Sermons on busy schedule:

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

Bringing Brothers Together - Philippians 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 25, 2022

Paul models peacemaking by expressing his love, which involves family warmth, heartfelt affection, desire, joy, and satisfaction.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

I Need You To Touch Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 16, 2024

We often delay seeking Christ's help until desperation drives us to Him. He stands ready to deliver us when we come to Him confessing our need for Him to touch us.

“When [Jesus] came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

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

Come Out From Among Them - 1 Peter 2:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 17, 2024

What did Jesus mean by being in the world but not of the world?

1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

That’s Not Fair! - 1 Peter 2:18-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 22, 2024

Why doesn't the Bible condemn slavery?

1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-19

"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

The Servant Who Hears God's Voice (Isaiah 50:4-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 13, 2025

Sermon's focus is on listening to God. The servant is part of the group of disciples who hear God's voice. The servant suffers, but is confident that he suffers innocently, and that God will vindicate him.

Our passage today is commonly called the third of the four servant songs in Isaiah 40-55. The other three, famously, are in Isaiah 42, 49, and 53. I've said before that over a century ago, a scholar named Bernard Duhm split off these four songs from the rest of Isaiah 40-55, and treated ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-11

Grace By Association - 1 Peter 4:12-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 2, 2025

The gospel is about grace by association - receiving favor from God solely because of association with Christ. And that involves suffering.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the degree that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

Different denominations have different traditions about what the elders' job description should be. But there shouldn't be differing traditions. Peter makes it very clear.

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1

Who Is God?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2025

Like many people in this day, Moses knew about God, but Moses didn't know God until he encountered God. Each of us who are twice born will have had an encounter with the Lord God. Until then, He is but a rumor.

“Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Man Who Honored The King’s Son - Mark 15:40-47 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 1, 2024

Why do all four gospels make such a point about the details of Jesus burial? His death matters, his resurrection matters, but why is his burial so important? And what are the implications for us?

Mark 15:40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 42 It was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:40-47, Matthew 27:55-61, Luke 23:48

The Luckiest People Alive - Matthew 5:1-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 1, 2024

There is controversy surrounding how the Sermon on the Mount should be interpreted. Is it law? Grace? Is it binding on us today? How can we possibly live that way?

The sermon on the mount makes some very hard demands on us. The introduction to the sermon (the beatitudes) is designed to provide motivation for the hard demands of righteous living throughout the sermon. The first half of the message focuses on how the sermon on the mount should be interpreted (a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

The Sooners Vs. The Soft - Matthew 5:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 4, 2024

This passage describes one of the virtues of Jesus that he explicitly drew attention to because of how important it is, and yet it’s one of the least desired virtues even among Christians. This message reveals the meaning of meekness, and how to become more meek.

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 5:5

Chastisement And Compassion Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2024

Even in the midst of national judgement, the follower of Christ the Lord is comforted by the hope Christ gives.

“This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Are those words familiar to you? Do they bring back memories from your childhood? I don’t know if your dad ever spoke those words to you, but my dad said these words more frequently than should ever have been necessary. And I readily admit that I gave him ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:1-33

Denomination: Baptist