Sermons on C Proper 22:

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

Who Do You Look Down Upon, Who Are The Dogs In Your Life?

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 20, 2014

This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs investigation.

Genesis 45:1-15 Psalm 133 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: 10-28 Summary: This is a very disturbing story where a woman, at her wits end, was actually ignored by Jesus, who favoured the Jews. Why? God ticks Jesus off here. Did Jesus sin here? It certainly needs ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 15:10-28

Denomination: Episcopal

Social Skills Required From Jesus To Sort The Tantrums.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jan 24, 2014

At first glance this Gospel reading is very uninspiring; and read over it quickly, but there is much more to this story than meets the eye; its message, the social skills and the tantrums hide some secrets that lay hidden. Read on and enjoy …

Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42 Summary: At first glance this Gospel reading is very uninspiring; and read over it quickly, but there is much more to this story than meets the eye; its message, the social skills and the tantrums hide some secrets that lay hidden. Read on and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Episcopal

A Twofold Stewardship

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 28, 2015

The lessons behind a less well-known miraculous feeding.

A TWOFOLD STEWARDSHIP. 2 Kings 4:42-44. A certain man brought to Elisha a portion of the first-fruits of his land (2 Kings 4:42). It is not clear whether this was an offering over and above that required by the law (Leviticus 23:9-14), but either way this was a token of good stewardship on the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:42-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Word Of God, And A Heart For God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 6, 2021

This is an abbreviated version of my earlier sermon on the whole Psalm, which was entitled 'A Heart for God'.

THE WORD OF GOD, AND A HEART FOR GOD. Psalm 19:7-14. Creation, general revelation, does not stand alone in its testimony to God. The LORD God has entered into a covenant relationship with mankind, and spoken to us Himself. This ‘special revelation’ is explored in the second main section of this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-14

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

A Painful Account.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

The substitutionary character of the sacrifice of Jesus.

A PAINFUL ACCOUNT. Isaiah 53:4-12. The repulsion evoked by the Cross of Jesus is countered by the recognition of the substitutionary character of His sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4). We may have seen Jesus as One “stricken” by God – but the toll which He was paying was not His own. No, indeed, it was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4-12

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

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

The Promise And The Law.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 21, 2024

The immutability of the Promise, and the purpose of the Law.

THE PROMISE AND THE LAW. Galatians 3:16-22. 1. The Changeless Promise. Galatians 3:16-18. In GALATIANS 3:16, the Apostle Paul demonstrates from Scripture that the promises that the LORD made to Abraham are fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul makes much of the fact that the word “Seed” is ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Humble Yourselves Before God

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Aug 29, 2007

A sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 17, 2007

14th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 17] September 2, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, through the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ, you have given us the gift of your love, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Sin And Deliverance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 20, 2024

There was none to help except the Lord.

SIN AND DELIVERANCE. Psalm 107:13-22. This reading begins and ends with a “crying out” to the LORD, His deliverance, and a call to praise. In the first of the two examples here, the petitioners were portrayed as people who were held fast with iron chains in the darkest deepest dungeon, ‘in the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take It To The Lord In Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 3, 2025

Even our friends might let us down, but God never will.

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. Psalm 55:16-22. PSALM 55:16. King David was no stranger to ‘friends’ letting him down, but his bold assertion in the face of betrayal was: “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” The God upon whom he calls is the true and living God, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Feast Of Weeks.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2025

When I was a small boy growing up in England, Whit (or 'White') Sunday was a time when the girls put on new Summer frocks, and the boy wore a new suit. I knew little about Pentecost, but nothing at all about the Feast of Weeks.

THE FEAST OF WEEKS. Deuteronomy 16:9-12. At first glance the Feast of Weeks appears to be a purely agricultural festival (DEUTERONOMY 16:9-10), an offering of firstfruits to the LORD (cf. Exodus 23:16a; Exodus 34:22a). The timing of the Feast of Weeks is seven weeks and a day (in other words ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational