Sermons on C Proper 9:

A Strange Land.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2022

Strangers and pilgrims in this world.

A STRANGE LAND. Psalm 137. The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Note Of Praise

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 21, 2019

An apt overture to the crescendo of Praise with which the Psalter ends!

A NOTE OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:1-5; Psalm 145:17-21. A lone voice opens the Psalm: “I” will extol thee; “I” will bless (Psalm 145:1); “I” will bless; “I” will praise (Psalm 145:2). ‘Generations’ shall praise and declare (Psalm 145:4); “I” will speak and declare (Psalm 145:5-6). The word ‘men’ ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-5, Psalm 145:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Journey Back To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2022

The futility of contemplating a life without God.

A JOURNEY BACK TO FAITH. Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. The harder we try to understand the book of Ecclesiastes, the greater the temptation to chime in with the author’s refrain: “all is vanity!” Yet, somewhere along the way, we might realise that it is going ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

2nd Sunday After Pentecost. June 2nd, 2024. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 8, 2023

Year B, Proper 4.

1 Samuel 3:1-20, Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 139:13-18, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Psalm 81:1-10, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-28, Mark 3:1-6 A). THE CALL OF SAMUEL AND THE FALL OF ELI. 1 Samuel 3:1-20. I). HE IS CALLING YOU BY NAME. 1 Samuel 3:1-10. The days of the Saviour-Judges were drawing to a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-20, Psalm 139:1-6, Psalm 139:13-18, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Psalm 81:1-10, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Mark 2:23-28, Mark 3:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stillness And The Power Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 13, 2013

Swimming against the religious tide is a lonely business. Doubts may follow, but the LORD recalls us to duty.

STILLNESS AND THE POWER OF GOD. 1 Kings 19:1-19. A. THE WILDERNESS OF DISSENT (1 Kings 19:1-8). It is hard when we stand out in the crowd, but Christians are different. The Bible names us a ‘peculiar people’ - called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). Privileges carry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sovereignty Of God And Human Responsibility

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 18, 2014

There is no pleasing some people. If they make up their minds not to put their trust in Jesus, any excuse will suffice to prevent commitment.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY. Matthew 11:16-30. A) The children were out playing on the streets. ‘Let’s play weddings,’ suggested the girls: but the boys would not. ‘Let’s play funerals,’ countered the boys: but the girls would not. A preacher came, austere in his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:16-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Crowning Of The Year.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 1, 2022

A Psalm Song for harvest-time.

THE CROWNING OF THE YEAR. Psalm 65:1-13. 1. God in the Place of Sacrifice (Psalm 65:1-4). PSALM 65:1. “Praise waits for thee, O God.” Praise is not entertainment, but the grateful response of a thankful people to our gracious God. In some church gatherings you can just feel it: an awesome, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Open-Ended Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 20, 2018

Waiting faith and expectant trust.

AN OPEN-ENDED PRAYER. Psalm 123:1-4. This is a short, impassioned prayer: a plea for help in the face of adversaries. It begins with adoration, with an abrupt “Unto You…” (PSALM 123:1). This is a song of Ascents and its opening may be paralleled to another: ‘I to the hills will lift ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 123:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Great Thy Goodness!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 21, 2026

From thanksgiving to exhortation.

HOW GREAT THY GOODNESS! Psalm 31:19-24. PSALM 31:19. “The LORD” has plentiful “goodness” “laid up” for those who “fear” Him. It is an inheritance which we can draw upon even in this life! When we “trust” Him, He brings deliverance in full view of a mocking world. PSALM 31:20. The LORD “hides” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 31:19-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pictures From The Sermon On The Plain.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 14, 2025

Building our lives upon Jesus.

PICTURES FROM THE SERMON ON THE PLAIN. Luke 6:39-49. 1. The Two Blind Men (Luke 6:39-42). “Can the blind lead the blind?” asked Jesus. “Shall they not both fall into the ditch?” (LUKE 6:39). There is a certain arrogance about some would-be teachers of others. They boast that they can see, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:39-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Metaphor For Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 26, 2022

Such outpouring of ourselves, painful perseverance, tenacity in prayer - will cause us also to prevail. Thus, like Jacob, we will procure the blessing

A METAPHOR FOR PRAYER. Genesis 32:22-31. “The ford Jabbok” (Genesis 32:22) is significant, first, in that it was the border of the land of promise (cf. Numbers 21:24). Second, it was here that Jacob had a lifechanging encounter with God, and had his name changed from Jacob to Israel (Genesis ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 32:22-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Amazing Faith Of A Centurion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 10, 2016

I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Luke 7:9).

AMAZING FAITH OF A CENTURION. Luke 7:1-10. It is interesting to note that, in this busy little cameo, two of the main characters remain offstage throughout. In Luke’s record, the incident takes place immediately after the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49). Jesus had said all He was going to say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Globalwarming B.c.

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Aug 18, 2007

Climate change is not a new thing. In fact the bible records how society dealt with it in the 9th century B.C. Two leaders had very different ideas about how to solve the crisis. One chose the living God.

The Mountain of Battle Today we look at two leaders with very different perspectives about God, Religion and Authority. Our study is not unlike the times we live in. Even in our present age we are faced with two powerful leaders who seem to be destined to square off over God, Religion and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:16-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Greater Cantata

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2013

Creation's harmonious praise.

THE GREATER CANTATA. Psalm 96:1-13. Psalms 93-100 are sometimes known as the “enthronement” Psalms. Yet this is not the enthronement of any earthly king (Psalm 93:1; Psalm 97:1; Psalm 99:1). Many of the words of this particular Psalm (Psalm 96) make their first appearance at the instalment of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Anointed Ruler, Divine King

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 15, 2017

The Old Testament expectation was inclining towards the coming of the warrior king. Instead, He appeared as the man on the donkey.

ANOINTED RULER, DIVINE KING. Zechariah 9:9-12. In a series of visions, Zechariah reached beyond the needs of his own time to the coming of Jesus. In Zechariah 9:1, the eyes of men, and all Israel, were looking towards the return of the LORD to His city and Temple. The departure was foretold by ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational