Sermons on Criteria:

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“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 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Eldership - 1 Peter 5:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

Different denominations have different traditions about what the elders' job description should be. But there shouldn't be differing traditions. Peter makes it very clear.

Churches are to be elder-led. The term elder refers to a position of authority and leadership, but elders should work with congregations in major decisions like a husband with his wife. Elders should be nominated by the people and appointed by the other elders. The elder takes over the roles of the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1

Marks Of The True Church: Unity Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 1, 2024

The unity of the Faith transcends denominations, embracing all who are twice born through faith in Christ the Lord.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself [2nd Copy]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2024

When this message was planned this past winter, services were cancelled due to a blizzard. This is a second effort that has been revised and brought up to date. How shall Christians respond as our contemporary culture self-destructs?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Insists We Care For, And Love, One Another (Revelation 3:1-5) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Sep 29, 2025

In this church, the missing works, are works of love, service, and faithfulness. Have to conquer apathy, and an uncaring attitude, as well as the big obvious sins like idolatry.

In small towns, one of the most important things that anyone can have, is a good reputation. A good name. Your reputation is something that you've built over the entirety of your life in this town, as long as you've been here. People think good things about you, or bad, or a mix. There ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-5

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

Right Now Counts Forever - Ecclesiastes 12:14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 2, 2025

Is there going to be a Judgment Day for believers? Yes! And knowing what will happen on that day is crucial in the way you live this life. This message is a summary of Scripture’s teaching on the subject.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. Introduction Summary of Ecclesiastes After 16 weeks ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:14

What Is A Christian? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2026

If it was a crime to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Are you able to say what a Christian is?

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” [1] A little boy once asked his father, “Daddy, what is a Christian?” The dad patiently explained to his son ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Tools For A Biographical Sketch Of Gideon

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 14, 2001

A biographical message seeks to explore the character, reputation, background, contributions, relationships, temperament, and spiritual life of person in the scriptures.

IV. Biographical Exposition DEFINITION - A biographical message seeks to explore the character, reputation, background, contributions, relationships, temperament, and spiritual life of person in the scriptures. Examples of Biographical Sermon Titles (From Sermons For the Nigerian Pastor) 1). ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Benefits Of Lifestyle Stewardship Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Jun 27, 2008

I want to talk to you this month on the theme of stewardship, which truly is the missing piece to successful living. I¡¦m excited about what this month is going to have in store for you and for me as far as our own spiritual growth ...

STEWARDSHIP: THE MISSING PIECE TO SUCCCESSFUL LIVING The Benefits of Lifestyle Stewardship Luke 6 Dr. John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: I want to talk to you this month on the theme of stewardship, which truly is the missing piece to successful living. I’m excited about what this month is going to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:27

Denomination: Wesleyan

Pastoral Personal Conduct

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 16, 2013

Timothy is instructed in how he is to conduct his life as a minister of Christ. Thus, each servant of the Master is taught how he should conduct his life and ministry.

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

How Shall We Escape? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2012

Many professing Christians treat the Faith as though it were optional; God calls us to absolute commitment.

“We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Experience The Spirit In The Word Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 25, 2011

Our first step toward spiritual maturity and to experiencing the Spirit starts with the Bible. It is the one resource breathed to life by God and then placed into our hands by God to follow.

Series: Experience the Spirit Theme: The Body of Christ needs to learn to experience the Spirit in their everyday lives so that they grow spiritually. We can learn to experience true spirituality as we see the Spirit at work in our daily lives and activities. As we learn to recognize the Spirit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Back To Basics: The Bible - Book Of Books Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 14, 2010

The pages of the Bible show us God taking the initiative, giving us information about himself and revealing His purposes for us His creation. How we view the Bible is crucial because it holds the key to knowing for certain that God exists. There may be

What is the Bible? Bible means “book.” But what kind of book is the Bible? Some think it is a record of religious striving toward encounters with God an essentially human book. Traditionally, the Christian church has seen the Bible as more than this, the Bible is viewed as the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:89-96

Denomination: Pentecostal