Sermons on Crete:

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

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

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

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

The End Is Near

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 27, 2019

Christ depicted three coming realities: 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).

Mark 13:1–8 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” 2 And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 3 And as ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-8

Denomination: Other

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

A Shepherd To Follow Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 2, 2021

1) What are the issues in shepherding? (1 PETER 5:1) 2) Who must be shepherded? (1 Peter 5:2) 3) How must shepherding be done? (1 Peter 5:2c-3) 4) Why should shepherds serve? (1 Peter 5:4).

1 Peter 5:1-4 [5:1] So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Other

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 Ministry Of The Minister

Contributed by Don Hutto on Jun 2, 2001

Word of Encouragement on Clergy Appreciation Day

The Ministry of the Minister Titus 1:1-4 I was reading in a recent edition of SBC Life an article by Pastor Charles Lowry and he asked this question: "Do you get too much encouragement?" Are you one of those people that just gets too much encouragement? When you get up and go in to work in the ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:1-4, Titus 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The New Manifestation

Contributed by Jeff Hughes on Feb 8, 2003

The Holy Spirit comes to the disciples at Pentecost

The New Manifestation Acts 2:1-13 Jeff Hughes – February 2, 2003 Calvary Chapel Aggieland I. Introduction a. All of us have had something in our life that we’ve waited for. Maybe it was a job, maybe it was a raise or a promotion, and maybe it was for a child to be born. Or maybe, you were just ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Standard Of Living

Contributed by Michelle Holsinger on Mar 8, 2008

Our we living the life God has called us to live.

Our Standard of Living The standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available to people, and the way these goods and services are distributed within a population. It is generally measured by standards such as income inequality, poverty rate, real (i.e. inflation ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Tongues Of Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 4, 2012

In Acts 2:1-13, the harvesting of souls can be seen in 1) The evidence of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:1–4), 2) The Effect of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:5–11), and 3) The Explanation of the Spirit’s Coming (Acts 2:12–13).

The revamped Canadian Wheat Board is starting the first day of the new crop year with a grain-handling deal with one of the country’s largest agribusinesses. Winnipeg-based International Richardson says it will accept grain deliveries from farmers with wheat board contracts at all its ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Denomination: Other

Teachers And Wannabes Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 23, 2013

Not everyone who claims to be a teacher has received appointment from God.

“Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” [1] Ultimately, it is not the one who is the most polished speaker who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist