Sermons on birthday celebration:

A Multigenerational Church

Contributed by Jack Perkins, D.min., Ladc, Csac, Cclc on Sep 2, 2023

Uncracking the secret of the early church is at the heart of this message. It looks at several key elements that has led the church to grow exponentially.

A young lady working on her master's degree in social work asked to work with me on a research project related to multigenerational trauma. She plans to get her Ph.D. and continue our work internationally. I had learned how various traits are transmitted across generations. My 5th great ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Qualifying Round - Mark 3:16-19 (Luke 6:12-16) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 4, 2023

Jesus selected 12 men who, by all appearances, were deeply unqualified. But he was very deliberate about who he selected. Why did he chose the men he choose?

Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:12-16

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

True Greatness - Mark 9:33-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2023

We read of the disciples arguing who was the greatest, and we see it as immature and crass. But all of us have far more of that in us than we realize. This sermon will help you discover areas of self-exaltation and show the path toward true greatness.

Mark 9:30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:33-36, Matthew 18:1-3, Luke 9:46-47

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

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

Marks Of The True Church: Love Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2024

Christians are lovers. We are distinguished from the world by Who we love and the manner in which we reveal our love. Ours is a love which results from the love of God which is poured out into our lives.

“O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [1] Karl Barth, the Swiss theologian, ...read more

Scripture: John 17:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Ministry Glasses - Philippians 2:25-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2024

If you saw your ministry through God's eyes, you would be staggered.

Philippians 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs (lit: and your apostle and minister of my needs). 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:25-30

A Survey Of My Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2024

Lamentations speaks on behalf of those suffering as he reminds the Lord of how great is the grief experienced. He confesses that the judgement is deserved. In this, he provides a warning to those living in this present culture that they must not presume against the goodness of God.

Grief touches each of us eventually. [1] Though we know we will experience grief as individuals, we sometimes need to be reminded that grief will consume the nation that turns from righteousness while embracing wickedness. Some might suppose that Christians will gloat when judgement at last comes ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

You Will Be Called Sons Of God-Matthew 5:9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

The wellbeing of the entire world depends on peaceful relationships in the church. This message is a reminder of the importance of peacemaking, gives instruction on how to achieve it, and examines the reward Jesus promised

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

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

Christ And The Law - Matthew 5:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 20, 2024

Critics often accuse Christians of picking and choosing which parts of the Old Testament we consider binding today. Why do we appeal to the prohibition on homosexuality, and yet we don’t put an incorrigible child to death by stoning?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-18

Success Is Never About Defeating Giants [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2024

Fighting and winning one battle does not define your life, any more than fighting and losing one battle defines who you are.

1 SAMUEL 17:34-37 SUCCESS IS NEVER ABOUT DEFEATING GIANTS “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Denomination: Baptist