Sermons on C Proper 9:

An Oratorio Of Steadfast Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 11, 2013

A lone singer stirs up his soul to praise, and ends by summoning the whole of Creation to join his joyful song.

AN ORATORIO OF STEADFAST LOVE. Psalm 103:1-13; Psalm 103:22. The book of Psalms begins with the consideration of the truly blessed man (Psalm 1:1), and ends with a crescendo of praise in which all that breathes is exhorted to praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6). En route there are highs and lows, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-13, Psalm 103:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Triumphant Entry And The Cleansing Of The Temple.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 28, 2024

"Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest" (MATTHEW 21:9).

THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY AND THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE. Matthew 21:1-13. Jesus approached Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with His disciples - and to present Himself as the ultimate Passover lamb (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7). Yet it has to be clear from the beginning that Jesus was coming as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Contest On Mount Carmel

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

Prevarication is not an option!

THE CONTEST ON MOUNT CARMEL. 1 Kings 18:20-39. The prophet Elijah is nothing if not bold in his confrontation with King Ahab. The king accused Elijah of being “he that troubles Israel” (1 Kings 18:17). The prophet’s retort was rather to accuse Ahab and his family of troubling Israel, as they had ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yet I Will Not Make A Full End

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 10, 2016

A text of hope in the context of God's determination against His people.

“YET I WILL NOT MAKE A FULL END”. Jeremiah 4:11-12; Jeremiah 4:22-28. Many of our readings in Jeremiah seem to, like Lamentations, open out on to a vista of total devastation and despair. However, depending on what translation one uses, there is hope: “yet I will NOT make a full end” (Jeremiah ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 4:11-12, Jeremiah 4:22-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Essential Article Of The Christian Faith

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 6, 2016

Death is not the end.

AN ESSENTIAL ARTICLE OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH. Luke 20:27-38. The Sadducees, the ruling class in the Jerusalem Temple, flatly denied the resurrection of the body (Luke 20:27). They failed to find this teaching in their only authoritative Scriptures, the five books of Moses (Genesis to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Psalm Of Trust.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

The reliability of the One who protects us.

A PSALM OF TRUST. Psalm 91:1-6, Psalm 91:14-16). PSALM 91:1-2. The opening verse of this Psalm seems to state the obvious: “those who take their shelter under the Most High are sheltered by the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Yet there is a reason for this turn of speech: even those ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1-6, Psalm 91:14-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Act Of Love Of A Forgiven Woman, And The Inclusivity Of Jesus' Ministry.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 23, 2016

Nurturing our relationship with Jesus is an essential part of our Christian formation.

1. A FORGIVEN WOMAN’S ACT OF LOVE. Luke 7:36-50. This incident ties in with two earlier episodes, illustrating Jesus’ conquest over sickness (Luke 7:1-10), death (Luke 7:11-17) - and now sin. The unnamed woman is identified as “a sinner” (Luke 7:37; Luke 7:39; Luke 7:47). This tells us nothing ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50, Luke 8:1-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Table Etiquette In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 6, 2016

This is God's work, and the order of priority in God's kingdom.

TABLE ETIQUETTE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Luke 14:1; Luke 14:7-14. One Sabbath, one of the chief Pharisees gave Jesus the courtesy of a dinner invitation. Jesus courteously accepted. Somewhat discourteously, the Pharisees were keeping their eye on Jesus (Luke 14:1). It was on this occasion, as ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1, Luke 14:7-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Understanding Revelation #9 Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Oct 16, 2008

What is the war with the dragon in Revelation 12? And who are the two beasts described in Revelation 13?

SESSION #9: REVELATION #12 – WAR WITH THE DRAGON: “Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.” (Rev. 12:1-2). • A woman clothed ...read more

Denomination: *other

When Faith Falters

Contributed by Jeffrey Dillinger on Mar 28, 2020

Sometimes “maybe” is all I have. Finding faith when I am in pain, when my world is crumbling, when I don’t understand is difficult. Lord, I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.”

When Faith Falters (Mark 9:14-29) Intro: A. For Peter, James and John life was incredible. They had witness Jesus radiating like the sun; they had seen two great heroes (Moses and Elijah) who were dead, but obviously living talking to Jesus; they had heard the voice of God ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Sprinkling With Hyssop

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2017

A Psalm of true repentance.

A SPRINKLING WITH HYSSOP. Psalm 51:1-17. In this solemn Psalm of repentance, we dive in (headfirst, as it were) with a plea for mercy. The verbs “have mercy… blot out… wash me… cleanse me” (Psalm 51:1-2) all appear to be in the imperative: but they are in fact plaintive pleas based in the fact ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Are Those In Need Of God's Grace

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Sep 14, 2007

A sermon for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, [Proper 19] Series C

16th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 19] September 16, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we give you thanks that you sent your Son into our world to redeem and restore sinners to a right ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Who Knows All The Teachings Of Jesus?

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Sep 21, 2007

A sermon for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 20, series C

17th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 20] September 23, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, you sent your Son, Jesus the Christ, into our world to reveal your word and grace to us. But sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Lutheran

"Lord, Increase Our Faith"

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Oct 5, 2007

A sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Series C, Proper 22

19th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 22] October 7, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, you sent your Son into our world to reveal your will and grace for our lives. But we confess that we have ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:5-10

Denomination: Lutheran

The Healing Of The Ten Lepers Is Not Just About Thanksgiving

Contributed by Ronald Harbaugh on Oct 13, 2007

A sermon for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 23, Series C

20th Sunday after Pentecost [Pr. 23] October 14, 2007 “Series C” Grace be unto you and peace, from God our Father and from our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father, guide us through your Holy Spirit, that we might read your Word, digest its meaning, and understand its ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Lutheran