Sermons on Blemish:

You Are Not Your Own

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 20, 2017

Sexual sin is ubiquitous in contemporary society; it is often excused among the faithful. We need to live with a focus on the Cross if we will honour God with our bodies in the midst of a world that has surrendered to the appetites of the flesh.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” [1] Accepting Christ as Saviour transforms life—attitudes and actions take on new significance. The adage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Rules For Farming, Work, Rest, Worship, And Cooking (Exodus 23:10-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 17, 2022

Animals, servants, and the land need a break. Don't come before God empty-handed. When you celebrate harvest, celebrate God.

Today, we work our way through Exodus 23:10-19. This is another one of those passages where we will find ourselves being pulled in lots of different directions. God sort of hops around, from one topic to another. And we will have to do our best to hop with him, and keep up. Part of me wonders ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:10-19, Matthew 6:11, Leviticus 25:18-22, Exodus 31:15-17, Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:18, Colossians 2:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

The Undefiled Marriage Bed

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2014

The call to purity must be iterated in this day if the people of God are to enjoy His power.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” [1] Listening to contemporary sociologists, one would conclude that marriage is a dying institution. Actually, one need not listen to sociologists ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Baptist

Believe In Holy Living

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 20, 2014

Because God is Holy, we must hold onto His gift of holiness which he gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. We must perceive it and understand what it is then believe on it and receive it! Once we have it we need to make sure that we hold onto it.

Illustration: Give out the gifts to the staff before preaching. Make a big deal about then 5-10 minutes into sermon have them come back to the front at different times and say they don’t want my gift and throw it at me. This illustration is what some people do with the gift of holiness that ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Oneness In Marriage Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 19, 2013

1) Observation of Oneness (1 Corinthians 7:1), 2) Qualification of Oneness (1 Corinthians 7:2), 3) Obligation of Oneness (1 Corinthians 7:3-5), 4) Expectation of Oneness (1 Corinthians 7:6-9)

1 Corinthians 7:1. [7:1] Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." [2] But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [3] The husband should ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

Denomination: Other

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

Striving To Succeed In 2019

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 28, 2015

This lesson deals with Paul’s self-confession and desire to succeed in his “pursuit of Christ” and "the prize of the high calling of God." He provides a plan for all who are “striving to succeed,” in their pursuit of Christ. It begs our attention.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Release the Past 2. Reach for the Present 3. Race toward the Prize Remarks. 1. This lesson deals with believers striving to succeed – in their pursuit of Christ, and their desire to be well pleasing to God. The motto of the Lexus motorcar is the “Pursuit of Perfection.” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Love? Or Lust?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 13, 2016

Christians must distinguish between love and lust. The message is a study of a young man who failed to distinguish between love and lust, bringing great sorrow upon the nation and ultimately condemning himself to a violent death.

“Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David’s son, loved her. And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Trustworthy Administrator Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2016

As Christians, we are called to administer the grace of God in a wise manner. The message explores the scope of our assigned responsibilities.

“This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” [1] For many years, it has been my practise to preach a stewardship message at least once in each calendar month. This ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Being Too Important

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 14, 2020

A message that warns against the destructive power of pride, encouraging followers of Christ to serve with humility.

“Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2016

Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to deliver a people for His Name into His eternal Kingdom.

In the midst of darkness, God’s glory blazes. When evil appears to triumph, grace prevails. When dark denizens of this fallen world convince themselves they have defeated grace, righteousness conquers. These themes are written large in accounts provided of the brief hours leading to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2023

God made atonement as Jesus hung on the cross. All who receive Him as Master over life are brought into the family of God, forgiven all sin, and saved forever.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Salt & Light Living Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 5, 2020

God enables us for 1) Being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:13a, 14), the problem if we are 2) Not being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:13b, 15), and 3) The Benefit of being Salt & Light (Mt. 5:16).

Matthew 5:13-16 [13] "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. [14] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Other

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Where was God when Jesus was crucified? The divine mystery is that God provided Himself as a sacrifice for sinful man. We are humbled by this knowledge, and eternally blessed.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Concern For Unity

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 25, 2015

To establish that unity is possible only when all agree to follow the divine standard of God -- the bible, which brings unity to the body of Christ. This lesson encourages all believers to strive for "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Jesus’ Prayer for Unity 2. Spirit’s Plea for Unity 3. Father’s Plan for Unity Remarks. 1. Unity is only possible when all believers respect and follow the divine will and word of God. Jesus prayed for unity, the Spirit pleaded for unity, and the Father has outlined a plan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, Ephesians 4:1-7, John 17:20-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ