Sermons on Censure:

Prayer For Those Who Govern Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2013

Reviewing the response of believers when they no longer represent the majority views in society.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-6

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

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

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

A Reason To Be Thankful

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 9, 2016

Writing the Romans, Paul speaks of his gratitude for them, giving some surprising reasons for being thankful.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2015

Believers are urged to see their lives as dedicated to service to the Saviour rather than merely being lived for their own interests.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” [1] Suffering well is a ministry in itself! Note that I did not say that suffering is a ministry. Few of us tolerate suffering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

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

The Party Crasher

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2019

Christ receives sinners. Just so, the assemblies of our Lord should be noted for welcoming those who are identified as sinners, since we each were once estranged from the Lord until He welcomed us.

“One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of The Experts

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2021

A study of the danger posed when experts assume control over a society, over a community, or over a church. The message is a call to participatory Christianity.

“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Henceforth

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 10, 2022

Beginning well is important in the Christian Life; ending well is critical. We witness both as we see what the Apostle Paul has written near the end of his days on this earth.

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-8 HENCEFORTH “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

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

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

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