Sermons on Decency:

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 26, 2014

Study of one reason for suffering experienced by God's people.

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Body Is The Lord’s Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 9, 2011

Sexual sin: 1) Is harmful to everyone involved (1 Corinthians 6:12a); 2) It gains control over those who indulge in it (1 Corinthians 6:12b); and 3) It perverts God’s purpose for the body (1 Corinthians 6:13-20).

This past week has given the world a preview of the demise of the entertainment industry. Charlie Sheen and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, as one commentator said, stood on its coffin and hammered in nails, one in Detroit (where Mr. Sheen was booed off the stage) and the other at Rutgers University ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Other

Were You There? Yes You Were. Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on May 20, 2015

Tonight, I want to take you back to where, for all the reasons that really matter, over 2,000 years ago. a This is a message that before its over . . . will engage your senses ...sight, smell, touch, taste, hear what Jesus experienced in the 14 hours leading up to the Cross.

Were You There? Yes you were. Good Friday Service 2015 April 3, 2015 CFBC Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker A The Crucifixion narrative in the four gospels take place over about a 14 hour period of time. PIX: BLOOD MOON 1 Tonight, I want to take you back to where, for all the reasons ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:48-50

Denomination: Baptist

Departure From The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 19, 2013

Apostasy is an ongoing threat to the faithful. It is a process rather than an event.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Impact Of One Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 8, 2023

We Christians are commanded to love one another. But what does such love look like? If we love one another, what practical impact will that love have on us as a congregation?

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Church Discipline – Spanking Ourselves So God Doesn’t Have To – Part 2

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Sep 28, 2020

This week we will be introduced to the steps or the process of church discipline.

Because God loves us, He disciplines us… (Heb 12:3 NKJV) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Heb 12:4 NKJV) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Heb 12:5 NKJV) And you have ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:3-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Culture Of Vulgarity

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2025

Christians must turn from embracing the things of this world, deliberately choosing to seek the things that are above.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” [1] Since the fall of our first parents, for as long as mankind has existed, vulgarity has plagued the race. What do I mean when I use the term “vulgar?” The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

Balak Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jan 24, 2022

Balak's hired soothsayer tries to curse the Israelites three times, but the words that come forth are a wonderful surprise, which can inspire us all.

Balak [part 1] Balak was a king of Moab described in the Book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible, where his dealings with the prophet Balaam are the main topic. Religion: Chemosh Born: Moab Died: Moab Parents: Zippor Partner: Amina Family: Zippor (father) Grandchildren: Ruth, Orpah Children: ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:5

Denomination: Baptist

Not Much Can Be Done For An Old Woman Like That!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 16, 2023

The blessing one woman conferred upon God's Prophet was returned to her in the form of a rich blessing.

“One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. And she said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. Let us make a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritually Extravagant - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 30, 2024

Submission is not blind agreement or passive acceptance or subservience, nor is it demeaning. It is taking your God-ordained place in the home, which brings honor to both your husband and you.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

The Gospel Of The Flesh Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2026

Godliness reveals the presence of Ghrist in an individual's life. When the flesh prevails in a life, people become indistinguishable from unreasoning beasts.

“These people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.” [1] Though man is created in the image of God, man without the Spirit of God is spiritually on a par with brute beasts. Understanding this, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:10

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Happened To Modest Dress?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 5, 2025

Teaching our daughters to be godly will require modelling righteous lives as well as providing sound instruction from the pulpit and in the home.

“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” [1] There are certain clothes Christian women should never wear in public. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Difficult Times Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 15, 2016

As the consummation of the Age nears, the infiltration of evil into the churches will become more pronounced, requiring awareness and resistance from the faithful.

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Slavery Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 3, 2020

Christians are obligated by God's character to free those enmeshed in slavery. Among the enslaved in North America are those participating in the scourge of pornography and prostitution, which Christians must avoid and resist.

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus – His Death Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Jun 21, 2021

Jesus – His Death Series: CREED: Truths that Unite Brad Bailey – February 7, 2021

Jesus – His Death Series: CREED: Truths that Unite Brad Bailey – February 7, 2021 Intro... Well... good morning Westside Vineyard friends and family.... each of you joining today... as well as those who may connect sometime in the future. It’s a PRIVILEGE to have this time to share with you...and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational