Sermons on Proper 21:

Amazing Faith Of A Centurion

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 9, 2016

I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel (Luke 7:9).

AMAZING FAITH OF A CENTURION. Luke 7:1-10. It is interesting to note that, in this busy little cameo, two of the main characters remain offstage throughout. In Luke’s record, the incident takes place immediately after the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49). Jesus had said all He was going to say ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Food For The Journey

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 1, 2014

When we 'feed' on the means of grace we are not only spiritually, but also physically, fortified for the journey.

FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY. 1 Kings 19:4-8. The vengeful Queen Jezebel had the power and the authority to have the prophet Elijah executed, and let him know so (1 Kings 19:1-2). Hearing this, Elijah fled (1 Kings 19:3). There are times when flight is not so much cowardice as wisdom - and it is in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Song For The Journey

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 6, 2014

The pilgrimage of life may - or even must - lead by the way of the Cross: but the destination is assured.

A SONG FOR THE JOURNEY. Psalm 121. This is a “song of ascent” - quite possibly sung by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem for one of the festivals. It would be an appropriate Psalm for returning exiles, too, when faced with the dangers of a thousand mile journey back across the wilderness from ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 121:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Body Of Christ, And The Christian Law Of Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2015

Members of one another, and loving the brethren as Christ loved us.

THE BODY OF CHRIST AND THE CHRISTIAN LAW OF LOVE. 1. Members one of another (Ephesians 4:25-32). All of our relationships within the body of Christ must be governed by the Christian law of love (Ephesians 4:2). One of the practical reasons given for “putting away the lie” (as the Greek of ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 4:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Part In The Refining Process

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 11, 2013

This seemingly random selection of exhortations follows on from Hebrews 12:29, and represents our part in the refining process which God is working in our lives (cf. Ephesians 4:1).

OUR PART IN THE REFINING PROCESS. Hebrews 13:1-8; Hebrews 13:15-16. I. PRACTICAL LOVE (Hebrews 13:1-3). 1. “Brotherly love” (Hebrews 13:1). Jesus is ‘not ashamed’ to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11-12). The readers of Hebrews are viewed as ‘holy brethren’ (Hebrews 3:1). This section begins ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:1-8, Hebrews 13:15-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Critique Of Pharisaic Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 20, 2014

To say and to do not, versus the grace of humility.

A CRITIQUE OF PHARISAIC HYPOCRISY. Matthew 23:1-12. Turning away from the Pharisees, Jesus addressed both the crowds and His own disciples (Matthew 23:1). From the outset, Jesus acknowledged the legitimacy of the Pharisees as a party within Judaism: they “sit in Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2). ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Active Watchfulness

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 27, 2014

Are we really ready to meet Him?

A CALL TO ACTIVE WATCHFULNESS. Matthew 25:1-13. The parable of the ten virgins comes on the back of a call to watchfulness, which is illustrated by the faithfulness of a dutiful servant as opposed to the unfaithfulness of an evil servant (Matthew 24:42-51). The contrast is shifted into the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Good Deposit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 14, 2013

1. "Keep the Committed Deposit" of the gospel; 2. In a verse which has become so familiar in translation that we almost forget to check the Greek language which lies behind it, we discover that only "He is able to Keep my Committed Deposit."

THE GOOD DEPOSIT. 2 Timothy 1:6-14. At the end of his previous letter, Paul encouraged Timothy to ‘KEEP’ - or guard - the ‘COMMITTED DEPOSIT’ (1 Timothy 6:20). In the second letter, Paul reiterates this instruction in much the same words: “the good DEPOSIT COMMITTED … KEEP” (2 Timothy 1:14). ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Wretched To Blessed

Contributed by David Roth on Oct 5, 2020

The religious leaders of Isreal were removed from the kingdom of God because of their rejection of the prophets and of Christ. As Christians, Christ has placed us into His kingdom, that we would serve Him by handing over the fruits His righteousness produces.

J. J. May the words of my mouth, and the meditations of our hearts, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen. (Ps. 19:14) “From wretched to blessed” Two weeks ago, we heard Jesus tell a parable about a vineyard, and how the owner of the vineyard paid the same wage ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

The Cost Of Discipleship.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 1, 2022

Let us not be of those who draw back.

THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP. John 6:60-71. JOHN 6:60. “Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” Many “disciples,” who had been following Jesus for a season, were now beginning to turn back. All this talk about eating His flesh – ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Ready At Any Moment: Living Awake For The Returning King - Luke 12:40 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 13, 2026

History is not random, time is not endless, and life is not merely about getting by until retirement. There is an appointed moment when the Son of Man will return—and He expects His people to be ready.

Ready at Any Moment: Living Awake for the Returning King - Luke 12:40 Introduction: Living as Though Today Matters Church, we live in an age of notifications, deadlines, diaries, and distractions. Everything clamours for our attention. Yet Jesus speaks a word that cuts through the noise of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:40, Luke 12:35-48, Matthew 24:44, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, Daniel 7:13-14, Amos 4:12, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christ Alone Series

Contributed by Dan Brown on Dec 5, 2006

Paul starts his letter to the Colossians presenting the proper image of who X is and what He has done.

Sermon 8/13/06-Col. 1:15-2:3-Christ: The One and Only Ill. John Phillips former assistant director of Moody Correspondence School: -young son -reading Bible story of Elijah’s being caught up into heaven in a chariot of fire. -asked “would you like to go to heaven one day?” - “No!” - “Why not, ...read more

Denomination: *other

Our Gifts

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Oct 2, 2002

A sermon for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 20 A sermon about using our gifts for God

20th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 22 Matthew 21:33-46 Our Gifts  33* ¶ "Hear another parable. There was a householder who planted a vineyard, and set a hedge around it, and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to tenants, and went into another country. 34* When the season ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Denomination: Lutheran

Jesus Upon The Cross.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 29, 2021

Hope in the midst of suffering.

JESUS UPON THE CROSS. Psalm 22:1-15. The details of the sufferings in Psalm 22:1-21 match more exactly the anguish of Jesus upon the Cross than anything that we can find in any of the written records of David’s life - and because of this the church has always read this Psalm of David as a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Celebration Of God-Given Opportunity

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2015

Hannah was seeing beyond the circumstance of the birth of Samuel to something of its significance.

A CELEBRATION OF GOD-GIVEN OPPORTUNITY. 1 Samuel 2:1-10. The Song of Hannah is a song of reversals. It was a celebration of a God-given opportunity through the birth of a child. Yet it is not only a personal response to one particular situation: it is a response which all of God’s people are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational