Sermons on Astonishment:

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Came From The Father Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 15, 2018

Jesus was forthright in declaring that He came from the Father, and that He would return to the Father. Christmas is recognition of this truth, pointing especially to the sacrifice of the Saviour for the sin of mankind.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 16:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

Jonah’s Journey Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 18, 2016

1) Jonah’s Commission (Jonah 3:1–4) 2) Nineveh’s Confession (Jonah 3:5–9) and 3) God’s Compassion (Jonah 3:10)

If you are a fan of classic comedies, you are probably a fan of the classic: “Ground-hog Day”. In this 1993 comedy, “a weather man (played by Bill Murray) is reluctantly sent to cover a story about a weather forecasting "rat" (as he calls it). This is his fourth year on the story, and he ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10

Denomination: Other

The Jesus Journey Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 25, 2016

The story of this encounter, like our own journey of faith, may be viewed from three perspectives: 1) The need for understanding (Luke 24:13–24), 2) The source of understanding (Luke 24:25–27), and 3) The response to understanding (Luke 24:28–32).

Luke 24:13–24 13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-32

Denomination: Other

Practising Witnessing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 23, 2017

The Great Commission is given to all Christians. As we go, we are charged to fulfil this mandate to witness. The message explores some parameters of the commission to encourage believers to fulfil Christ's command.

“Jesus came and said to [the disciples], ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Prepare His Coming Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 1, 2018

Although we do not know the precise day and hour of Christ's coming, in "Preparing for Christ's' Coming" we must be: 1) Alert (Matthew 24:37–42) and be 2) Ready (Matthew 24:43–44).

Matthew 24:36-44. [36]"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. [37]For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44

Denomination: Other

Bowling Alone: Dying For Lack Of Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2018

The aloneness that has become a hallmark of our modern age presents a great opportunity for the people of God to present the message of life. As Christ calls people to rest in Him, the churches must echo that call.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [1] Robert Putnam raised a red flag for people living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Qualified To Decide-3 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on May 23, 2017

3 of 6. Paul rebuked the Corinthian Christians for trusting secular sources in rectify grievances among themselves. The Church is uniquely fitted to properly rectify personal grievances. Christians are qualified to rectify grievances thru Their...

QUALIFIED To DECIDE-III—1Corinthians 6:1-11 OR Qualified To Rectify Attention: Shoe Cover-Up: One day a man found himself in a pickle because he had to drive his secretary home after she fell quite ill at work. He felt ill at ease about the situation, even though it was an innocent gesture. But ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Strength To Stand-4 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 20, 2017

4 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how can God's people find the strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-IV—Ephesians 6:10-20 Attention: Read & recount Numbers 13:1-33--14:1-4, 5-10 Highlight the disparity among the majority of the Israelite leaders(who spied out the land of Canaan), vs. Caleb & Joshua(13:30, 31; 14:6-9, 10). God’s people had POTENTIAL(13:31-33) to stand ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

How Big Is Your Gospel?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2015

Is your gospel big enough to permit you to work together, maintaining the unity of the Faith? Or is your gospel so small that you must prevail in every dispute?

“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” [1],[2] We do not ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-3

Denomination: Baptist

Provisions For The Sanctuary

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 5, 2015

God has established principles for His people to guide their giving. The principles are outlined even as Israel journeyed on the exodus.

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me. And this is the contribution that you shall receive from them: gold, silver, and bronze, blue and purple and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Justified? Or Judged? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2017

Is there a way for us to make ourselves acceptable to God? The Apostle Paul teaches that such a thought is an impossibility.

“We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [1] “So that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Of The End Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 8, 2018

Just as a mother’s birth pains increase in frequency and intensity as the time to give birth approaches, so the judgments depicted by the seals will intensify throughout the Tribulation until they culminate in the arrival of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In what many never expected to see in their lifetime, there seems to be real movement towards ending the Korean war between North and South Korea. Many are hoping that this will not only transform the Korean peninsula, but encourage other nations in conflict, like Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-8

Denomination: Other

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2018

An exposition of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer presented in John 17.

“[Jesus] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist