Sermons on Centred:

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

Marks Of The True Church: Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2024

Christians are to be immersed in the truth as they are sanctified in this life. We are immersed in truth as we immerse ourselves in the Word of God and as we invest ourselves in the congregation wherein the Spirit of Christ has placed us.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” [1] Truth is in short supply in our world. Tragically, truth has been largely sacrificed for what has come to be known as “truthiness” in our world today. Perhaps that has always been the case, but it is certainly apparent that this is the case ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When Life Crashes In?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2023

God always works in the life of His people, bringing glory out of our trials. Because He loves us, the pain experienced through our trials will exalt Him.

“As [the mob was] stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Would You Say "yes?"*

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 16, 2023

The command God gave Noah made no sense on any level. Studying the account, we can no doubt learn something essential about faith.

“The earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Rabble Among Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2023

Association with a church does not translate to identification with Christ.

“The rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6

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

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

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Have the professed people of God permitted themselves to be compromised by the world to such an extend that they are powerless against wickedness? Though the thought is frightful, Christians need to assess our relationship with the Living God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For An Intellectual Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2020

Paul's message before the Areopagus forms the basis for a study of how to approach an intellectual audience. This knowledge is necessary if we are to succeed in presenting the Faith in the midst of our world today. This is the substance of a radio message at Easter.

“Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Humblebragger

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 3, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 10: 1 – 27

1 Samuel 10: 1 – 27 The Humblebragger 10 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance? 2 When you have departed from me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

I Have Come Into The World As Light Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 8, 2018

A study of the impact of Jesus as light in our darkened world.

“Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge ...read more

Scripture: John 12:44-50

Denomination: Baptist

I Came From The Father Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 15, 2018

Jesus was forthright in declaring that He came from the Father, and that He would return to the Father. Christmas is recognition of this truth, pointing especially to the sacrifice of the Saviour for the sin of mankind.

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father ...read more

Scripture: John 16:25-28

Denomination: Baptist

Practising Serving Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 25, 2017

The model that is frequently brought into the church is provided by this world. That model drives the disciple to step on others in order to advance himself. The model Jesus provides, though often neglected, is quite different; it teaches us to serve.

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-29

Denomination: Baptist