Sermons on Contrary Winds:

O Lord, Just Kill Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2019

God's mercy and our anger can often be in conflict. Such conflict can lead to discouragement that in turn can lead to despair. The child of God must guard his/her heart to avoid falling into deep gloom leading to thoughts of suicide.

“[God’s mercy toward Nineveh] displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Through The Word Pt 3 - Sermon 11 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 16, 2019

God’s written Word (The Bible) when followed and obeyed gives joy to our hearts and revives our souls from the ravages of sin.

Introduction Video Illustration: Skit Guys Christian and Un-Christian Series: Find Joy in the Journey Thesis: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:13, Psalm 19:7-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Party Crasher

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2019

Christ receives sinners. Just so, the assemblies of our Lord should be noted for welcoming those who are identified as sinners, since we each were once estranged from the Lord until He welcomed us.

“One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Priorities-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 31, 2019

1 of ? Haggai exhorted those returning from exile to prioritize their relationship with God. God’s people must prioritize their relationship with God. But how can they do that? A prioritized relationship with God properly assesses...

PRIORITIES—I—Haggai 1:1-15 Attention: Yard Sale Priority: A woman was taking her time browsing through everything at a friend's yard sale, & said to her, “My husband is going to be very upset that I stopped at a yard sale.” “I'm sure he'll understand when you tell him about all the ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes It's Like A Jungle [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2020

Studying the response of Jesus to the devil's temptation lays a foundation for the child of God to withstand temptation.

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 24, 2020

Without a doubt the most difficult challenge that you will ever face as you strive to live out God’s kind of love… IS WHEN - somebody hurts you, when they do you wrong, when evil is done to you or to those we love.

Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Gideon Prudently Pacifies The Offended Ephramites Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 20, 2019

They were angry with Gideon because they were left out and did not share in the glory. Gideon tactfully gave them the “soft answer” that healed the wounds and prevented division. Better to do that than to start another war.

Chapter 27 Gideon Prudently Pacifies the Offended Ephramites [Judges 8.1-8.4] Scripture 1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2 And he said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

Deborah's Story Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 16, 2017

Deborah was an extraordinary woman of faith and leader as a Judge of Israel because she listened to God over others in a oppressive and stressful time (Judges 4:1-3).

Series: Extraordinary Women of Faith Thesis: Extraordinary is defined as very unusual or remarkable – not ordinary or normal! Yes, the opposite of extraordinary is normal! We were created by God to live and to do extraordinary things in our lives with His power and presence. Question: Do you ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Esau: Daddy's Fair-Haired Boy. Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2016

What can we learn of our own character and of God's grace when we study Esau selling his birthright?

“These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

One Holy Purpose Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2016

Examining the motivation for Paul's perseverance and service can encourage believers to persevere in the midst of a darkened world that increasingly opposes the Faith.

“I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” [1] The Apostle has emphasised a concept that is not often welcomed today—hardship. Directing student ministries at a major pastoral school some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

Ironies Surrounding Jesus’ Crucifixion

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 28, 2021

1 of 1. Luke wrote a true account of some events that surrounded Jesus’ crucifixion, & in so doing recorded some of the ironies present in Jesus’ death. *What are some of those ironies? Ironies surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion are hidden/revealed in...

IRONIES SURROUNDING JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION—Lk. 23:26-46 Irony—An “incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events & the normal or expected result.”—Merriam-Webster Dictionary Luke wrote a true account of some events that surrounded Jesus’ crucifixion, & in so doing recorded ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:26-46

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2020

Knowing God means that we love the brothers and build them in the Faith.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” [1] “I’m as good a Christian as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

God's Crybaby

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2020

The wickedness witnessed in contemporary society breaks the heart of the follower of Christ, just as such evil breaks the heart of the Saviour.

“‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist