Sermons on Affirmation:

The Pattern Of Sound Words Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2015

Paul provides instructions to ensure continuation of the Faith from generation to generation.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” [1] Seminarians are required to study systematic theology. The required courses consist of in-depth studies of the several doctrines that define the Faith of Christ the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:13

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Of Godliness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2013

The message of Christ and His work on our behalf is a mystery of God. In fact, Paul speaks of this as "the mystery of godliness."

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” [1] Mysteries are a favourite genre in books, movies and television ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Jeremiah's Performance Review Series

Contributed by Jim Martin on Nov 20, 2012

In Jeremiah 19 there is the climactic scene where Jeremiah is instructed to smash at the gate of the city in front of the leaders of Jerusalem. The clash of worldviews and the significant emotional cargo of this passage seemed difficult to render to a mod

Jeremiah’s Performance Review by Jim Martin The River Church Community Sunday, November 18th, 2007 The River Church Community ACT I Scene 1 The intro has to set up that the book of Jeremiah and this story arc in the OT are all about God trying to warn his people that if they ...read more

Denomination: *other

Neither Male Nor Female

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 28, 2012

A study of gender and the role of pastor of the congregation.

“In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

1 Accord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 30, 2012

In Acts 1:12-26 we see 1) The Submission of the Disciples (Acts 1:12–15), 2) The Suicide of a Disciple (Acts 1:15–20), and 3) The Selection of a Disciple (Acts 1:21-26).

Omar Khadr is a convicted terrorist. He was born in Toronto, has been detained in Guantanamo Bay for nearly a decade. In October 2010, he pleaded guilty to war crimes committed when he was 15 years old in Afghanistan — namely, throwing a grenade that killed a U.S. soldier in 2002. He was sentenced ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-26

Denomination: Other

Their Rock Is Not As Our Rock

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 30, 2018

What has God done for me lately? We need to remember the distinction of God as contrasted to the varied "gods" of this dying world.

“Their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.” [1] Our world adulates success; however, the world defines success by a standard of its own making. To a far greater degree than we might ever admit, we Christians have been infected with the attitudes of this fallen world. We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating Our Beliefs Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jul 11, 2023

Navigating Our Beliefs Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey - June 25, 2023

Navigating Our Beliefs Series: The Deconstruction Zone: Navigating Doubts and Difficulties Brad Bailey - June 25, 2023 Intro In the late ’90s, Joshua Harris burst on to the Christian scene with a book titled I Kissed Dating Goodbye, a treatise on dating and courtship. The book sold millions and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:52, Matthew 28:16-17, Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Die The Death Of The Upright!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 17, 2023

Surprised by the intervention of God, Balaam pronounces one of the great aspirations of all who know and worship the Lord God.

“Who can count the dust of Jacob. or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” [1] King Frederick the Great of Prussia is reported to have once asked his physician to provide proof for the existence of God. The physician is said to have ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 23:10

Denomination: Baptist

Sarah Laughed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 7, 2022

Sarah Laughed in unbelief, but God transformed her unbelief, changing her laughter to the expression of joy. God longs to transform the one who is honest before Him.

“[The angels charged with the destruction of Sodom] said to [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

You Are What You Think

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 18, 2022

The Master calls us to ensure that our heart is pure rather than focusing exclusively on our external practises.

“[Jesus] called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.’ Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

"god Told Me!" Really?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 24, 2022

God's Word, the Bible, is a perfect revelation of the mind and the will of God. We sin against Him when we attempt to usurp His place by trying to put words in His mouth.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” If you have been a follower of Christ for more than a few months, you have almost assuredly heard some dear soul assert, “God told me…” This assertion was possibly ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7

Denomination: Baptist

Loving God With Our Whole Heart Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 2, 2023

Loving God with Our Whole Heart Series: First Love: Forming Our Love for God Brad Bailey – April 2, 2023

Loving God with Our Whole Heart Series: First Love: Forming Our Love for God Brad Bailey – April 2, 2023 [The following was not all stated when shared publicly due to the limits of both time and general nature of only developing notes as a form of preparation which I neither memorize nor read… but ...read more

Scripture: John 21:16, Matthew 7:29, John 8:2, John 14:10, John 16:3, John 6:68, John 1:41-42, Matthew 26:33, Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34, John 13:38, Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-60, John 18:16-27, John 21:15-22, Mark 12:30, Matthew 6:24, Matthew 16:22, Matthew 16:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2023

God made atonement as Jesus hung on the cross. All who receive Him as Master over life are brought into the family of God, forgiven all sin, and saved forever.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 22, 2022

We must realise that we are susceptible to transforming the Faith through the introduction of our best efforts to make the Faith more meaningful.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” [1] Traditions are essential to civilisation. Societies are built around traditions which most of those living ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist