Sermons on Crete:

Wearing Flip-Flops While Racing Against A Ferrari

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 4, 2023

The Follower of Christ must gear up for a struggle. However, it is not a physical struggle; it is a spiritual struggle. Whether we want to be in this conflict or not, it is upon us because we believe the Word of God.

“Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Serves Not The Lord Jesus Christ (Lesson 2) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 22, 2024

To herald Paul’s solemn plea and message to the church in Rome, to mark and turn away from those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine they had heard, learned, believed, and obeyed according to “The faith, once delivered to the saints.”

INTRODUCTION Outline. 2. Serves not the Lord Jesus Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. This is lesson two in this sermon series: “Paul’s Solemn Plea To Rome.” This was an urgent and solemn plea from the beloved apostle Paul to the saints at Rome. His message began with a sincere plea to the brethren ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fasting For Reward - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

This message ends with a section that teaches how to make your resistant, unwilling heart more willing to fast. It’s the method Jesus used.

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

The Race

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 14, 2019

Each Christian is running in a marathon. Our Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon which demands our best always.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Teaches Us? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 13, 2012

Grace teaches us to do what is good for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. We must devote ourselves to doing the good because of grace- doing good is all rooted in grace. It’s because of God’s kindness love and mercy that we even get the privilege to serv

Sermon: Grace Teaches us? Opening Illustration: Definitions of Grace from sermoncentral.com Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-3:11: 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Desiring A Noble Task Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2013

Those who seek eldership, provided they are motivated by divine call, desire a noble task.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” [1] Few things give me greater pleasure than seeing God raise up heralds of holiness. I taught preacher boys in Texas for a brief period. Throughout the years of my service before the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Take Your Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2014

To avoid appointing unqualified people to the eldership, the elders must take time to know these candidates.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22-25

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

A Vision Beyond Jerusalem

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Sep 25, 2015

This sermon establishes the church must look beyond its doors, city, and state. It has to extend its vision and mission to fulfill the Great Commission. This lesson also discusses the expansion of the gospel of Christ beyond Jerusalem into the Gentile nations by men of color.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Commission of Barnabas 2. The Consolation of Barnabas 3. The Character of Barnabas 1Introductory Remarks. 1. After the conversion of Cornelius and the persecution that arose due to Stephen's Stoning, the gospel reached other cities beyond Jerusalem. Men traveled as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Guarding The Good Deposit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 25, 2015

The message explores what Paul meant when he urged Timothy to guard the good deposit. Preachers are point men in the battle to stand firm against error, but the congregation must join them in this task.

“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” [1] Servants of Christ demonstrate a dynamic interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the exercise of the ministry God has assigned each one. One writer, citing an old maxim of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

Come Before Winter Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 15, 2016

The coming of winter imposes an urgency on our service to Christ. For someone we know, it is "winter, or never." Whatever we are to do, it must be now.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. “The Lord be with your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report (Lesson 3) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jun 2, 2021

To establish that Isaiah’s report was the: good news of the coming Messiah. He came to be offered in sacrifice for the sins of the world. Israel rejected this message, but the Gentile nations gladly received it. This lesson deals with one's faith and obedience to the gospel.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 3. Gentiles Hath Received Isaiah’s Report Introductory Remarks. 1. This is lesson three in this sermon-series: “Lord, who hath believed our report?” The question originates from the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 53:1. This was Isaiah’s report of the coming and work of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12, John 12:38, Romans 10:16-21, Mark 4:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

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

Godly Submission Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 23, 2021

1) The Command (1 Peter 2:13a), 2) Motive (1 Peter 2:13b), 3) Extent (1 Peter 2:13c-14), 4) Reason (1 Peter 2:15), 5) Attitude (1 Peter 2:16), and 6) The Application of Submission (1 Peter 2:17).

1 Peter 2:13-17 [13] Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, [14] or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good [15] For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Other

Make The Gospel Look Good (Titus 2:1-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 31, 2022

How should first century Roman women, equal in Christ, act toward their first century Roman husbands? Is equality, or the gospel, more important?

Our passage today revolves around two related themes: reputation, and the good news about Jesus Christ. At first glance, you might not think that's Paul's focus. It's going to seem like Paul is talking about how men, and women, and slaves, should live in relation to one another. But ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15