Sermons on Proper 18:

To The Seven Churches Of Asia Minor

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 27, 2013

Jesus is Lord, and He is coming...

TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA MINOR. Revelation 1:4-8. GREETINGS Revelation 1:4. Here in a broad epistle from the Apostle John, “Grace and peace” combines a variation on the customary Greek “Greetings” with a condensed version of the traditional Jewish “Shalom.” The efficacy of the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Right Use Of Our Talents

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 28, 2014

Our stewardship of what God has entrusted to us.

A RIGHT USE OF OUR TALENTS. Matthew 25:14-30. A “talent” (Matthew 25:15) was a small gold coin valued at the equivalent of fifteen years national minimum wage. Whatever currency we translate that into, it is bound to be tens of thousands - and more. Five talents was enough to provide one of our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Ascension Of Elijah.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 19, 2013

Passing on the mantle: issues of succession in the church.

THE ASCENSION OF ELIJAH. 2 Kings 2:1-12. I. ASCENSION The taking up of Elijah by the LORD prefigures the ascension of the Lord Jesus, and anticipates our own meeting with Jesus in the air. 1. Elijah’s ascension was attended by horses and chariots. As Elisha and the sons of the prophets ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Resting Place For The Ark Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2015

True prayer is based in the covenant and promises of God, which He has given us in Christ Jesus.

A RESTING PLACE FOR THE ARK OF GOD. Psalm 132. King David, ‘the man after God’s own heart’ (Acts 13:22), wanted to bring the ark-of-the-covenant up to Jerusalem. ‘We consulted it not in the days of Saul,’ he reasonably reasoned (1 Chronicles 13:3). However, even our best intentions fall short ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 132:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Final Personification Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 15, 2015

Wisdom is compared to the virtuous woman in this closing poem of the book of Proverbs: the very personification of Christ, and of all that we all should be in Him.

A FINAL PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM. Proverbs 31:10-31. The book of Proverbs closes with an acrostic poem which commends the virtues of a certain (literally) “strong woman” (Proverbs 31:10). If we have been reading through the book up to this point, we will find that we have met her already. This ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Caring Prayer And Praying Care

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

Holistic Healing within the Church.

CARING PRAYER AND PRAYING CARE. James 5:13-20. In the previous verses (James 5:7-12), James exhorted us to patience. The writer mentioned the sufferings of the prophets as an example of endurance (James 5:10). However, patience need not be passive: it will also see us engaged in prayer. AN ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Hall Of Faith

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 27, 2013

Running the race with the heroes of the faith, with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

THE HALL OF FAITH. Hebrews 11:29-12:2. 1. In the earlier verses of Hebrews 11, the ‘Hall of Faith’ (as I have called it) spoke of faithful individuals, ranging from Abel through Abraham to Moses. Now we have a shift to the plural, emphasising the collective faith of all involved. “By faith THEY ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29-40, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Accessibility Of The Word Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 6, 2019

But - praise be to God - God has already come down in the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ACCESSIBILITY OF THE WORD OF GOD. Deuteronomy 30:9-14. The Book of Deuteronomy as a whole, and Deuteronomy 29-30 in particular, are written in terms reminiscent of Ancient Suzerainty treaties. Under certain terms and conditions outlined in the pronouncement of curses and blessings, a ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Grant Van Boeschoten on Feb 1, 2008

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NRSV) 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

New Beginnings Grant van Boeschoten January 20, 2007 There are a lot of golfers out there who have convinced themselves that it is OK to cheat, they even came up with a name for it so that it didn’t sound so bad. It’s called a Mulligan, a do over, a second chance. Here is how it goes. You step ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19

Christ Our Creator Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 2, 2011

Christ was there: 1. To create (vs. 7 & 18). 2. To be close (vs. 7 & 21-22). 3. To care (vs. 8-9 & 15). 4. To command (vs. 17-18). 5. Ready to go to the cross (1 Peter 1:19-21).

Series: Old Testament Encounters with Christ Part 2: Christ Our Creator Genesis 2:7-22 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - November 30, 2011 *A couple of weeks ago we started exploring Christ in the Old Testament. Vs. 7 here tells us that “the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:7-22

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph's Obedience: The Message Of Peace Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 20, 2018

Matthew 1:18-25 highlights that obedience as seen through the: 1) The Predicament of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-19), 2) The Point to Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), 3) The Prophecy for Joseph (Matthew 1:22-23), and 4) The Performance of Joseph (Matthew 1:24-25)

Families have various expectations for one another at Christmas. Regardless of how far away you might live, many times they expect a visit or even a grand get together for Christmas. Regardless of the reason, the various means of travel from air, train or road are often congested and difficult. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Other

The Faith Of Abraham

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2013

Faith sees beyond the perplexities and difficulties of the present situation.

THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM. Genesis 22:1-19. Sometimes in our Christian lives we are challenged to surrender to God that which we hold most dear, that upon which we set our hopes, even that which God has given to us as a gift. God promised Abraham a son, but the patriarch’s wife Sarah was barren. So ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Power Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Jun 12, 2009

This sermon stresses the benefits of thanksgiving in our day to day lives and unveils what the bible has to say about seeing our troubles from the proper perspective.

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving… It has always been so strange to me how Thanksgiving has changed since its original conception—even from when I was a kid. For instance, how ironic is it that the very day after Thanksgiving just happens to be the biggest shopping day of the year! Think about ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Narnia: Always Winter But Never Christmas Series

Contributed by Bruce Rhodes on Dec 23, 2005

This is a story about Christmas, the Cross and Resurrection power. It is a story about good overcoming evil and the triumphant reign of god restoring all things to their proper place.

Advent Series – Narnia Message #1 Always Winter but Never Christmas Introduction: The Chronicles of Narnia will hit the big screen on Friday, December 9, and I can’t wait to see it. This series of books written by C. S. Lewis is an allegorical presentation of the story of Jesus. We have read ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1

Denomination: Methodist

The Heavenly And The Earthly.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Aug 3, 2001

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Colossians 3: 1-11 Title: “The Heavenly and the earthly.”

Year C NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENECOST (PROPER 13) AUGUST 5, 2001 Colossians 3: 1-11 Title: “The Heavenly and the earthly.” The first two chapters of this letter focused on the person of Christ. It is Paul’s belief that if we get Christ right we get everything else right. The second half of the letter ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran