Sermons on Centred:

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

Judgement Day Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2021

We are called to judge ourselves, especially focusing on our motives, as we come before the Lord's Table.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Not Much Can Be Done For An Old Woman Like That!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 16, 2023

The blessing one woman conferred upon God's Prophet was returned to her in the form of a rich blessing.

“One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Unchained Melody Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2022

The Miktams comprise Psalms written by David during a time of distress. Where shall the Christian turn when life appears to be crashing in? The Psalmist instinctively turns to God, just as the wise Christian turns to God.

A MIKTAM OF DAVID. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’ “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

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

If You're Thankful And You Know It...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 8, 2022

A message delivered on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This is a study of the impact of a thankful heart on the follower of the Christ.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

He Nailed It

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2022

Sacrificing His Life, Jesus provided the means for sinners to be declared righteous. By rising from the dead, He ensured our salvation in Him. He nailed it, providing all that is required to set aside our sin, making us acceptable to the Father.

“You, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

I Have A Vision!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 1, 2022

The assemblies of the Lord must recognise the marks of the false prophet and the false teacher. They must guard themselves against succumbing to the alluring message that leads to destruction of the congregation.

The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: “Hear the word of the LORD!” Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Some Things Need To Be Cultivated!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2022

To honour Christ, we are responsible to cultivate those graces that reveal His presence in us.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 22, 2022

We must realise that we are susceptible to transforming the Faith through the introduction of our best efforts to make the Faith more meaningful.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” [1] Traditions are essential to civilisation. Societies are built around traditions which most of those living ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

God's Love Revealed Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 8, 2022

Mary's obedience demonstrates the proper response to God's call in the life of each one.

“In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

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

The Love Of The Shepherd Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 10, 2021

1) The Love of the Good Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11–16), 2) The Love for the Shepherd’s Flock (Ezekiel 34:17–22), and the 3) The Love of the Messianic Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:23–24).

Ezekiel 34:11-24. 11 “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:11-24

Denomination: Other