Sermons on Proper 18:

The Mustard Seed And The Leaven

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 27, 2014

From small beginnings, the World-Wide Church. The hidden workings of the Word in a life.

THE MUSTARD SEED AND THE LEAVEN. Matthew 13:31-33. I. The Mustard Seed. This Sermon had its roots in a children’s address given long ago and far away. At that time I was interested (for all the best practical reasons) in gardening. I brought some seeds as a visual aid, and drew attention to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

O Children Hither Do Ye Come

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 25, 2013

Building upon his own recent experience of deliverance and answered prayer, David became an encourager.

O CHILDREN HITHER DO YE COME. Psalm 34:9-14. Building upon his own recent experience of deliverance and answered prayer, David became an encourager. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ comforts and consoles us not only for our own benefit, but so that we might ‘pass it on’ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Stands In Awe Is Blessed

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 4, 2014

When we put our trust in the righteous LORD we shall not lose our reward.

WHO STANDS IN AWE IS BLESSED. Psalm 112:1-10. Like its immediate predecessor, PSALM 112 is an acrostic poem, using the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order as the opening letter of each line. PSALM 112:1 can best be represented in English by: “Alleluia. Blessed is the man…” The ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 112:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Answer To The Tyranny Of Self

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 27, 2015

Be alert to the wiles of the devil. Be ready to deny self, and follow Jesus.

AN ANSWER TO THE TYRANNY OF SELF. Mark 8:27-38. The first half of the Gospel of Mark tells of Jesus’ presentation to the people as an authoritative teacher who also happened to use healing (and exorcism) as a teaching device. In the second half the Lord started to prepare His inner circle of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glory Of God Returns To The Temple

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 10, 2016

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former … and in this place will I give peace.

GOD’S GLORY RETURNS TO THE TEMPLE. Haggai 2:1-9. The rebuilding of the Temple of God at Jerusalem about 537 BC met with early discouragements and setbacks. It is in this context that we first hear the prophet Haggai (Ezra 5:1). The whole of Haggai's short canonical book is designed to lift ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Trials Of Job

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 21, 2013

A God's-eye view on the struggles of life.

THE TRIALS OF JOB. Job 1:1; Job 2:1-10. Job was an upright man. There was none so righteous in the entire East. No doubt, like Lot, he vexed his righteous soul with the wickedness of those around him. He worried lest his sons might not follow him in his righteousness: lest perhaps they might ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-10, Job 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Update On The Gerasene Demoniac; A Story Of Power.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Jun 23, 2019

The Gerasene demoniac is a true story and not a parable. It has funny and strange features within; but it is a story that allays our fears and demonstrates the power of our Lord. It relieves our

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 23rd June 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. 1 Kings 19:1-4, (5-7), 8-15a Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:26-39

Denomination: Episcopal

But Christ!

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 6, 2019

The way into the Holiest.

BUT CHRIST! Hebrews 9:1-14. We have been comparing and contrasting the new covenant with the old, the heavenly tabernacle with the earthly; the substance with its shadow (cf. Hebrews 8:1-13). Also the ministry of Jesus with that of Aaron (cf. Hebrews 5:1-10). In this passage we see ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Shows His Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 30, 2013

Our need of salvation met - in God's perfect time - in Jesus' death. Our reconciliation: cause for rejoicing.

GOD SHOWS HIS LOVE. Romans 5:1-11. Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Those who believe in Jesus and put their trust in Him are made right with God. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to them and they are ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fight The Good Fight Of The Faith

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 7, 2013

Flee, follow, fight, lay hold, and obey. The makings of the man of God.

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF THE FAITH. 1 Timothy 6:11-16. The title “man of God” (1 Timothy 6:11) is addressed to Timothy in contradistinction to ‘any man who teaches otherwise’ (1 Timothy 6:3). The expression is occasionally used of prophets in the Old Testament. In the New Testament it will come ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Lost Sheep And A Lost Coin.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2022

Man in sin is lost, whether he is aware of it or not. Jesus came to seek that which was lost. The testimony of Christians is, I once was lost, but now am found.

A LOST SHEEP AND A LOST COIN. Luke 15:1-10. In the first parable of today’s reading we see the caring shepherd. He left his ninety-nine other sheep in order to seek the one that was lost, until he had found it. This is an image which is familiar from both the Old Testament and the New Testament: ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Grace Of The Lord In The Midst Of Famine.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 11, 2021

A miraculous and timely provision.

THE GRACE OF THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF FAMINE. 1 Kings 17:8-16. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (James 5:17). This may seem an audacious thing to pray ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Not Too Late To Learn From God's Judgments On You (Isaiah 42:18-43:7) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 14, 2024

When we live in rebellion, and life falls apart, sometimes it's because that's God's judgment. 2+2 sometimes equals 4. God wants us to learn from his judgments.

Imagine, if you will, a married couple having an argument. One spouse accuses the other of being difficult, or pig-headed, or lazy, or unreasonable, or something. Some harsh words are said by one party. The spouse on the receiving end of it looks at the other, and says, "Hey, wait. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:18-25, Isaiah 43:1-7, 1 Corinthians 11:30, 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

The Cleansing

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on Oct 10, 2021

This is an outline for a sermon based on Revelation 18-19:10. Do you need to cleanse your sou from the sins of the world? If so you must do it now.

Sermon Outline Revelation 18-19:10 Michael H. Koplitz 1. ‘Theological Method’ – used to read scripture as defined by Helmut Thielicke – modified. • Recognizing that the Bible has been given directly to me from God. • Understanding what God is saying to me. • I must become involved with God’s Word ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-10

Denomination: United Methodist

Hope Amid Hopelessness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 17, 2019

God is good, and all things work together for good.

HOPE AMID HOPELESSNESS. Lamentations 3:19-26. It is all too easy to forget that these words of hope and encouragement have been drawn out of the midst of the Book of Lamentations. Jeremiah penned these among the ashes of Jerusalem, a city once known as ‘the joy of the whole earth’ (Psalm ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational