Sermons on Proper Dress:

The Trust Of A Little Child

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 18, 2018

Of such is the kingdom of God.

THE TRUST OF A LITTLE CHILD. Mark 10:13-16. In one of our previous readings, Jesus set a little child in the midst of His disciples (Mark 9:36). Now such children, in the ancient world, had no rights: yet Jesus was happy to scoop such a one up into His holy arms and teach. We noticed then ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Feeding Five Thousand And Walking On Water

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 22, 2018

Hunger in the wilderness and wind at sea BOTH can kill: but the Rescuer comes.

A. THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000. John 6:1-15. It was now nearly a year since Jesus had cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, and Passover was fast approaching (John 6:4). Jesus and His disciples had tried to withdraw from the throng in Galilee, and sought some rest and relaxation in the Golan Heights: ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-21

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

Moses Drawn Out

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 24, 2018

Drawn by the cords of everlasting love!

MOSES DRAWN OUT. Exodus 2:1-10. We all know, used to know, or should have known, the story of baby Moses drifting in an ark of bulrushes, placed by his mother in amongst the reeds by the banks of the River Nile (Exodus 2:3). In ancient maps, uncharted waters used to be indicated with an ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When Faith Comes From Within

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 15, 2018

The obverse side of the previous conversation: what comes out of the mouth when the heart is full of faith.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FAITH COMES FROM WITHIN. Mark 7:24-37. In the earlier part of this 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 (Mark 7:1-23). It is ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:24-37

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

A Basket Of Ripe Summer Fruit

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 7, 2019

Seek God, do justice - before it is too late.

A BASKET OF RIPE SUMMER FRUIT. Amos 8:1-12. This vision and its interpretation is based in a pun: the Hebrew word for “Summer fruit” sounds almost identical with the word translated “the end” (Amos 8:1-2). Read Amos 4:6-11 for a litany of the temporal judgments which the LORD laid upon ...read more

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Things Planned Long Ago

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 31, 2020

The ultimate triumph of the gospel.

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO. Isaiah 25:1-9. This passage begins in song (Isaiah 25:1), and ends in song (Isaiah 25:9), with a feast in between (Isaiah 25:6-8). The first song is a solo, “You are my God” (Isaiah 25:1) and begins with praise to the LORD for “the wonderful things” that He has ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Pastoral Heart

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 10, 2020

The gentleness, love and self-sacrifice of a mother.

A PASTORAL HEART. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8. Having favourably described the Thessalonians’ reception of the gospel message (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7), Paul now speaks of that first encounter from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:1. “For you yourselves know, brethren, that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gospel Of God

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 12, 2020

The word of God is effectually working in you who believe.

THE GOSPEL OF GOD. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13. Paul is continuing to speak about the Thessalonian reception of the gospel message from the point of view of the messengers. 1 Thessalonians 2:9. Now, still addressing them as “brethren” (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:1), he reminds them of what they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wakeful Watching

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 20, 2020

The day of the Lord and the children of Light.

WAKEFUL WATCHING. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11. The Apostle has already spoken concerning the status of the Christian dead at the return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Now he turns his attention to the question of preparedness for the day of the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. It would be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Against Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 12, 2019

A court case - with the people of God in the dock.

AGAINST HYPOCRISY. Psalm 50:1-8; Psalm 50:16-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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