Sermons on Proper 27:

The All-Encompassing Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 18, 2020

I the LORD do all these things

THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD. Isaiah 45:1-7. This chapter opens with the astonishing reference to Cyrus, King of Persia, as the LORD’s “anointed” - literally, “messiah” (Isaiah 45:1). It is designed to shock us with the fact that the LORD not only uses Gentiles to fulfil His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Call To Silence

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 22, 2020

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

A CALL TO SILENCE. Zephaniah 1:7; Zephaniah 1:12-18. Speaking during the reign of king Josiah of Judah, Zephaniah spends a lot of energy outlining a universal judgment against the whole earth (Zephaniah 1:1-3), INCLUDING Judah and Jerusalem (Zephaniah 1:4-6). “Hold thy peace,” he cries, “for ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:7, Zephaniah 1:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Strange Land.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2022

Strangers and pilgrims in this world.

A STRANGE LAND. Psalm 137. The exile is over (at least for those who chose to return), and Babylon as a world power has fizzled out: her nobles sailed downstream to safety, and the Persian conqueror Cyrus allowed the many misplaced peoples dwelling in Babylon to return to their own lands. ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Journey Back To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2022

The futility of contemplating a life without God.

A JOURNEY BACK TO FAITH. Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. The harder we try to understand the book of Ecclesiastes, the greater the temptation to chime in with the author’s refrain: “all is vanity!” Yet, somewhere along the way, we might realise that it is going ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Managing Money Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Sep 27, 2025

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matthew 6:19-21).

WHAT IS STEWARDSHIP? MATTHEW 6:19-33 1. “The proper management of our time, talents and treasures for the glory of God. 2. What are other names for a steward? a. Baseball player: agent. b. Your money: financial planner. c. Buying a house: realtor. d. Corporation: CEO or COO. Today’s lesson asks ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Righteous And The Wicked. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 6, 2024

Two lifestyles, two destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous And The Wicked

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2013

Two distinct lifestyles. Two eternal destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Has Money Become An Idol In Your Life? - Proper 23 - Year B

Contributed by Ian Bullock on Sep 22, 2021

As we think about the young man who couldn't give up his wealth, we consider Jesus teaching on the subject and how money affects our relationship with God

In the name of the living God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. I doubt that there is anyone listening to this sermon that hasn’t seen the film Titanic. If you haven’t seen it then I’m sorry if I spoil the end of the film for you because it sinks! But wind back about 30 minutes before that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:17-31

Denomination: Anglican

An Open-Ended Prayer

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 19, 2018

Waiting faith and expectant trust.

AN OPEN-ENDED PRAYER. Psalm 123:1-4. This is a short, impassioned prayer: a plea for help in the face of adversaries. It begins with adoration, with an abrupt “Unto You…” (PSALM 123:1). This is a song of Ascents and its opening may be paralleled to another: ‘I to the hills will lift ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 123:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Waiting In Hope

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 16, 2017

An ascent out of the depths.

WAITING IN HOPE. Psalm 130. This Psalm is a song of ascent: “Out of the depths” (Psalm 130:1). The Latin language captures the intensity of the situation: “De profundis” (from which we have the English word ‘profundity’, meaning ‘a great depth or intensity of state, quality or emotion’). We’ve ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 130:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Vision Of Salvation

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 7, 2013

Mercy and truth meet together, & righteousness and peace embrace - in the Cross of Jesus Christ.

A VISION OF SALVATION. Psalm 85. First, the Psalmist remembers the favour and forgiveness of the LORD (Psalm 85:1-3). This is a good place to begin in our petitions to God, rather than diving into our shopping list of requests. We base our belief that God will give us a favourable answer in His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord Will Perfect Me

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jan 12, 2019

This is a Psalm of thanksgiving, and of hope.

THE LORD WILL PERFECT ME. Psalm138:1-8. In Psalm 138:1, David praises the LORD. 1st, his praise is wholehearted (cf. Psalm 9:1; Psalm 86:12-13; Psalm 103:1-2; Psalm 111:1). 2nd, it is ‘in the face of’ (to use a contemporary term) all other would-be or otherwise imaginary ‘gods’ (cf. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Springtime Of My Love

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 13, 2018

'This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church' (Ephesians 5:32).

THE SPRINGTIME OF MY LOVE. Song of Songs 2:8-13. The date and time of your next meeting is set: outside the Department store on such a street at such a time on Friday, or whenever. There you are, waiting, perhaps forgetting that these buildings often have more than one door. You wonder if ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

This Pilgrim Way.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 17, 2021

The LORD's leading in the pilgrimage of this life.

THIS PILGRIM WAY. Psalm 84:1-12. At the end of the celebration of Passover, in Jewish homes scattered throughout the world, the parting toast is, ‘Next year in Jerusalem!’ The sentiment echoes a common consciousness, a restlessness if you will, which is forever drawing God’s people back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Unleash God's Power In Your Life (Acts - Part 27) Series

Contributed by Jeff Christopherson on Jan 15, 2005

6 Ways to Tap into God’s Power

How to unleash god¡¦s power in your life Acts Series: ¡§Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian¡¨ Part 27 Pastor Jeff Christopherson July 20, 2003 Acts 16:9-40 6 WAYS TO TAP INTO GOD¡¦S POWER: 1. Follow God¡¦s Vision: (Do the Last Thing that God said to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:11-40

Denomination: Baptist