Sermons on C Proper 29:

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

Not Through Law

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 13, 2018

When we believe in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, our faith also will be accounted as righteousness.

NOT THROUGH LAW. Romans 4:13-25. The Apostle Paul has already established that Abraham was not justified (made righteous) by works, otherwise he would have grounds of boasting - and who can boast before God? (Romans 4:2). Neither was Abraham justified by circumcision, since that rite was not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:13-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call And Compassion Of Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 14, 2020

Jesus calls sinners, heals the sick and raises the dead.

THE CALL AND COMPASSION OF JESUS. Matthew 9:9-13; Matthew 9:18-26. 1. The Call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9-13) Wherever we live, under whatever regime, tax collectors are unpopular. It was no different in first century Israel, where Matthew’s trade involved collaboration with the Romans, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Matthew 9:18-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Neighbour

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 18, 2020

Agape love as the fulfillment of the law.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR. Romans 13:8-10. The imperative, “To no one nothing owe you (all), but to love one another” (Romans 13:8a) follows on from the discussion of being subject to ‘the powers that be’ who - whether we voted for them or not - are ‘ordained of God’ (cf. Romans 13:1). This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Shame Of The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 17, 2019

Jesus… for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.2.

THE SHAME OF THE CROSS. Psalm 70. I want to speak to you today about the shame of the Cross. This is what we see in Hebrews 12:2, and which Paul elaborates elsewhere by saying that Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Tree that we might be redeemed from the curse of the Law (Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 70:1-5, Hebrews 12:2

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 Correct Treatment Of The Poor.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 27, 2021

Jesus said, You have the poor always with you. Matthew 26:11.

THE CORRECT TREATMENT OF THE POOR. Proverbs 22:1-2, Proverbs 22:8-9, Proverbs 22:22-23. We have here three pairs of poetic couplets about attitudes to the poor. It is not that the Bible is against wealth itself, or even wealthy people. King Solomon, the writer of some of these Proverbs, was ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:1-2, Proverbs 22:8-9, Proverbs 22:22-23

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

The Righteous Rejoice.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 19, 2023

When believers rejoice, we rejoice in the LORD. Praise is an appropriate response for what God has done for us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE RIGHTEOUS REJOICE. Psalm 33:1. “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright” (Psalm 33:1). We see first of all the exhortation: “Rejoice in the LORD” (cf. Philippians 4:4). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22). When we abide in Jesus the true vine, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:1

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

Who Trusts In Him Is Blessed.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

Tasting the goodness of the LORD.

WHO TRUSTS IN HIM IS BLESSED. Psalm 34:1-8; Psalm 34:19-22. David was ‘on the run’ from king Saul. Mistakenly thinking that he might find refuge with the Philistines, he only escaped from their clutches by feigning madness (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Then he hid in a cave. Knowing that David was in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-8, Psalm 34:19-22

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

Off With His Head

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jul 14, 2012

Sermon for Proper 10 (Sunday between July 10 and July 16 inclusive) Year B

Off With His Head / Mark 6: 14 - 29 Intro: Have you ever heard the expression “Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive.” It was first published by Sir Walter Scott in a poem titled, “Marmion” in 1808. It is often mistakenly attributed to Wm. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:14-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Guidelines For Christianity: Blessed Are Those Who Hunger And Thirst Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 26, 2015

Without the proper intake of water, your body will suffer greatly. The same can be said of your spiritual life if you don’t have a proper intake of righteousness.

We’re in a series focusing on the (8) attitudes Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount we’re to have as His disciples. We are learning that each of these attitudes determines our altitude. Jesus offered these beatitudes to remind us that God isn’t focused on man’s outward ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Baptist