Sermons on Compel:

Their Rock Is Not As Our Rock

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 30, 2018

What has God done for me lately? We need to remember the distinction of God as contrasted to the varied "gods" of this dying world.

“Their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.” [1] Our world adulates success; however, the world defines success by a standard of its own making. To a far greater degree than we might ever admit, we Christians have been infected with the attitudes of this fallen world. We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

After The Whirlwind

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 15, 2020

Do we learn anything by passing through difficult times? A study of Job will encourage the people of God to realize that God always instructs us through the trials we are called to pass through.

“Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicted Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 11, 2020

The Messiah has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. What does that mean to us in our modern world? That is the question raised in this study of Isaiah's presentation of the Suffering Saviour.

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” [1] Christmas has traditionally been a time of festive joy. Families gather to feast and to exchange gifts, friends are invited to share in joyous, even raucous celebration, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4

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

Giving Him Something He Can Feel

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2022

Faith in Jesus as the Saviour, even if that faith is not yet perfect, is honoured by the Lord. The message serves to encourage all to look to Jesus for mercy, which He gives to all who come to Him in faith.

“And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’” [1] How sensitive are you? I don’t mean, are you woke. Neither am I particularly thinking of whether you are able to feel the pain of another. But, I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:30

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

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

Lily Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2022

Standing firm in the Lord, we can depend on Him to deliver us from all evil.

To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of “Lily of The Covenant,” for teaching about his battle with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and attacked 12,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. “God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 60:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Mending Broken Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2016

A review of the ministry of reconciliation.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” [1] The Ministry of Restoration is committed to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Stolen Glory Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2017

Usurping God's glory leads to judgement. A study of Herod Agrippa's death because he accepted glory that properly belonged only to God.

“Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. On an appointed day, Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:20-24

Denomination: Baptist

When Standing Alone Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 27, 2016

Each Christian will eventually stand alone. At such times, they may be assured that they are never truly alone--the Lord is standing with them.

2 TIMOTHY 4:16-18 WHEN STANDING ALONE… “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Theology Of A Thief

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 17, 2019

A study of the faith of the thief who was saved even as he was dying.

“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Rock And Role: Another Brick In The Wall - 1 Peter 2:4-5a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 9, 2024

You won't understand the purpose of your life very well until you have a thorough understanding of the nature of the Church.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5

How Can We Sing The Lord's Songs In A Foreign Land?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2023

Our life as followers of Christ serve as either a hymn of praise pointing to our Saviour, or it serves as mere background noise for the delight of a dying world.

“[By the waters of Babylon] our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ “How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” [1] “Our citizenship is in Heaven, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

This Ain't No Joke!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 13, 2023

What will be required for you as a follower to Christ to believe His commands? Receiving Him as Master over life leads us to accept His commands.

“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