Sermons on Assailants:

Esau: Daddy's Fair-Haired Boy. Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2016

What can we learn of our own character and of God's grace when we study Esau selling his birthright?

“These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

One Holy Purpose Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2016

Examining the motivation for Paul's perseverance and service can encourage believers to persevere in the midst of a darkened world that increasingly opposes the Faith.

“I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” [1] The Apostle has emphasised a concept that is not often welcomed today—hardship. Directing student ministries at a major pastoral school some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

Complacency Kills Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 28, 2017

It was only a momentary slip of the beasts’ feet, but it was enough to rock the Ark which was on the cart they were pulling. The priest driving the cart reached back to steady the Ark so it wouldn’t fall; but the moment he touched the Ark, he fell dead.

“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Misusing The Law Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2013

The purpose of the Law and the danger of mishandling that same Law is discussed. The contrast of law and gospel is examined.

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Shipwrecked Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2013

When one runs aground on the Faith, injuring others within the flock, the appropriate response is to hand such individuals over to Satan.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes It's Like A Jungle [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2020

Studying the response of Jesus to the devil's temptation lays a foundation for the child of God to withstand temptation.

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2020

Knowing God means that we love the brothers and build them in the Faith.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” [1] “I’m as good a Christian as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

At The Intersection Of Expectation And Disappointment

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2019

John was disillusioned when he questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah. Studying this incident will assist us to avoid becoming disillusioned in Christ.

“When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Christ's Preaching: To Spirits In Prison

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Oct 9, 2018

To establish that Peter’s discussion of this great event occurred when Noah was building the Ark; during 120 years which culminated by the flood. It was Christ’s Spirit in Noah, that preached to the disobedient people refusing to obtain safety in the Ark; where Noah and his house was saved by God.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Christ Preached: Through Righteous Noah 2. Christ Preached: To the Disobedient 3. Christ Preached: To the Spirits in Prison Remarks. 1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme: “Christ's Preaching: to spirits in prison.” This theme has encouraged many ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22, 2 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 11:7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When A Church Makes God Sick Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2018

Tepid Faith is condemned by Holy God. The Risen Saviour calls us to hot faith that impels us to glorify His Name.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Worldly Wise Man And Wisdom Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 22, 2018

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. (1 Corinthians 3.18)

September 27, 2012 Commentary on First Corinthians By: Tom Lowe Lesson 2.7.A: The Worldly Wise Man and Wisdom Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3.18-23 1 Cor 3:18-23 (KJV) 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Dangerous Discipleship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2018

To be a follower of Christ is almost certain to be costly. Many turn from following Christ because they fear what it may cost. They are willing to be religious, but hesitate to embrace discipleship. We are called to embrace dangerous discipleship.

“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So, the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Psalm 46- An Anchor For Our Souls! Series

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Jan 19, 2021

It is apparent that we are living in troublesome, turbulent times! If we look “horizontally” for hope, we may not find it! If we look “vertically” specifically to Psalm 46, we can find a hope that only heaven can afford!

Topic: Sermon Series- Encouragement from the Psalms Text: Psalm 46:1-5 Title: Psalm 46 – An Anchor for the Soul Into: It is apparent that we are living in troublesome, turbulent times! Civil and political unrest, a global pandemic, economic woes, are the leading stories in our evening news ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-5

I've Had Enough

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2022

When we finally have had enough of brokenness, marginalization, or irrelevance, we will find that making our way through the crowds to reach Jesus can give us victory.

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Run Away! Run For Your Life! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2021

Attempting to stand against the pressure of the evil one is a recipe for defeat, unless and until we are strengthened by the Risen Saviour.

“[The soldiers] seized [Jesus] and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62

Denomination: Baptist