. His terror becomes trust. His hang-ups are resolved with hope. And his anguish melts into adoration.

20/20 Faith Habakkuk 3:1-19 Introduction: 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal clarity or sharpness of vision. It is measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you are fortunate enough to have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Godvid-20/20 Series

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Apr 19, 2020

COVID-19 has resulted in a pandemic that has devastated the entire world. Many people are hurting, confused and frustrated. Tragically some have even died. And it’s still not over. And if that was not enough, other tragedies are occurring. Thankfully the Lord God Almighty has the solution . . .

GODVID-20/20 COVID-19 has resulted in a pandemic that has devastated the entire world. Many people are hurting, confused and frustrated. Tragically some have even died. And it’s still not over. And if that was not enough, other tragedies are occurring. Thankfully the Lord God Almighty has the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

20 20 Vision

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 29, 2019

With this year being 2020, its worthwhile to ask: what would 20/20 vision look like for us as Christian and for our church?

OPEN: Three ladies were in a restaurant and as they picked up their menus each one put on a pair of glasses. A little embarrassed, the first woman said "I really only need mine for close reading." The second shyly remarked, "I only use mine when the light is bad." The third ...read more

Scripture: John 12:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

20-20 Vision

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Jun 21, 2023

The reward of knowing the mind of God, the reward of living in the will of God, is freedom. Fear of people keeps us imprisoned; fear of God sets us free.

At the Alpha conference I went to a few weeks ago I had a very interesting conversation with a colleague on the more liberal end of our denominational spectrum. It was particularly interesting in that the Alpha program is for evangelism, and I was surprised to see someone on the other end ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-33, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 2:12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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 Child-Like Humility

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 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

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 Call Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 23, 2018

Make me an offer I can't refuse!

THE CALL OF WISDOM. Proverbs 9:1-6. Even before she invited us, Lady Wisdom “built her house” (Proverbs 9:1). The hewing out of Lady Wisdom’s “seven pillars” speaks of completeness (unlike the ‘folly’ in Edinburgh which was never completed), spaciousness, and endurance. ‘I go to prepare a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 9:1-6

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

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