Sermons on C Proper 7:

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

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

Holy Boldness And Gracious Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Shaping our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God.

HOLY BOLDNESS AND GRACIOUS SUBMISSION. Genesis 18:20-32. This is the earliest prayer to be written down in the Bible. The prayer conversation was not initiated by Abraham, but by the LORD, who allowed Abraham to overhear His musings about the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold The Days Are Coming.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 23, 2022

The restoration of post-exilic Israel, and the new covenant in Christ.

BEHOLD THE DAYS ARE COMING. Jeremiah 31:27-34. “Behold, the Days are Coming.” This is a recurring motif in Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 30:3; Jeremiah 31:27; Jeremiah 31:31; Jeremiah 33:14-15). There is a certainty about it because it is a declaration of the LORD. The time of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Orders Of The Day.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 26, 2022

Instructions to the man of God.

ORDERS OF THE DAY. 1 Timothy 6:6-19. # 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 arises not from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Follow My Leader

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 29, 2018

Receive not the grace of God in vain.

FOLLOW MY LEADER. 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. In his earlier letter, Paul had spoken of himself and others as ‘God’s fellow-workers’ (1 Corinthians 3:9). The word for “fellow-workers” gives us our English word, ‘synergy’, which speaks of a combined effort, a co-operation with God if you will. It ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Parable Of The Serving Master.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2023

Be prepared for the return of Jesus at an unexpected time.

PARABLE OF THE SERVING MASTER. Luke 12:32-40. Jesus reminds His “little flock” that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The imperative of Luke 12:33, rightly understood, becomes a marker of where our heart lies (Luke 12:34). We must hold the things of this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

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

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

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

Stand Fast And Hold On.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

Let no man deceive you.

STAND FAST AND HOLD ON. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational