Sermons on C Proper 23:

Alas For The City.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 7, 2022

Is it nothing to you?

ALAS FOR THE CITY. Lamentations 1:1-6. LAMENTATIONS 1:1. The opening word could be rendered, “Alas!” The translation “How” introduces an exclamation, but also has an element of questioning in it. We might say, “How come?” The verb “she sits” introduces “the city” as feminine, so perhaps we ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great High Priest

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 10, 2018

The superiority of Jesus' priesthood gives us boldness to approach the throne of grace.

GREAT HIGH PRIEST. Hebrews 4:14-16. The priesthood of Jesus is superior to that of Aaron. As a man like ourselves, Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest: yet, unlike Aaron, He is capable of facing and overcoming temptation on our behalf (Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:15). For though He is a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Overview Of The Book Of Habakkuk

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 17, 2013

The LORD gives us 'strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow'.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF HABAKKUK. Habakkuk 1-3. Habakkuk 1 – THE BURDEN. Habakkuk 1:1. When Habakkuk speaks of his message as a burden, it is to convey something of its weightiness. No prophet should take God's words upon his lips lightly; but neither are those who are truly called to ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17, Habakkuk 2:1-20, Habakkuk 3:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The C Word Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Aug 31, 2006

What really describes what a Christian? What do you do that sombone would give you the nickname of Christian....can anyone tell?

The C word Acts 11:19-30 If you are keeping up with your reading you know that this scripture is an ongoing story about the growth and expansion of the church. Last weeks reading starts with A gentile Cornelius, a Roman centurion that is a God fearer. He has a visitor, an angel that tells him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Congregational

A Basket Of Ripe Summer Fruit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2019

Seek God, do justice - before it is too late.

A BASKET OF RIPE SUMMER FRUIT. Amos 8:1-12. This vision and its interpretation is based in a pun: the Hebrew word for “Summer fruit” sounds almost identical with the word translated “the end” (Amos 8:1-2). Read Amos 4:6-11 for a litany of the temporal judgments which the LORD laid upon ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12

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

The Wanderers In The Wilderness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 30, 2022

Having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2.12.

THE WANDERERS IN THE WILDERNESS. Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43. This Psalm is a call to thanksgiving to the LORD, “for He is good: for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). The writer longs that those whom the LORD has redeemed, whom He has redeemed from the hand of enemy - out of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43

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

The True Treasure.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2022

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

THE TRUE TREASURE. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 1. A Word To Poor Christians (1 Timothy 6:6-10.) Paul’s response to those who suppose that ‘gain = godliness’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5) is the exact opposite: “But godliness + contentment = great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This contentment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Elisha.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

No looking back.

THE CALL OF ELISHA. (1 Kings 19:15-16; 1 Kings 19:19-21). The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of: 1. A foreign tyrant (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:11-13); 2. A new dynasty (1 Kings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is So Great As Our God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 1, 2022

1-2. Importunate prayer. 11-15. Meditating upon the works and wonders God. 16-20. Remembering our salvation history.

WHO IS SO GREAT AS OUR GOD? Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20. PSALM 77:1. “I cried unto God with my voice.” This sounds like one persistent prolonged or repeated cry. There is an intensity about it that cannot prevent it becoming vocalised, ‘out loud’ (as we say). The mouth utters what the heart is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Confidence Of The Foolish Exposed.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 5, 2022

Man in his pomp, and without understanding, will be like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49 verses 12 and 20.

THE CONFIDENCE OF THE FOOLISH EXPOSED. Psalm 49:1-12. This is a wisdom Psalm, addressed to “all people”: “both low and high, rich and poor, together” (Psalm 49:1-4). It is an encouragement to the poor not to fear (Psalm 49:5; cf. Psalm 37:7). It is an exposure of the folly (cf. Psalm 49:13) ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 49:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The All-Seeing Eye.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 19, 2022

Blessed to be chosen by the LORD.

THE ALL-SEEING EYE. Psalm 33:12-22. This passage begins with a beatitude: PSALM 33:12. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” In ancient times, it was only Israel who had such a relationship with the LORD. Not that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational