Sermons on Goodly And Proper:

A Mind For Service

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2020

Gifts given for the benefit of the Church.

A MIND FOR SERVICE. Romans 12:3-8. Romans 12:3. “For” connects with the immediately preceding two verses, in which it has been made clear that, as an act of gratitude for God's mercy (outlined in the whole of the preceding 11 chapters), we should submit our bodies to Him as a ‘living ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Israel As Vine

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 3, 2020

A plea for grace: Turn us again, O God of hosts.

ISRAEL AS VINE. Psalm 80:7-15. The Psalmist bemoans the plight of the divided tribes of Israel, and boldly expresses his perplexity at God’s dealings with them. Belief in the God of Israel is not blind faith, but an informed trust. One expression of our confidence that the LORD is in control ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 80:7-15

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

Who Is So Great As Our God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 1, 2022

1-2. Importunate prayer. 11-15. Meditating upon the works and wonders God. 16-20. Remembering our salvation history.

WHO IS SO GREAT AS OUR GOD? Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20. PSALM 77:1. “I cried unto God with my voice.” This sounds like one persistent prolonged or repeated cry. There is an intensity about it that cannot prevent it becoming vocalised, ‘out loud’ (as we say). The mouth utters what the heart is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trusting God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

Our refuge is in the LORD.

TRUSTING GOD. Psalm 91:9-16. Christians under persecution have testified to the literal truth of Psalm 91:9-10 – but this does not alter the fact that Christians still do suffer. There are times when God does not deliver us FROM things, but rather delivers us IN things (Romans 8:37). The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:9-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Great Throng Of Returning Exiles.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

I will lead them.

A GREAT THRONG OF RETURNING EXILES. Jeremiah 31:7-9. This song calls us to gladness for Jacob (Jeremiah 31:7). Jacob is referred to as the chief - or foremost - of the nations (Jeremiah 31:7). This did not square with the present experience of either Ephraim or Judah - scattered and in exile - ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Is The Commandment.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 15, 2021

Hear O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:4-5.

THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT. Deuteronomy 6:1-9. “This is the commandment” (Deuteronomy 6:1) is emphatic. The whole law is boiled down to the one commandment to “love the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The outworking of this commandment is seen in our ‘loving our neighbours as ourselves’ ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rich And Poor In The Church Of Jesus Christ

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

There are no 'untouchables' with God!

RICH AND POOR IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. James 2:1-17. James 2:1. The Greek of this section of the letter of James begins somewhat abruptly: “My brethren, not with partialities!” The impact of the whole sentence is: “Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons.” ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ins And Outs Of Religious Purity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 8, 2018

Timeless teaching from Jesus as to the true nature and source of sin.

THE INS AND OUTS OF ‘RELIGIOUS’ PURITY. Mark 7:1-23. Every branch of society has its own traditions: some good, some bad, and some inconsequential. It doesn’t matter whether it is the pomp and ceremony of monarchy, or the ritual ‘pardon’ of a turkey at Thanksgiving. Some traditions are ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

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

Against Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 12, 2019

A court case - with the people of God in the dock.

AGAINST HYPOCRISY. Psalm 50:1-8; Psalm 50:16-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:16-23

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

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

Jesus Speaks Of Marriage, And Blesses The Young Children.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 16, 2024

From One Flesh (Mark 2:8) to a Child-like Faith (Mark 2:15).

JESUS SPEAKS OF MARRIAGE, AND BLESSES THE YOUNG CHILDREN. Mark 2:2-16. (I). A NAUGHTY QUESTION. Mark 10:2-12. The Pharisees’ question about divorce was worse than mischievous in that it, like many of their questions addressed to Jesus, was asked with the intention of “tempting” Jesus into ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:2-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ark Brought Up To Jerusalem.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 13, 2024

All our actions should be regulated by the word of God.

THE ARK BROUGHT UP TO JERUSALEM. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19. No sooner had David been anointed king over all Israel, than the Philistines came up against him. David’s instinct back then was to ‘enquire of the LORD’ as to what he should do (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-19). And David ‘did as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational