Sermons on Contemporary Fashion:

Why Does The Government Do More Than The Church To Help The Poor? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 26, 2015

This passage on the care of widows opens up a larger question: what's the place the church should have in the care of the poor (versus the place the government should have)?

THE POINT OF THE PASSAGE: Taking care of the needy widows was a big deal in the early church. - There was a different societal structure and a lack of social safety net back then. The church stepped in to help. - Unpack some of the passage. - The passage raises a more general question: why ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecy Marches On

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Apr 13, 2011

Prophecy is meant to be a serious thing.

Prophecy Marches On. By Gerald Van Horn Duteronomy18:20 “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” To speak a word of prophesy is not a light ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Men Sought By God-1 Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jul 8, 2017

God looks for a person in this Generation where every walk of the life is more perverted, rotten. Yet God has the hope on this generation, He is looking for a person who can do the greater things.

Ezekiel 22:01-31 Men who are sought by God Introduction: Ezekiel was a contemporary of prophets Jeremiah and Daniel. He wrote probably between 593 and 563 BC. vv.1-15 The sins of that Generation: 1. Despising the parents (v.7) and holy things of the Lord-bread and Wine-(v.8) 2. Mistreated the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:1-31

Denomination: Methodist

A Charge To The Rich Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2014

Paul instructs Christians who possess wealth their responsibility in employing what God has entrusted to them.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Postscript For Preachers Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2014

Paul's closing words summarise what has been presented to Timothy in this letter.

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. “Grace be with you.” [1] It is no secret that I am a news junkie; I fill my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

For Christ's Sake?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 7, 2015

The life of the disciples must be lived for Christ's sake and not for the disciple's comfort.

“[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

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

Weaponised Narratives

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2019

We must guard against creating a narrative as a mask of the truth of God's Word.

“If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8

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

Christian Courtesy

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 29, 2017

Christians are commanded to demonstrate perfect courtesy toward all people. We are called to speak the truth in love; this means that we are to be gentle and gracious toward those who speak ill of us or who attempt to injure us.

“Remind [the believers] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

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

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

My Self-Esteem And What Became Of It

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2019

Self-esteem is detrimental to the health of the Christian and to the health of the church. Christians must cultivate humility of spirit that permits them to serve Christ and to serve their fellow saints.

“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

What Is This World Coming To?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2021

God repeatedly warns inhabitants of this dying world to look to Him or receive His judgement. The message looks at the Second Psalm in light of current world conditions.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

I Won't Complain Any More!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 26, 2020

The whining of the people of Israel following God's deliverance from slavery is too often echoed among the churches of this day. Grumbling is a serious sin against God, inviting His divine judgement.

“The people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:1-3

Denomination: Baptist