Sermons on Proper 18:

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

Promises To The Sincere.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 1, 2022

A changed heart and a new life.

PROMISES TO THE SINCERE. Isaiah 58:9-14. We who have heard His call and answered, “Here am I LORD, send me” (Isaiah 6:8) will now call on Him, and He will answer “Here am I” (Isaiah 58:9). When our ‘religion’ consists in more than outward rituals, and our deeds follow our souls in pity ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:9-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Model Of Intercessory Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 4, 2022

The power of the Cross.

A MODEL OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER. Exodus 32:7-14. Even as Moses finished his business with the LORD in the mount, the LORD disowned His covenant people, telling Moses to get down “for your people which you brought up out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves” (Exodus 32:7). The ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:7-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Parable Of The Unjust Steward.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2022

The unjust steward is not commended for his fraud, but for his thinking on his feet.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Luxury And Laziness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

There is the very real possibility that religious people are trusting in their religion, rather than in the true and living God.

LUXURY AND LAZINESS. Amos 6:1a, Amos 6:4-7. Amos was a farmer from Tekoa, to the south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). The LORD called Amos to ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel’ (Amos 7:15). The prophet’s ministry was thereafter directed mainly to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1, Amos 6:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Stand Fast And Hold On.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

Let no man deceive you.

STAND FAST AND HOLD ON. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17. The church of the Thessalonians had heard a rumour concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered together to Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). There were those who taught that “the day of Christ” was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Confidence Of The Foolish Exposed.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 5, 2022

Man in his pomp, and without understanding, will be like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49 verses 12 and 20.

THE CONFIDENCE OF THE FOOLISH EXPOSED. Psalm 49:1-12. This is a wisdom Psalm, addressed to “all people”: “both low and high, rich and poor, together” (Psalm 49:1-4). It is an encouragement to the poor not to fear (Psalm 49:5; cf. Psalm 37:7). It is an exposure of the folly (cf. Psalm 49:13) ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 49:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That All People May Know Thy Name.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2021

The transcendence and immanence of God.

THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY KNOW THY NAME. 1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 1 Kings 8:22-30; 1 Kings 8:41-43. The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple in Jerusalem was a monumental moment in the history of God’s people (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6). Yet all the skill and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Kings 8:6, 1 Kings 8:10-11, 1 Kings 8:22-30, 1 Kings 8:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Love The Lord Because.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2021

Returning to our rest in Him.

I LOVE THE LORD BECAUSE. Psalm 116:1-9. If I was asked why I love the LORD, I might well answer: because He heard and answered my prayer (Psalm 116:1). Yet this may, at first glance, appear self-serving: what would I have to say for myself if my prayers had not been answered in the way that I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Time Of The End.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 20, 2021

Deliverance in a time of trouble. Resurrection and everlasting life. Wisdom and Witness.

THE TIME OF THE END. Daniel 12:1-3. DANIEL 12:1. “And at that time.” This reaches beyond the prophesied histories of the previous chapter to ‘the time of the end’ (cf. Daniel 11:35). “Michael” = 'Who is like God?' Various commentators throughout Christian history have ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:1-3

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

Orders Of The Day.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 26, 2022

Instructions to the man of God.

ORDERS OF THE DAY. 1 Timothy 6:6-19. # A WORD TO POOR CHRISTIANS (1 Timothy 6:6-10.) Paul’s response to those who suppose that ‘gain = godliness’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5) is the exact opposite: “But godliness + contentment = great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This contentment arises not from ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The True Treasure.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 13, 2022

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

THE TRUE TREASURE. 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19. 1. A Word To Poor Christians (1 Timothy 6:6-10.) Paul’s response to those who suppose that ‘gain = godliness’ (cf. 1 Timothy 6:5) is the exact opposite: “But godliness + contentment = great gain!” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). This contentment ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational