Sermons on Casual:

Where Are You? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2012

God calls us. Jesus has taught us, "Many are called, but few are chosen." However, the first time man was called by God, what was the purpose of His calling? The message explores that call and refocuses the divine call to our generation.

The LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” [1] G reat questions are not meant to reveal information to the interlocutor; great questions are meant to compel the one questioned to discover what should have been obvious. All of us have a tendency to wear masks. In fact, the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9

Denomination: Baptist

What Does Scripture Say? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 9, 2012

The study seeks to learn how Abraham was saved. If we determine the answer to this question, we will know precisely how we may be saved.

“What does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” [1] If you have walked in the Faith for very long, you will have been challenged by some dear soul who does not believe the truths of Christ the Lord. Such benighted souls ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Younger Women

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2013

Not women only, but all who are placed in the congregation of the Lord, are called to consider how to live so as to honour God.

“As for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Saved Through Childbearing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2013

Women have a vital role in the life of the saints. Struggling for mastery over men ensures that they cannot fulfil the role God has graciously given.

“Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” [1] The role of women—in society and especially in churches—is a topic fraught with grave danger. The man who dares speak on the biblical role of women ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Baptist

‘yes’ - Your Honor Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 8, 2014

A study of the book of Romans chapter 2 verses 1 through 16

Romans 2: 1 – 16 ‘Yes’ - Your Honor 1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-16

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Practising Belonging Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 27, 2017

What is expected of new believers? The answer to this question is revealed through examining the life of the first congregation after the body was flooded with a multitude of believers following Pentecost.

“Those who received [Peter’s] word were baptized, and there were added [to the Faith] that day about three thousand souls. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Making War In The Local Church Series

Contributed by Jeff Van Wyk on Jul 13, 2013

Many new believers are not taught how to overcome the onslaught of the evil one and become confused and disorientated when things begin to go wrong.

Making War In The Local Church 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. The devil is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Denomination: Charismatic

Deacons Who Serve Well Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 21, 2013

The rewards of serving well as a deacon are explored.

“Those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” [1] Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” [MARK 10:45]. Jesus also ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:13

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

Will You Let Just Anyone Eat At Your Table? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2021

A discussion of the oversight of the Lord's Supper, focusing on the participants at the Meal and the attitude with which we are to partake of the Meal.

“When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling To Believe Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2021

Each Christian has likely struggled with doubts at one time or another. God's Word is given not only to reveal the Father, but to encourage us that we are accepted in the Beloved Son as we believe Him.

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Is Treated As "cheap!" Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2021

Can God accept a murderer? He accepted Saul; and He has accepted many of us who were once filled with bitterness toward others. Those who turn from their evil to receive Christ as Master over life will be accepted by the Living God.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

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

Wounded! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 19, 2020

The message is a reflection on the sacrifice of the Christ--why it was necessary for Him to be pierced and why it was required that He be crushed. The message is a reminder that our peace results from His suffering in our place.

“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” [1] Midst the ubiquitous celebrations of this Christmas Season, as the streets of our cities are decorated with colourful banners ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Baptist