Sermons on beliefs that matter:

When The Bottom Drops Out Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2024

Even the righteous suffer when judgement is poured out on the nation. God's people are what holds back judgement at this time.

“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. “The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!” [LAMENTATIONS 4:1-2] [1] What a dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Worried About? - Matthew 6:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Your Father (not nature) feeds billions of birds every day and you are worth far more than the birds, therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

Stress-Free Suffering - Matthew 6:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Anxiety is not caused by trouble. It is caused by an untrusting heart’s response to trouble. There are six spiritual causes of anxiety, and Jesus shows us the solutions.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:27-34

Don’t Run For Gatorade - Matthew 6:28-33 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

How are promises of God's protection and provision comforting if all the things you are afraid of still might happen?

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:28-33

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Chosen Strangers - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 21, 2024

Peter is so eager to establish our identity (because it is the basis for so much of what he says in the book), he blurts it out before he even gets to the greeting.

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, strangers [in the world], scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 [chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Sinners Suffering For The Sins Of The Saints

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 22, 2024

The saints of God hold back the judgement of God by their righteous presence in the land. But if the righteous cease to be godly, what can delay God's righteous judgement?

“Behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place. All this is for the transgression of Jacob ...read more

Scripture: Micah 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Faith Futures At Record High - 1 Peter 1:7-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 28, 2024

Probably the most worn-out prayer there is, is that one-word reaction we always have when we suffer, “Why? Why is this happening?” Peter gives us the answer.

1 Peter 1:6 In which you rejoice, a little while, if necessary, you may be grieved in multifaceted trials, 7 in order that the proof of your faith (more precious than gold, the perishing through fire, but proved), it may be found toward praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7-9

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Rock And Role: Another Brick In The Wall - 1 Peter 2:4-5a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

You won't understand the purpose of your life very well until you have a thorough understanding of the nature of the Church.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

"alas, Babylon!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 28, 2024

God will judge this fallen world and those who live only for this world. How, then, shall the one who follows Christ live?

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Nehemiah Part 2

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 26, 2025

NASB, notes by biblegateway.com

Ezra Reads the Law 8 And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of the Water Gate, and they [a]asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had [b]given to Israel. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard