Sermons on bureaucrats: showing 196-210 of 216

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Promise Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2021

God promised to send a Deliverer because of our sin. Jesus is that Deliverer. At Christmas we remember the evidence of God's mercy to broken humanity.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Is A Matter Of Who, Not How!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 18, 2022

In worship, God is more concerned that we focus on Him than than we should be overly concerned about the mechanics of what we are doing.

“After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar’ (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

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

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“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 ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

When The Giants Just Keep Coming!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2021

Each Christian will face battles throughout the life they are called to live. There will not be one battle, but each of us will face multiple battles, and the situations we face may appear overwhelming as we face our own giants. But God will send a deliverer just when we need that deliverer most.

“There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

When The Church Is Scattered

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2021

Studying the response of the first church when persecuted can encourage a proper response to disruption of services in the modern church in the West.

“And 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.” [1] Fairmeadows Church met at seven o’clock each Wednesday evening for a prayer meeting. One evening, rather than going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

Going Out For The Sake Of The Name Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2010

Understanding our mission dictates embracing missions. Failure to understand the first leads to failure to fulfil the latter.

3 JOHN 5 8 GOING OUT FOR THE SAKE OF THE NAME “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Imperfect Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2020

If someone is looking for perfection in the Bride of Christ, they are not likely to find it. People focus on an ideal symmetry, but God gives His perfection to imperfect. We will be perfected at the return of our Saviour.

“He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” [1] Most of us don’t have to look very far to find things we don’t like about ourselves. Young women are trained by society to starve themselves in order to achieve a look they imagine will bring ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Destroy (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 24, 2022

When those who rule are unjust, how shall the Christian respond? David provides a model for godly response in this 58th Psalm as he encourages the godly to look to the Lord for His deliverance.

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO DO NOT DESTROY. A MIKTAM OF DAVID. Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods? Do you judge the children of man uprightly? No, in your hearts you devise wrongs; your hands deal out violence on earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 58:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Let Me Die The Death Of The Upright!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 17, 2023

Surprised by the intervention of God, Balaam pronounces one of the great aspirations of all who know and worship the Lord God.

“Who can count the dust of Jacob. or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the upright, and let my end be like his!” [1] King Frederick the Great of Prussia is reported to have once asked his physician to provide proof for the existence of God. The physician is said to have ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 23:10

Denomination: Baptist

Servant Leadership (The World’s On Fire) - Mark 10:41-45 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 28, 2024

In 2020, our President was impeached, economy shut down, 40 million people lost their jobs, widespread corruption at the highest levels of our government are being exposed, and there are riots, beatings, and murders across the country. Jesus shows us that all these rise out of the same root cause.

Mark 10:41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:41-45, Matthew 20:24-28

"i Know My Rights!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2024

Jesus encourages His disciples to pray. We have a right to ask great things of God, knowing that He will do what glorifies His Name.

“[Jesus] told [the disciples] a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Is That All You've Got?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2024

We who follow Christ are responsible to present the message of grace at every opportunity. Many will dismiss our message as foolish talk. We must honestly present the truth to such people, refusing to give up our stand for the truth.

“As [Paul] was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24-29

Denomination: Baptist