Sermons on Proper 21:

A Strait Betwixt The Twain.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 24, 2023

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

A STRAIT BETWIXT THE TWAIN. Philippians 1:21-30. The Apostle Paul had just referred to his ‘earnest expectation and hope’ that Christ should now be ‘magnified’ in Paul’s body ‘whether by life or by death’ (cf. Philippians 1:20). Suddenly, it seems, Paul found himself in a state of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things Planned Long Ago

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 31, 2020

The ultimate triumph of the gospel.

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO. Isaiah 25:1-9. This passage begins in song (Isaiah 25:1), and ends in song (Isaiah 25:9), with a feast in between (Isaiah 25:6-8). The first song is a solo, “You are my God” (Isaiah 25:1) and begins with praise to the LORD for “the wonderful things” that He has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 12, 2020

The word of God is effectually working in you who believe.

THE GOSPEL OF GOD. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. Paul is continuing to speak about the Thessalonian reception of the gospel message from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:9. Now, still addressing them as “brethren” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:1), he reminds them of what they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Allure Of Wisdom

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 21, 2018

Wisdom's plaintive plea. The danger of refusal. A promise to those who will hear.

THE ALLURE OF WISDOM. Proverbs 1:20-33. One day I was out shopping on one of the pedestrianised streets of Norwich, England, when a sudden commotion stopped me in my tracks. The City Crier’s vigorous ringing of his hand-bell, and his cry of ‘Oh Yay! Oh Yay!’ seemed to be right in my ear, and ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 1:20-33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of Elisha.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 28, 2022

No looking back.

THE CALL OF ELISHA. (1 Kings 19:15-16; 1 Kings 19:19-21). The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant Elijah was to call him back to duty, and to give him the responsibility for the anointing of: 1. A foreign tyrant (1 Kings 19:15; 2 Kings 8:11-13); 2. A new dynasty (1 Kings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:20-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Praise Psalm Of David

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 7, 2014

The LORD preserves all who love Him. This is the flip side of our own perseverance.

DAVID’S PSALM OF PRAISE. Psalm 145:8-9; Psalm 145:14-21. Psalm 145:8. Proclamation. “The LORD is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and merciful” (Psalm 145:8). This is similar to the self-revelation of the LORD to Moses (Exodus 34:6). It is an integral part of Israel’s understanding of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 145:14-21, Psalm 145:8-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joel - The Day Of The Lord (2:28 - 3:21) Part 2 Of 2 Series

Contributed by Rodney Fry on Oct 26, 2009

we shall complete our survey of Joel by reading 2:28-3:21... a. With attention to the prophetic element of this passage b. Offering comments concerning its interpretation

"STUDIES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS" Joel - The Day Of The Lord (2:28-3:21) INTRODUCTION 1. In our previous lesson on Joel, we saw that... a. Joel’s prophecy was occasioned by a plague of locusts - 1:2-4 b. He proclaimed the plague as a warning from God - 1:15-16 1) If ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Sharp Words Spoken By Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 25, 2018

All things are possible with God, but those who set their hearts on riches will be sadly disappointed.

SHARP WORDS SPOKEN BY LOVE. Mark 10:17-31. The first three Gospels all report Jesus’ encounter with the character who has become known by the composite name of ‘the rich young ruler’. They all mention that he was ‘rich’ (as in Mark 10:22), but only Matthew mentions that he was ‘young’ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living The Gospel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 24, 2021

The practical outworking of our relationship with the Father of lights

LIVING THE GOSPEL. James 1:17-27. James has already indicated that our God is a generous Giver (James 1:5). Here he cites God as the inexhaustible source of “every good act of giving, and every perfect gift” (James 1:17a). There is not so much as a shadow cast as a result of any ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Third Anointing Of David: King Over All Israel.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 21, 2024

The LORD of hosts was with him. 2 Samuel 5:10.

THE THIRD ANOINTING OF DAVID: KING OVER ALL ISRAEL. 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10. After the LORD had rejected Saul from being king (cf. 1 Samuel 15:23), the LORD sent Samuel to anoint David (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1). The LORD had sought Him ‘a man after His own heart’ (cf. 1 Samuel 13:14), and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-10

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

Feeding Five Thousand And Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 22, 2018

Hunger in the wilderness and wind at sea BOTH can kill: but the Rescuer comes.

A. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000. John 6:1-15. It was now nearly a year since Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Passover was fast approaching (John 6:4). Jesus and His disciples had tried to withdraw from the throng in Galilee, and sought some rest and relaxation in the Golan Heights: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Wanderers In The Wilderness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 30, 2022

Having no hope, and without God in the world. Ephesians 2.12.

THE WANDERERS IN THE WILDERNESS. Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43. This Psalm is a call to thanksgiving to the LORD, “for He is good: for His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). The writer longs that those whom the LORD has redeemed, whom He has redeemed from the hand of enemy - out of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pastoral Heart

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 10, 2020

The gentleness, love and self-sacrifice of a mother.

A PASTORAL HEART. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Having favourably described the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel message (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7), Paul now speaks of that first encounter from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:1. “For you yourselves know, brethren, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational