Sermons on Astonished:

What We Learn From Creation's Groanings Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 21, 2017

The sorrow we experience as we witness the devolution of culture creates a longing for Heaven and for Christ.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

It's Just A One-Night Stand! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 19, 2021

Though adultery is often justified in our world, there is no justification for this infidelity. God holds the adulterer to account, especially if that one bears the Name of Christ.

“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Class: Becoming Spirit Empowered Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 3, 2022

The Holy Spirit takes an active role in the life of the believer filling them and empowering them to do the work of the Kingdom of God.

Pursue Kingdom Teaching: Becoming Spirit filled and empowered by The Holy Spirit Thesis: The Holy Spirit takes an active role in the life of the believer filling them and empowering them to do the work of the Kingdom of God. Quote: Jim Cymbala from book “Spirit Rising-” “A church without the Holy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-8, John 14:15-18, Acts 1:4-5, John 14:26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Is It Enough?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2025

Jesus, the Son of God, has fulfilled the prophecy given through Isaiah promising God's redemption. The question many raise is, "Is It Enough?"

“It was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

When You Feel Worthless - Psalm 8:3-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 17, 2025

You are what God says you are, not what you feel like you are. And the solution to feeling worthless is not feeling important; it’s feeling loved.

Psalm 8: For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. 1 O Yahweh our Adonai, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 8:3-4

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself [2nd Copy]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2024

When this message was planned this past winter, services were cancelled due to a blizzard. This is a second effort that has been revised and brought up to date. How shall Christians respond as our contemporary culture self-destructs?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Take This Cup From Me - Mark 14:32-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

One preacher said, “Prayer is not about getting God to do what you want. It’s about getting you to do what God wants.” But if that’s the case, why make requests? What is the real purpose of prayer?

Introduction: Unanswered Prayer Does prayer work? We all know the right answer: “Yes, of course it works. Prayer changes things!” But what about when you pray and nothing happens? Let me ask you this: Did Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane work? To answer the question of whether prayer ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39

When Heaven Came Down

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2024

Pentecost was a once forever event presaging the work of the Spirit in God's people. The phenomena were displayed once, but the power of the Spirit continues to be revealed through the testimony of God's redeemed people who are empowered to do this holy work.

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-41

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Honored The King’s Son - Mark 15:40-47 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

Why do all four gospels make such a point about the details of Jesus burial? His death matters, his resurrection matters, but why is his burial so important? And what are the implications for us?

Mark 15:40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-47, Matthew 27:55-61, Luke 23:48

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When You Don't Know What To Ask Him To Do...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 22, 2023

If Jesus was to appear before you, asking you what you want Him to do for you, what would you say? The message is intended to be a challenge for us to boldly ask the Master for that one thing that weighs our hearts.

“As [Jesus and His disciples] went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Amazing Unremarkable Healing - Mark 1:28-34a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 3, 2023

The people were amazed at Jesus’ authority, but that response is inadequate. Only repentance and faith are sufficient.

Mark 1:28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:28-34

No Place Like It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2025

By focusing on the first congregation, we can discover how we can transform our own church into the powerful congregation God intends it to be.

“When [the disciples] had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:31-35

Denomination: Baptist

God Of Impossibilities - Luke 1:26-38 Series

Contributed by Maureen Hull on Nov 17, 2025

Title: God of Impossibilities - Luke 1:26-38 Speaker: Ralph Hull Series: Luke Date: November 16, 2025 Bible: Luke 1:26-38 An exposition of Luke 1:26-38

Luke is coming to his account number two, and we're so glad to have visitors today. We have been going through the gospel of Luke. The Lord is helping us as we traverse at a quite steady pace, taking large sections. I'm much more comfortable with a verse or half a verse, but I pray that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38