Sermons on 13th Sunday Of The Year:

The Terrible Power Of A Traducing Tongue

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2023

It is not merely unbecoming for a Christian to slander or to malign a person, it is ungodly.

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” “A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” [1] Life in this modern age has trained us to accommodate the transformation of language. Modern society ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:4, Proverbs 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

Who Can Stand On The Great Day Of Wrath? The Church! (Revelation 7:1-8) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on May 12, 2023

A no-rapture, academically rigorous study of Revelation. We, the church, are the 144,000.

Last week, we saw the beginnings of God's plan for the world starting to unfold. In the first four seals of Revelation 6, we saw pictures of the wrath of God, and the wrath of the Lamb, being poured out on the world through the four horsemen of the apocalypse. They brought with them conquest, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-8

The Other Side Of The Storm

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2023

As Christians, we will pass through storms. Sometimes these storms will be violent. Yet, we are assured that when we pass through the storm, Christ will be with us. We shall not be overwhelmed. And on the other side of the storm, all will be at peace.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Servant Of Isaiah 49 In Luke-Acts Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 19, 2024

Part 2 of a rabbit trail exploring how the servant's calling is picked up not just by Jesus, but also by Ananias, Paul and Barnabas, in Acts. We are all to be lights, and "salvation," up to the ends of the earth.

Two weeks ago, we worked our way through Isaiah 49:1-6. When I taught on it, I said that these are the words of God's exilic prophet. The prophet feels like his ministry has been a waste of his time and energy. It's accomplished nothing. And God responds to him, not by arguing with him, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-6, Luke 2:25-34, Luke 9:28-36, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 13:44-50  (view more)  (view less)

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Logectomy - Matthew 7:3-5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 9, 2024

We are not to point out sin in others while we have a log in our own eye. We are never perfect, so when are we without a log? What is the log, and how do you know for sure when you are rid of it?

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:3-5

Your Superpower - 2 Peter 1:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 10, 2024

It’s always a fun question to ask, “If you could have one superpower, what would you want it to be?” But the far more important question is this: “What would you do with it?” If God gave you unlimited access to divine power for the next 30 days, how would you use it?

Look at the first three words of 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power …." That’s an awesome set of words—His divine power. They’re awesome words and their intriguing words, because so much of the frustration of life comes from not having the power we need. Wherever there’s failure in your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Sinners Suffering For The Sins Of The Saints

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 22, 2024

The saints of God hold back the judgement of God by their righteous presence in the land. But if the righteous cease to be godly, what can delay God's righteous judgement?

“Behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place. All this is for the transgression of Jacob ...read more

Scripture: Micah 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Fear A Redeemer? - 1 Peter 1:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 1, 2024

We will face judgment for our deeds, good and bad, on Judgment Day, and we also face judgment in the form of chastisement in this life. Both should affect our behavior.

1 Peter 1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the worthless way of life handed down to you from your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-18

The Great Confusion - Mark 8:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 19, 2023

The question, “Who do you say I am” is important, but it’s not everything. Equally important is the question, “What does the way you listen to the hard words of Christ say about who you really believe he is?"

Mark 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:13-24, Luke 9:18-23

Knowing God - 2 Peter 1:3b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 15, 2024

We know knowledge of God is important, but what does it mean, exactly, to know an invisible being in a way that goes beyond knowing about him?

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those equal to us in the faith they have received in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3 his divine power has given us ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3

That’s Not Fair! - 1 Peter 2:18-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 22, 2024

Why doesn't the Bible condemn slavery?

1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-19

Spiritually Extravagant - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 30, 2024

Submission is not blind agreement or passive acceptance or subservience, nor is it demeaning. It is taking your God-ordained place in the home, which brings honor to both your husband and you.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

All Cultures Are Not Equivaent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 4, 2025

The rules for war that Moses gave to Israel revealed a vast cultural gap between Israel and the nations they were to dispossess. The nations of the west in this day are culturally superior to much of the remainder of the world because the foundations of the west are found in the Word of God.

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist