Sermons on Proper 8:

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 Ark Brought Up To Jerusalem.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 13, 2024

All our actions should be regulated by the word of God.

THE ARK BROUGHT UP TO JERUSALEM. 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19. No sooner had David been anointed king over all Israel, than the Philistines came up against him. David’s instinct back then was to ‘enquire of the LORD’ as to what he should do (cf. 2 Samuel 5:17-19). And David ‘did as the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 2 Samuel 6:12-19

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

A Model Of Spiritual Warfare.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 23, 2023

Speaking as a prophetess, Deborah gave Barak a directive from the LORD.

A MODEL OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE. Judges 4:1-7. JUDGES 4:1-2. At the very outset of this short passage we discover that war MIGHT come against the LORD’s people as a direct result of their sin. This simple fact is echoed throughout the book of Judges: “And the children of Israel again did evil in ...read more

Scripture: Judges 4:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The All-Seeing Eye.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 19, 2022

Blessed to be chosen by the LORD.

THE ALL-SEEING EYE. Psalm 33:12-22. This passage begins with a beatitude: PSALM 33:12. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” In ancient times, it was only Israel who had such a relationship with the LORD. Not that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 33:12-22

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 Presence And Glory Of The Lord.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 6, 2023

Having asked the LORD to “show me now thy way,” Moses next waxed bold to ask, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory.”

THE PRESENCE AND GLORY OF THE LORD. Exodus 33:12-23. 1. Show Me Thy Way (Exodus 33:12-17). EXODUS 33:12. Earlier in the chapter the LORD had said: ‘Go up hence, thou and the people… unto the land which I sware unto Abraham… I will send an angel before thee (cf. Exodus 33:1-2). Yet Moses now ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

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

Humility And The Wedding Banquet.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Sep 1, 2013

Humility is not what you think, humility is power, strength, energy and life; but to receive it, you must submit yourself to God; you must acknowledge that he is king, and you are subjected to him.

Prayer: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord. Amen. Introduction: There is a country and western song which I love called “Lord, it is hard to be humble, when you are perfect in ever way”. I think the words are so funny because for me, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal

How To Overcome Discouragement

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Apr 6, 2014

A sermon examining the proper way to deal with discouragement.

HOW TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT Psalm 61:1-8 Discouragement is defined as "a loss of confidence or enthusiasm; dispiritedness”. A man by the name of William Ward goes a little further in his definition of discouragement. He says: Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 61:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

From Egypt To Canaan.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 28, 2023

The holy God remembered His covenant with Abraham, and kept His holy promise.

FROM EGYPT TO CANAAN. Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45. PSALM 105:1. There is a call to “give thanks to the LORD.” It is always appropriate to remember and acknowledge the LORD’s gracious dealings with us. Then there is an exhortation to “call upon His name.” We offer our praise and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:1-6, Psalm 105:37-45

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Flourishing Of Righteousness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 12, 2022

The LORD promises peace, providing we do not return to folly.

THE FLOURISHING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Psalm 85:8-13. The Psalmist - the believer, standing for the church - stops in his tracks and listens to what God has to say (Psalm 85:8-9). It is as we systematically and habitually study the Bible that we will be in a position to hear the still small voice ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:8-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Your View Of God

Contributed by Thomas Showalter on Jul 7, 2001

Do you have a proper view of God?

Your View of God 4-30-00 A.W. Tozer in his book The Knowledge of the Holy states: “What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us.” “Left to ourselves we tend immediately to reduce God to manageable terms. We want to get Him where we can use Him, or at least know ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-31, Isaiah 6:1-5

Denomination: Friends