Sermons on Abstain:

You Are Not Your Own

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 20, 2017

Sexual sin is ubiquitous in contemporary society; it is often excused among the faithful. We need to live with a focus on the Cross if we will honour God with our bodies in the midst of a world that has surrendered to the appetites of the flesh.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” [1] Accepting Christ as Saviour transforms life—attitudes and actions take on new significance. The adage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Practising Serving Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 25, 2017

The model that is frequently brought into the church is provided by this world. That model drives the disciple to step on others in order to advance himself. The model Jesus provides, though often neglected, is quite different; it teaches us to serve.

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

How Is Your Conscience? Series

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Sep 5, 2016

Who would have blamed David if he had taken his sword and plunged it in the back of Saul for all that Saul had done to him? David drew his sword, but sliced off a portion of Saul’s robe. He felt guilty. His conscience pricked him. How is your conscience?

SERIES: DAVID - A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART: Part 8: How Is Your Conscience? 1. 1 Samuel 24:1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:1-7

Denomination: Charismatic

The Forgotten Element In Modern Marriage

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 11, 2017

A call for purity in marriage for Christians.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” [1] Marriage is under assault in this day. I sincerely doubt that the assault is as successful as some might imagine; nevertheless, marriage is under a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Baptist

My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2016

Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to deliver a people for His Name into His eternal Kingdom.

In the midst of darkness, God’s glory blazes. When evil appears to triumph, grace prevails. When dark denizens of this fallen world convince themselves they have defeated grace, righteousness conquers. These themes are written large in accounts provided of the brief hours leading to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Privileges Of Election (1 Peter 1:1-2) Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 2, 2014

Exposition of 1 Peter 1:1-2

The Privileges of Election Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Motivations For Holiness (1 Peter 1:17-21) Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 2, 2014

Exposition of 1 Peter 1:17-21

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

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hostile Desires - James 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

If you struggle with anger or are having conflicts with people, this is an important message for you. It shows how good desires become hostile desires and how to fix the problem.

James 4:1 What causes wars and battles among you? Don’t they come from your desires that wage war within you? 2 You covet something but don’t get it – you murder. And you envy, but you cannot have [what you want] - you battle and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 When you ask, you do ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-3

Will You Let Just Anyone Eat At Your Table? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2021

A discussion of the oversight of the Lord's Supper, focusing on the participants at the Meal and the attitude with which we are to partake of the Meal.

“When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Of A Culture

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 30, 2022

How should the saints of the Risen Saviour Live when the society in which they are found is decaying and disintegrating into a putrid mess? They must be vigilant to be holy and righteous, glorifying their God in all things.

“I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. “The look on their faces bears witness against them; they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 3:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer & The Will Of God - Matthew 6:10b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2024

What would you think if a tragedy came into your life, and someone said, “Must have been God’s will.” Is that true? Is everything that happens God’s will? If so, why pray for God’s will to be done? But if His will is not always done, how do we know which things are His will and which are not?

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10

Exodus 19:1-15 The Holy Presence Of God

Contributed by Carl Willis on Apr 18, 2024

God is in the midst of His people. His holy presence comes with requirements of honor and reverence.

We are continuing through Exodus, our journey through Exodus. As you'll recall, this is the account of the Israelites being delivered from captivity in Egypt, but it's not really a story about the Egyptians, the Israelites, or Moses; it is a story about God. Today, we're going to be in ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Is That All You've Got?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2024

We who follow Christ are responsible to present the message of grace at every opportunity. Many will dismiss our message as foolish talk. We must honestly present the truth to such people, refusing to give up our stand for the truth.

“As [Paul] was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Picky Picky - Mark 2:23-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 29, 2023

The Pharisees accuse the disciples of Sabbath breaking when they pick grain while traveling. Jesus responds by pointing to David eating the bread of the presence.

Mark 2:23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. 24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” 25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:23-28

When You Lose Your Shepherd - Mark 14:25-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 4, 2024

What would you have done if you were following Jesus and one night a lynch mob shows up, arrests him, beats him to a pulp, and crucifies him? We know what the disciples did—what should they have done?

Mark 14:25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God." 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:29-32, Mark 14:25-28