Sermons on Proper 21:

A Sprinkling With Hyssop

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 4, 2017

A Psalm of true repentance.

A SPRINKLING WITH HYSSOP. Psalm 51:1-17. In this solemn Psalm of repentance, we dive in (headfirst, as it were) with a plea for mercy. The verbs “have mercy… blot out… wash me… cleanse me” (Psalm 51:1-2) all appear to be in the imperative: but they are in fact plaintive pleas based in the fact ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Oratorio Of Steadfast Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 11, 2013

A lone singer stirs up his soul to praise, and ends by summoning the whole of Creation to join his joyful song.

AN ORATORIO OF STEADFAST LOVE. Psalm 103:1-13; Psalm 103:22. The book of Psalms begins with the consideration of the truly blessed man (Psalm 1:1), and ends with a crescendo of praise in which all that breathes is exhorted to praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6). En route there are highs and lows, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-13, Psalm 103:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hiding Place For The Repentant

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 8, 2016

Before we can enter into the blessings which follow forgiveness, we must first admit our sin, and acknowledge our responsibility before God.

A HIDING PLACE FOR THE REPENTANT. Psalm 32:1-11. The beatitudes of Psalm 32:1-2 remind us of Psalm 1:1-2, which describes the righteous man and proclaims him blessed. Yet, since the fall of Adam, no mere man has been born with original righteousness. The second Psalm leads us to the place where ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Hush Child, God Ain't Dead!"

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jun 26, 2006

A sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 8 Jesus healing 2 people

4th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 8 Mark 5: 21-43 "Hush child, God ain’t dead!" 21 ¶ And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

Denomination: Lutheran

The Lord Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 30, 2013

We at times seem like a boat tossing about on the waves of uncertainty and doubt...

THE LORD WALKING ON WATER. John 6:16-21. The sea can be such a frightening, unpredictable element that even hardened sailors find themselves overwhelmed at times. If we enter the darkness without our Lord Jesus, this magnifies our terror. Yet when He draws near this also, inexplicably, gives ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Universal Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 29, 2013

We are called to universal prayer because God desires that "all men" be saved. This is the purpose behind the doctrine of election. There is only one God, one Mediator, one sacrifice. The church's mission is to make a universal declaration of this truth.

UNIVERSAL PRAYER. 1 Timothy 2:1-7. CONTEXT. The faithful saying that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners is worthy of all acceptation - or ‘worthy to be accepted by ALL’ - (1 Timothy 1:15). “Therefore” - as a priority - Paul exhorts Timothy that “supplications, prayers, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Crumb From The Table.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 3, 2023

Faith demonstrated in the margins of life.

A CRUMB FROM THE TABLE. Matthew 15:21-28. In the earlier part of the chapter, Jesus had disputed with some Scribes and Pharisees about ritual and tradition; and had taught those who would hear that defilement does not come from without, but from within. It is also true to say that FAITH flows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Taste And See That The Lord Is Good (Complete)

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 11, 2017

A call to worship; living the life; deliverance.

1. O MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME. Psalm 34:1-8. David was ‘on the run’ from king Saul. Mistakenly thinking that he might find refuge with the Philistines, he only escaped from their clutches by feigning madness (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Then he hid in a cave. Knowing that David was in this place, his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Relationship Of The Lord To The Righteous

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 26, 2013

The outworking of the good life.

THE LORD’S RELATIONSHIP TO THE RIGHTEOUS. Psalm 34:15-22. Jesus adopts the general principle, “the measure you give will be the measure you get” (Mark 4:24). This is because, despite all appearances to the contrary, we are still living in a moral universe. Yet God does allow bad things to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:15-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unleash The Freedom Series

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Nov 13, 2017

Experiencing freedom in Jesus by gaining a proper perspective, Acquiring a surrendered attitude and taking a step of faith.

October 29 Unleash the Freedom (Acts 10) You probably already know how they train elephants, right? Any professional elephant trainers amongst us? Well, let me tell you then. When the elephant is a baby, they let it out of the cage and tie a rope around its neck. And of course the elephant ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Faith And Works

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 31, 2013

The practical faith of Rahab stands in contrast to the platitudes of the person who sent the hungry empty away, and failed to clothe the naked.

FAITH AND WORKS. James 2:14-26. A person is making what seems to be a credible claim to “faith” - but (as yet) there is no evidence in their lives of their allegiance to Jesus Christ. They seem to have all the right words, but (so far) “works” are lacking. James 2:14. What is the profit in the ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Appearing Of Our Saviour

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 5, 2013

The incarnation was not an afterthought, but part of the purpose of God for mankind from all eternity.

THE “APPEARING” OF OUR SAVIOUR. 2 Timothy 1:8-11. The incarnation was not an afterthought, but part of God’s purpose for mankind from all eternity. It is the manifestation of the salvation determined from, literally, “before the ages of time” (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; cf. Romans 16:25). No ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following The Master Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 27, 2010

Following the Master can be best seen by 1) Loving Christ more than everything else (John 21:15–17), by 2) Being willing to sacrifice everything for Christ (John 21:18–19a), and by 3) Following Christ (John 21:19b–25).

In R.B. Fleming’s book, Peter Gzowski: A Biography (Dundurn Press), Fleming carefully read Gzowski’s writings, studied his tapes and interviewed his friends. Running down Gzowski’s stories, he found again and again that they were exaggerated or even imaginary. Yet, Gzowski was a first-class ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-25

Denomination: Other

How To Receive God's Comfort

Contributed by Martin Wiles on Sep 27, 2010

A proper mourning over sin will drive us to repentance and confession and will ultimately bring God's comfort.

How To Receive God’s Comfort Matthew 5:4 INTRODUCTION In Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, the story is told of Pip, an orphan who lives with his sister and her husband. One day while in the marshes, he meets a convict who forces him to steal food and a file from some people. The ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Knowing The Unknowable.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 28, 2013

The Cross-shaped love of Christ.

KNOWING THE UNKNOWABLE. Ephesians 3:14-21. The “For this reason” of Ephesians 3:14 echoes Ephesians 3:1, and picks up the thread of thought that was left there. This follows Paul’s contemplation of the reconciliation accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). Jesus, by His own ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational