Sermons on C Proper 29:

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

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 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 Righteousness Of God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2022

The key word in this stanza of the Psalm is righteous/ righteousness. The word appears five times in the section.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. Psalm 119:137-144. PSALM 119:137. “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” “Righteous art thou, O LORD,” is a declaration of the righteousness of God. And because He is righteous, all His “judgments” are “upright,” or “just.” Thus ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:137-144

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 28, 2022

Job looks forward to meeting Jesus at the resurrection of the dead.

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH. Job 19:23-27. JOB 19:23-24. “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed (literally, ‘inscribed’) in a book! That they were graven (literally, ‘engraved’) with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” Something written on a scrap of paper is ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sun Of Righteousness Shall Arise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 4, 2022

A prophecy of the incarnation of Jesus.

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL ARISE. Malachi 4:1-2. There was a remnant in the days of Malachi who reverenced the LORD and remained loyal to Him (Malachi 3:16-18). Those who revere the LORD are remembered by the LORD and are made up as His jewels. And when He returns, He shall discern ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pray Not For This People!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 9, 2022

The context of Jeremiah 14:11.

PRAY NOT FOR THIS PEOPLE! Jeremiah 14:7-10, Jeremiah 14:19-22. A series of droughts affected Judah during the reign of King Jehoiakim. The watercourses were empty, the ground was chapped, and there was no grass for the livestock. Nobles and their children, ploughmen, and both domestic and ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:7-10, Jeremiah 14:19-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Proper Order In The Church Meeting Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 20, 2012

In today's lesson, we learn that there must be proper order in the church meeting.

Scripture We continue our study in The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians in a series I am calling Challenges Christians Face. One of the challenges that Christians face is the issue of spiritual gifts. Let’s learn more about that in a message I am calling, “Proper Order in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Drawing Of Naaman The Outsider

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2013

It is a mark of true leadership to be able to take advice from those whom we lead.

THE DRAWING OF NAAMAN THE OUTSIDER. 2 Kings 5:1-14. ‘While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). Those who were ‘far off are made nigh by the blood of Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:13). Holistic healing comes to those who are outside (Luke 4:27). Naaman, as commander of the Syrian army, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14

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

Pretentious Verses Proper Fasting Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 14, 2010

Fasting must be done so for the right reasons, and Jesus contrasts 1) Pretentious (Matthew 6:16) against 2) Proper Fasting (Matthew 6:17-18)

With the start of the Paralympics in Vancouver, one factor that has been stressed is the fact that the athletes competing should be considered as athletes just as much as their able bodied competitors who just finished. The Para Olympians train, and diet like their other Olympic cohorts. For many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Denomination: Other

The Bad And The Good Shepherd

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 29, 2013

Contrasting irresponsible shepherds with Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

THE BAD AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Ezekiel 34. The teaching of Jesus and of the New Testament is that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who seeks out the lost sheep, and dies for His flock. This is in contrast to those who are not shepherds at all, but merely hired helps, who have no personal concern with ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Gain The Proper Perspective On Sanctification” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 13, 2009

If we are to know the happiness God has in mind for His children, we need to understand sanctification.

We have seen how the Beatitudes are progressive in nature, beginning with our gaining the proper perspective on salvation, which leads us to mourn over personal sin, which leads us to an attitude of humility with regards to self and a deep desire to be like Jesus. This is work of God in our life is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist