Sermons on Proper 27:

That All People May Know Thy Name.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 12, 2021

The transcendence and immanence of God.

THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY KNOW THY NAME. 1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6; 1 Kings 8:10-11; 1 Kings 8:22-30; 1 Kings 8:41-43. The bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple in Jerusalem was a monumental moment in the history of God’s people (1 Kings 8:1; 1 Kings 8:6). Yet all the skill and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 8:1, 1 Kings 8:6, 1 Kings 8:10-11, 1 Kings 8:22-30, 1 Kings 8:41-43  (view more)  (view less)

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

An Everlasting Throne

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 14, 2020

Nevertheless: The faithfulness of God.

AN EVERLASTING THRONE Psalm 89:27-37. There is a tension in this Psalm, between the LORD’s promise of an everlasting dynasty for the line of David (Psalm 89:3-4; Psalm 89:28), and the complaint of the Psalmist (Psalm 89:38). However, the LORD’s “Nevertheless” (Psalm 89:33) trumps the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 89:27-37

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

A Mind For Service

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 19, 2020

Gifts given for the benefit of the Church.

A MIND FOR SERVICE. Romans 12:3-8. Romans 12:3. “For” connects with the immediately preceding two verses, in which it has been made clear that, as an act of gratitude for God's mercy (outlined in the whole of the preceding 11 chapters), we should submit our bodies to Him as a ‘living ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Storm A Calm.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2020

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. Psalm 107 verse 28.

THE STORM A CALM. Psalm 107:1-3. Psalm 107:1. This Psalm, from the outset, is a summons to thanksgiving. The LORD is good, and His mercy everlasting. We are perhaps quick enough to pray, to 'make our requests known unto God' (Philippians 4:6) when we are in trouble: but do we remember ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-3, Psalm 107:23-32, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Alas For The City.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 7, 2022

Is it nothing to you?

ALAS FOR THE CITY. Lamentations 1:1-6. LAMENTATIONS 1:1. The opening word could be rendered, “Alas!” The translation “How” introduces an exclamation, but also has an element of questioning in it. We might say, “How come?” The verb “she sits” introduces “the city” as feminine, so perhaps we ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Inclusiveness Of The Church Age

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 20, 2020

ALL who are in Christ Jesus are accepted by God. We have no right to refuse any whom God has received.

THE INCLUSIVENESS OF THE CHURCH AGE. Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 56:6-8. The idea here seems to be that the community of God’s people should “preserve justice and do righteousness” (Isaiah 56:1). The reason is not far to seek: “for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness to be revealed”. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 56:1, Isaiah 56:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Food For A Spiritually Fit Life Series

Contributed by Rick Duncan on Sep 7, 2005

To be physically fit requires proper nutrition. The same is true spiritually. The proper nutrition for us as believers is the Word of God.

“Get fit.” That’s the lead story in this month’s Cleveland magazine. Are you in shape spiritually? “If God had intended for us to touch our toes, He’d have put them on our knees.” “I’m in shape – “Round” is a shape, isn’t it?” But getting fit is really not a joking matter. I like the idea in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Anger And Controversy: "What’s It Good For?”

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019

Those who are maturing will see controversy in the proper light, they will respond in a proper manner, and they will use it to God’s glory.

I. We must be servants of the church and of the gospel first. A. We must be servants of God’s people. B. We must be servants to the lost. II. It is inevitable that controversy will come. A. Pride says we deserve to be without controversy. B. Pride will cause us to respond with anger and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Holy Boldness And Gracious Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Shaping our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God.

HOLY BOLDNESS AND GRACIOUS SUBMISSION. Genesis 18:20-32. This is the earliest prayer to be written down in the Bible. The prayer conversation was not initiated by Abraham, but by the LORD, who allowed Abraham to overhear His musings about the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Bread From Heaven.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 24, 2022

It is all very well seeking Jesus. But WHY?

THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN. John 6:22-35. JOHN 6:22-24. The details of these verses set the scene for the conversation which immediately follows. The people saw the disciples getting into the boat, but had lost sight of Jesus (John 6:22). Meantime other boats had come over from Tiberias to a place ...read more

Scripture: John 6:22-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational