Sermons on C Proper 22:

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

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

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

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 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

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

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 Blessing Of The Compassionate.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 1, 2024

"The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive" (PSALM 41:2).

THE BLESSING OF THE COMPASSIONATE. Psalm 41:1-4. This is a Psalm of David. It is quite possibly about David. It is also about our Lord Jesus (except that Jesus has no personal sin to confess, unlike Psalm 41:4). Psalm 41:1. “Blessed is he who considers the poor: the LORD will deliver him ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 41:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Neighbours.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 12, 2024

Applying Christian ethics to our daily dealings.

NEIGHBOURS. Leviticus 19:13-18. This section deals with certain ethical matters, framed for the economic, social, judicial, and neighbourly aspects of daily living. The refrain throughout is “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.” A holy walk with God is best seen in our attitudes to ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:13-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Under The Shadow Of Thy Wings.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 10, 2024

"Show thy marvellous lovingkindness" (Psalm 17:7).

UNDER THE SHADOW OF THY WINGS. Psalm 17:1-8. PSALM 17:1. How can a man, born dead in trespasses and sins, plead with the LORD to “hear the right?” Well, it is as Abraham said, ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ (Genesis 18:25). When we use this Psalm, we are not appealing to our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 17:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Trial Of Steadfast Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2024

Humble yourselves before God and resist the devil.

A TRIAL OF STEADFAST FAITH. 1 Peter 5:5-11. “Yea, ALL OF YOU be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility” (1 PETER 5:5b). This calls for mutual respect and humility, preferring the other to oneself. The reason follows: “for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jehovah Series

Contributed by Chip Van Emmerik on Oct 19, 2006

If God has a proper name by which men can call Him, it is Jehovah.

Open Who is God? That is the question we began looking at last week. All of Scripture tells us about God - what He is like, what He wants, how we can know Him and please Him. Yet, in all the Bible, there is not more eloquent answer to our question than what we find revealed in the names God ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist