Sermons on Crete:

Congregational Polity Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 10, 2011

Exploration of the congregational government in the apostolic church.

“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 should give up ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Canadian Government Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 28, 2007

Christian submission to authority: 1) the command for submission, 2) the motive for submission, 3) the extent of submission, 4) the reason for submission, 5) the attitude of submission, and the 6) application of submission.

The Motto of the Dominion of Canada is from: Ps 72:8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! And we sing this every time we sing our National Anthem when we say: "God keep our land, Glorious and free". For the majority of Canadians today, the calling ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Other

Gifts From The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 31, 2015

1) Every believer has been individually gifted (Eph. 4:7); 2) Christ obtained the right to give gifts(Eph. 4:8-10); and 3) the Lord blesses the whole church (Eph.4:11)

Gift giving is a year round problem. When we are invited to an event we wonder what we should bring. Usually the bigger the event, the bigger the gift. A dinner party requires a different gift from a wedding. Problems arise when we try to out give the other invited guests, try to bribe our way with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-11

Denomination: Other

Show Grace To Mean, Evil People (Titus 3:1-8) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 10, 2022

Titus 3:4-5 are rightly celebrated, but in a way that usually misses Paul's point. Show grace to mean people, recognizing that those people are like you used to be, before God washed you and gave you his Spirit.

Last week, in Paul's letter to Titus, chapter 2, we read how Paul told Titus to set up the church, and the families within the church, to look like the ideal first century Roman household. Especially when you're a fringe religious group, but probably always, it's important to live in a ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

The Day Of Pentecost Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 16, 2020

The beginnings of the church

The day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-13 How many of you read the obituaries? I always do, first, I want to make sure my name isn’t there and then I want to see if there’s anyone there I know. I read an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gifts From The Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 17, 2020

1) Every believer has been individually gifted (Eph. 4:7); 2) Christ obtained the right to give gifts (Eph.4:8-10); 3) the Lord blesses the whole church (Eph. 4:11).

Ephesians 4:7-11 [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. [8] Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." [9] (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:7-11

Denomination: Other

Unfinished Business Part 2 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 30, 2004

The church leadership needs to complete the unfinished business of teaching the church what they are to be doing. Many of us have been given a task that is unfinished by the Lord and He wants us to complete it for Him. The result - if we accept these miss

Unfinished Teachings That Must Be Taught! ¡V Titus part 2 Thesis: The church leadership needs to complete the unfinished business of teaching the church what they are to be doing. Many of us have been given a task that is unfinished by the Lord and He wants us to complete it for Him. The result - ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15, Ephesians 5:15-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Diversity In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2012

Leadership in the congregation is to reflect the Lord’s choice rather than seeking diversity as defined in the world.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Overseer’s Fitness-6

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 26, 2012

6 of 6. Paul related the moral qualifications for an overseer of the Church. Character traits for overseers of the church are definitive. ?How is his fitness determined? An overseer’s fitness is decided by his...

The OVERSEER’s FITNESS-VI—1Timothy 3:1-7 Oversight of the local church requires a certain fitness. Need: Paul related the moral qualifications for an overseer of the Church. Character traits for overseers of the church are definitive/unequivocal. ?What character traits define ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Appointing Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 15, 2013

What is entailed in appointing elders? What rights and authority is conferred in the appointment process?

“When they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.” [1] The New Testament model for a church of the Lord Jesus differs significantly from what has been commonly accepted among the churches of our ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:23

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Farewell To Ephesus Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Nov 16, 2015

To establish that Paul’s farewell was one of kindness and deep concern for the church leaders at Ephesus, and all ministers and elders should aspire to foster this same spirit in their work of Christ everywhere.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Paul’s Commitment To Ephesus 2. Paul’s Commission to Ephesus 3. Paul’s Character in Ephesus Introductory Remarks. 1. This lesson outlines Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian church elders who came in haste to see him before his journey to Jerusalem. These elders had ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:17-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The End Is Near

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 30, 2017

1) The Destruction of the Temple (Mark 13:1-2), 2) The Deception of Many (Mark 13:4–6), and finally, 3) The Devastation of the Earth (Mark 13:7–8).

As we come to the end of 2017, the review of events over the past year show that, in many ways, nothing has changed. For example, lamenting “the winds of war” blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Other

Motivational Atrocity-2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 4, 2019

2 of ? Amos declared God’s wrath to be justified/warranted due to nationally motivated atrocities. Why/When/How do nationally motivated atrocities move God to anger & retribution? National atrocity motivates God’s retribution when that nation endorses...

MOTIVATIONAL ATROCITY-II—Amos 1:3--2:5 OR--Indefensible National Atrocities/Pride Attention: A distraught husband is standing in the local florist’s shop pleading with the clerk about his need for geraniums. “I'm sorry,” said the clerk, “we don't have potted geraniums. Could you use ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Truths Worth Fighting For

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 26, 2023

Some truths, those that define the Faith of Christ the Lord, demand that we stand firm in defending them against distortion. The faithful depend upon each of us as followers of Christ to defend the Faith, speaking the truth in love.

“Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

The Eternal Throne Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2019

The Letter to Hebrew Christians emphasizes the deity of Christ Jesus. Even long ago, some wanted to reduce His divinity to the status of a mere demigod, by identifying Him as an angel. The Word is quite aggressive in presenting Jesus as the Son of God, Himself very God.

“Of the angels [God] says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’ “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:7-9

Denomination: Baptist