Sermons on Proper 14:

The Call Of Moses. Part Two.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 22, 2025

The LORD's gracious compassion. Moses commissioned by the LORD.

THE CALL OF MOSES. Part Two. Exodus 3:7-15. EXODUS 3:7. The second thing that the LORD said was, I have surely “seen” the affliction of my people which are in Egypt; I have “heard” their cry; for I “know” their sorrows. This echoes the end of the previous chapter: Israel ‘sighed’ by reason of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-15

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

The Son Of Laughter.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 6, 2023

Is anything too hard for the LORD?

THE SON OF LAUGHTER. Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7. 1. The promise (Genesis 18:1-15). This passage is described as an encounter in which “the LORD” (= YHWH, Hebrew) “appeared unto” Abraham when he was having his siesta “in the heat of the day.” When he lifted up his head, suddenly, there ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1-15, Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Wife For Isaac.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2023

When we walk in God's way, He orders our steps.

A WIFE FOR ISAAC. Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67. The 24th chapter of the Book of Genesis is a beautifully written and well-crafted telling and retelling of the history of the mission of Abraham’s servant to find a wife for Isaac. The whole passage moves along at a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 24:34-38, Genesis 24:42-49, Genesis 24:58-67

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Genuine Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 7, 2020

Another song of agape love.

GENUINE LOVE. Romans 12:9-13. In Greek, the first clause of Romans 12:9 has no verb, so could literally be rendered “love without hypocrisy” or “love unfeigned”. From this, I have taken ‘Genuine Love’ as a title for this section. The second clause talks about evil and good, forming a kind of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Mammon Of The Prophets.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 19, 2023

They may as well cover their lips since they had nothing to say from God.

THE MAMMON OF THE PROPHETS. Micah 3:5-12. Jesus said, ‘Ye cannot serve God and Mammon’ (cf. Matthew 6:24). Yet this was what “the prophets” of Prophet Micah’s day were trying to do: they would preach “Peace” to those who fed them, but would “prepare war” against those who “putteth not into ...read more

Scripture: Micah 3:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Flows From Within.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 6, 2023

Our outer life has its source in what is going on inside us.

WHAT FLOWS FROM WITHIN. Matthew 15:10-28. I). The War Against Sin. Matthew 15:10-20. MATTHEW 15:10-11. Jesus turned away from the Pharisees and summoned the crowd to Himself. “Hear and understand,” He taught. Despite what the Pharisees might teach, “it is NOT that which goes into the mouth ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Bother?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Aug 3, 2001

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?”

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23 Title: “Why bother?” Written probably about three centuries before Christ, the Book of Ecclesiastes marks an advance over the doctrine of divine retribution. Simplistically put, that doctrine stated that ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

"Praise”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 30, 2002

July 7, 2002 -- SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 9 Psalm 145:8-15 (Psalm 145:8-14 NRSV) Color: Green Title: “Praise”

July 7, 2002 -- SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST -- Proper 9 Psalm 145:8-15 (Psalm 145:8-14 NRSV) Color: Green Title: “Praise” This is an alphabetic, each succeeding verse begins with the subsequent letter of the alphabet, song of praise. Verse thirteen, has the “m” and “n” lines “ in one verse, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:1-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Mindsets.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 5, 2023

God did what the law could not. The present state of the believer is one of hope.

MINDSETS. Romans 8:1-11. I. A SET FREE MINDSET. Romans 8:1-5. “Then-now-no” begins the Greek of this wonderful chapter of God’s Book. This firm negation placed right at the beginning of the sentence serves to emphasise the absolute impossibility of there ever being any “condemnation” - to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Death Of John The Baptist (Mark 6:14-29)

Contributed by David Smith on Nov 5, 2007

The Death of John the Baptist. No doubt all of those who had thrown in their lot with John figured that their reform movement had just come to a grinding and bloody halt!

No doubt all of you are deeply concerned, as I am, about what could prove to be the beginnings of World War III breaking out this week in the Middle East. The Israeli army moved into Lebanon this week, ostensibly to take on Hezbollah militants operating from within Lebanon who apparently captured ...read more

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Give God What Is His (November 14, 2021)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 11, 2021

Since we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26,27) all of who we are belong to God! How well and how often do we take that timeless advice---giving to God what belongs to Him?

Matthew 22:15-21  Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.  (16)  So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-21

Denomination: United Methodist

Smelling Salts - Ecclesiastes 6:10-7:14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 21, 2025

The deepest joy comes from living in reality, not the stupor of trivia. So God gives us smelling salts to wake us up.

How do you enjoy life when things go wrong in this bent, twisted, crooked world? This passage teaches us a half dozen crucial principles on how to maintain our joy even in the face of hardship, disappointment, and even death. Ecclesiastes 6:10 Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is ...read more

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

Sour Grapes

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2020

From blame to shame. A call to repentance.

SOUR GRAPES. Ezekiel 18:1-4; Ezekiel 18:25-32. It seems to be very much a part of fallen human nature that we want to blame someone else for the things that go wrong in our lives. This all began in the garden of Eden, after the first couple ate of the forbidden fruit. Adam blamed both his ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:1-4, Ezekiel 18:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational