Sermons on Astray:

Prepared For Burial Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 9, 2013

Mary worshipped Jesus as the Lamb of God through extravagant surrender of all that she possessed.

“When Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste? For this could have been sold ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2013

When Christ calls us to be with Him, He honours us. He does not treat us as we deserve should we fail Him, but He is glorified in raising us up and employing us to His glory.

“Jesus went with [his disciples] to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to [them], ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

Following Jesus Without Denominationalism Series

Contributed by Sam Baker on Mar 26, 2012

This was to let us be sure that we have answered the call of the gospel, by which HE adds us to HIS church and not some sort of denomination begun by a man.

Following Jesus without Denominationalism Part 3: ‘Accepting the Call of the Gospel’ Three messages in, and the series is just now starting to really heat up; and getting really good if I should say so myself, as the LORD has actually been teaching me a thing or two here as ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Punishment Does Not Suit The Crime Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 22, 2012

a study of the book of Judges chapter 19 verses 1 - 30

Judges 19: 1 – 30 The Punishment Does Not Suit The Crime And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite staying in the remote mountains of Ephraim. He took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. 2 But his concubine played the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 19:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Making War In The Local Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jul 13, 2013

Many new believers are not taught how to overcome the onslaught of the evil one and become confused and disorientated when things begin to go wrong.

Making War In The Local Church 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. The devil is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Denomination: Charismatic

Repairing The Altar Of The Lord

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2013

When the Faith ebbs, God raises up a rude prophet to challenge the evil that has insinuated itself into the lives of the people of God.

“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near to me.’ And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, ‘Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:30-40

Denomination: Baptist

Changed Yet? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 14, 2013

Jeremiah calls the people of God to really change!

Series: Changed pt 2 The song “changed” was played twice this morning before our service and this is how and why this song was written: Rascal Flatts’ new single, “Changed,” co-written by Gary LeVox, Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley, came about from a true story told ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 23, 2015

A study of Revelation chapter 18 verses 1 through 24

Revelation 18: 1- 24 Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? 1After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

If You Would Be Perfect

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2015

Stewardship begins with stewardship of life--receiving the life that Jesus offers. All that we consider "stewardship" flows from this first great decision.

“Behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

To Timothy, My Beloved Child Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2015

Weighing the salutation of Paul's Second Letter to Timothy to discover hidden gems.

“To Timothy, my beloved child: “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” [1] We tend to rush past the introductions and greetings of the letters included in the canon of Scripture. Perhaps we modern believers imagine that we know all there is to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

Destination Bethlehem: A Stable Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 27, 2015

God chose the most humble circumstances possible for the entrance of His Son into the world. He did this that we might know His love and receive Him as one of us.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

In Search Of A Man Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jul 22, 2015

To establish that God is always searching for men through us to be saved and accomplish his divine will, this lesson presents a clear example of the New Testament's "pattern of conversion," replicated throughout the Book of Acts.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. God Sought for a Man - Found Philip 2. Philip Sought for a Man - Found the Eunuch 3. Eunuch Sought for a Man - Found Jesus Introductory Remarks. 1. In our scripture lesson, a call went out. The angel of the Lord directed Philip: "To go south into the desert." He ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:25-40, Acts 1:8, Acts 13:1-3, Matthew 27:32

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Building Faith In Our Children Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 1 of the series Passing On The Faith

Building Faith In Our Children Passing on the Faith (2 Timothy) Have you ever thought about how the Christian faith is passed along from person to person, from generation to generation, like links in a chain? Whether you realize it or not, your faith is the result of the faithfulness of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Character Counts Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 8, 2016

The response to disruptive people demonstrates the Christian's maturity. Paul counsels the expression of the character that marks all who are mature in Christ.

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Futility Of Wealth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2016

Materialism ensures that we can never fully enjoy the blessings of God

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist