Sermons on Proper 23 Year B:

The True Vine

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 17, 2021

We draw our spiritual life from the Lord Jesus Christ just as surely as the branch draws the sap from the root.

THE TRUE VINE. John 15:1-8. In Psalm 80:8-16 Israel is poignantly portrayed as a vine which has spread throughout the whole land, only to be torn down, devoured, and burnt at the time of the Exile. The vineyard motif is again taken up in Isaiah 5:1-7, where a moral reason is given for this ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Problems Keep Piling Up

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 13, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 22: 1 – 23

1 Samuel 22: 1 – 23 The problems keep piling up 22 David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

As For Me And My House, We Will Srve The Lord

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Sep 5, 2003

A sermon for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 16 Serving the Lord

11th Sunday after Pentecost Proper 16 Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 John 6:56-69 "but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." "Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;" 24:1 ¶ Then Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-18, John 6:56-69

Denomination: Lutheran

Role And Responsibility Of The Wife Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 22, 2018

Message 23 in our study of Colossians exploring the role and responsibility of wives.

Chico Alliance Church “The Role & Responsibility of the Wife” Introduction The condition of our relationships with others reveals a great deal concerning the level of spiritual maturity and relationship with God. Scripture invites us to check the people gage quite often. All sin has its roots ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

A Shortened Time, A Passing World

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 8, 2017

The reordering of our priorities in the face of an impending crisis.

A SHORTENED TIME, A PASSING WORLD. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31. This is one of Paul’s ‘I say, not the Lord’ passages (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:25), meaning that he is not here directly quoting a word from Jesus. Not that his comments are uninspired, as some contend. The Apostle goes on to qualify ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mission To Galilee.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 15, 2013

Jesus goes walkabout into Galilee, seeking and saving that which was lost.

MISSION TO GALILEE. John 1:43-51. 1. PHILIP The first chapter of John’s Gospel, having opened with a declaration of Jesus as God (John 1:1), closes with Jesus seeming to make an ordinary human decision: to go ‘walkabout’ into Galilee (John 1:43) - perhaps to visit the home of His new disciples ...read more

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Call Of The First Disciples

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Every Christian has a part to play.

THE CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES. Mark 1:14-20. 1. The call of the Gospel (Mark 1:14-15) After Jesus’ baptism by John, and His successful wilderness encounter against Satan - this short passage introduces a seemingly ominous note to Mark’s gospel narrative: John was put in prison (Mark 1:14). ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abiding In His Love.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 18, 2021

When we abide in Jesus the true vine, not only do we dwell in His love, but we also partake of His joy.

ABIDING IN HIS LOVE. John 15:9-17. When a Christian is going through trials it may not be some temporal judgment for some particular sin, but rather that the Lord is testing them for their own improvement (Romans 5:3-5). Will we keep His commandments in the face of trials, and go on abiding in ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

An Appeal For Deliverance.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 3, 2025

The prayer of a soul in distress.

AN APPEAL FOR DELIVERANCE. Psalm 143:1-12. Who are we going to turn to in a time of distress? For the believer, it can only be the LORD. We know that the LORD has helped us hitherto (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12), and that He is ‘a very present help in time of trouble’ (cf. Psalm 46:1). PSALM 143:1. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 143:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trust In The Midst Of Trial.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 2, 2025

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

TRUST IN THE MIDST OF TRIAL. Psalm 141:1-8. This is a confident cry for help in the midst of tribulations. It is addressed initially to “YHWH,” our covenant Lord (PSALM 141:1). Then later the Psalmist addresses “YHWH Adonai” - emphasising both our personal relationship with Him, and His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 141:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Powers That Be.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 30, 2025

Subjection to rulers.

THE POWERS THAT BE. Romans 13:1-7. “The powers that be” to whom “every soul” is to be “subject” (ROMANS 13:1) are called “rulers” in ROMANS 13:3 (translated as ‘magistrates’ in Luke 12:11), “who do not bear the sword in vain” (ROMANS 13:4). We are to “be subject unto” them because “the powers ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living Before God In The World.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 25, 2025

Honour and the Fear of God.

LIVING BEFORE GOD IN THE WORLD. 1 Peter 2:11-17. Peter addresses his readers as “Beloved,” and encourages us “as strangers and pilgrims” to “abstain from fleshly lusts (or desires) which war against the soul” (1 PETER 2:11). The Apostle implores us to keep our conduct “honest” amongst the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Secret Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2025

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; that they may know His covenant (Psalm 25:14).

THE SECRET OF THE LORD. Psalm 25:14-22. “The secret of the LORD” (PSALM 25:14a). This speaks of the friendship, the intimate fellowship that the believer has with the LORD. It is as if we were seated upon our couch ‘in heavenly places in Christ Jesus’ (cf. Ephesians 2:6), listening to Him tell ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:14-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Take It To The Lord In Prayer.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 3, 2025

Even our friends might let us down, but God never will.

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. Psalm 55:16-22. PSALM 55:16. King David was no stranger to ‘friends’ letting him down, but his bold assertion in the face of betrayal was: “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.” The God upon whom he calls is the true and living God, the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 55:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Captivity And Restoration Of Manasseh.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 4, 2025

This is an example of the amazing grace of God towards one who was a very ‘chief’ of sinners (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15).

THE CAPTIVITY AND RESTORATION OF MANASSEH. 2 Chronicles 33:9-13. Bad king Manasseh was a son of good king Hezekiah, but his own style of leadership is here described as “leading Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do evil more than the heathen” (2 CHRONICLES 33:9). ‘Moreover,’ ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational