Sermons on Compelled:

Deacons? Who Needs Them:

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 14, 2013

Discovering the process for appointing deacons through reviewing the account of the appointment of the seven in the first congregation.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Solitude Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 21, 2010

1) The Straining from a lack of Solitude (1 Kings 19:1-4), 2) The Strengthening from Solitude (1 Kings 19:5-8), 3) The Searching from Solitude (1 Kings 19:9-14), &, 4) The Sending from Solitude (1 Kings 19:15-18)

With the conclusion of the Olympics and Paralympics, one of the most trying adjustments that athletes and spectators alike claim is an emptiness after the games. With such preparation and excitement, it really means a change of gears for people. Likewise, the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19 was ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Other

What Of Those Who Have Never Heard The Gospel?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 30, 2016

A response to the question, "What of those who have never heard the Gospel?" God is just and God is gathering to Himself and for His glory a great harvest of souls.

“You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Together

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 6, 2016

If Jesus is Lord over all things in the church, how much freedom do I have to quit because I am offended?

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Who Can We Blame? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 12, 2016

If we will cease blaming others, we must be controlled by the Spirit of God. A study of the impact of God's Spirit in the life of a believer.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] It was an exceptional week, even for a broken world. One morning in June, we awoke to horrific news that an alligator had dragged a two-year-old boy into a lake at Walt Disney World. Though the presence of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Love Came For Me To Set Me Free Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 23, 2016

“Love is God” says 1 John 4:8 or to reverse this thought “Love is God” God minted and defined what Love is. John 1:1 tells us Jesus and God are one which also implies that Jesus is love.

Introduction Song by Beth out of communion: Love came for me from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8tjqtJA_xU Thoughts from Shannon Wexelberg on her song “Love came for me!” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… Have you ever wondered how the cast of Heaven reacted to the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 4:18-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

The Danger Of Seeing God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2016

Familiarity with God can result is treating Him with casual disregard leading to judgement.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

When A Church Makes God Sick Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2018

Tepid Faith is condemned by Holy God. The Risen Saviour calls us to hot faith that impels us to glorify His Name.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

Casualties Of Divine Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2019

The message explores how Christians can avoid becoming casualties of divine service. There is a high cost demanded of those who will serve Christ, and we must not imagine that we will be spared paying that cost. However, in standing firm with Christ, we will stand victorious.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

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

When A Christian Prays Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 20, 2018

When a Christian prays, God is pledged to act. This is especially true when we pray for fellow Christians who have begun to stray.

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Where Our Unconverted Children Are Headed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2018

Should we fail to reach our children, instructing them in the fear of the Lord, they will break our hearts and turn from pursuing God. The message is a plea for Christian parents to reach their children with the love of Christ.

“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. And ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:7-13, Judges 18:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Not Even A King Can Disobey Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 25, 2017

A study of the pitiful account of Saul's disobedience of the will of God and what came of him.

“So, Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore, the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

There Was Darkness Over All The Land

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 3, 2021

The rework of the Easter 2020 message, which was not delivered. Jesus was God in the darkness as He hung on the cross, and He is God in the darkness of these evil days.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist