Sermons on Censure:

Is Rebellion Ever Justified?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 11, 2016

Considering the events leading up to Absalom's rebellion and seeking to learn from his actions.

“After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom used to rise early and stand beside the way of the gate. And when any man had a dispute to come before the king for judgment, Absalom would call to him and say, ‘From what city are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Certainty In A Question Mark World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2016

Defining and utilizing God's gift's of the Body of Christ, the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.

“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor's Relationships Within The Congregation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2014

Broadly addressing the relationship of the pastor with several groups within the congregation, Paul instructs Timothy in the conduct of his life.

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Good Is Enemy Of The Best

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2014

Choosing what is best is often counter-intuitive. Christians are responsible to choose what is best.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: Baptist

How Shall We Escape? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2012

Many professing Christians treat the Faith as though it were optional; God calls us to absolute commitment.

“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Misusing The Law Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2013

The purpose of the Law and the danger of mishandling that same Law is discussed. The contrast of law and gospel is examined.

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 10, 2018

The Christian possesses knowledge that is not available to outsiders. Therefore, followers of the Christ must encourage their hearts that they know Christ, that they are secure in Him and they are to honour Him.

“We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” [1] “The trouble with world is not that people ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Everything New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 21, 2018

The study contrasts Heaven with our present situation. What can we expect in Heaven? For many of us, we need to change our perception of what shall be.

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

When "Over There" Looks Better Than "Over Here"

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2018

Meditations on Christian living as I near the end of days. Looking to what is coming enables me to weather the storms of life and to draw renewed strength from the Risen Son of God.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 15, 2016

As the consummation of the Age nears, the infiltration of evil into the churches will become more pronounced, requiring awareness and resistance from the faithful.

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Pieces Of Silver And A Suit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2017

Religion is cheap. Those who seek to perpetuate religion will sell the Faith for a pittance. The message calls on the faithful to distinguish between those seeking a job in the ministry and those who are appointed by God to minister.

“Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. And the man departed from the town of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn where he could find a place. And as he journeyed, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Old Commandment That Is Now New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2014

We may either love one another or hate one another; there is no halfway in this situation. God calls us to love. Failure to love is hatred.

“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist