Sermons on Deficit:

A Sick Church, A Lame Man, And Two Broke Preachers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 10, 2020

The churches of this day confront broken humanity. Whether we attempt to touch those who are broken through our wealth or with the power of Christ depends upon how we see ourselves as servants of the Lord.

“Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Mistreating The Vulnerable Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 17, 2020

Christians are taught to treat the vulnerable with compassion and with generosity. The study is based upon the practised instituted by Moses for Israel, which practise is continued among the churches to this day.

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

When The Church Is Scattered

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2021

Studying the response of the first church when persecuted can encourage a proper response to disruption of services in the modern church in the West.

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” [1] Fairmeadows Church met at seven o’clock each Wednesday evening for a prayer meeting. One evening, rather than going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Being Too Important

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 14, 2020

A message that warns against the destructive power of pride, encouraging followers of Christ to serve with humility.

“Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Aug 5, 2022

This sermon focuses on the story of Gideon and how in spite of his insecurities God saw him as a "mighty warrior" and used him to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites, and can also use us all of us as his instruments of deliverance today.

We will be starting at Judges 6. If you have been with us for a while, you know we are going through the series called Extraordinary People. Basically, the series is about the lesser known people of the Bible who, because of their faith and obedience, God used in extraordinary and unexpected ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:1-40, Judges 7:1-25

Denomination: Christian Church

Where Is God When Life Crashes In?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2023

God always works in the life of His people, bringing glory out of our trials. Because He loves us, the pain experienced through our trials will exalt Him.

“As [the mob was] stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Terrible Power Of A Traducing Tongue

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2023

It is not merely unbecoming for a Christian to slander or to malign a person, it is ungodly.

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” “A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” [1] Life in this modern age has trained us to accommodate the transformation of language. Modern society ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:4, Proverbs 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

He Nailed It

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2022

Sacrificing His Life, Jesus provided the means for sinners to be declared righteous. By rising from the dead, He ensured our salvation in Him. He nailed it, providing all that is required to set aside our sin, making us acceptable to the Father.

“You, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Sarah Laughed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 7, 2022

Sarah Laughed in unbelief, but God transformed her unbelief, changing her laughter to the expression of joy. God longs to transform the one who is honest before Him.

“[The angels charged with the destruction of Sodom] said to [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Some Things Need To Be Cultivated!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2022

To honour Christ, we are responsible to cultivate those graces that reveal His presence in us.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Lily Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2022

Standing firm in the Lord, we can depend on Him to deliver us from all evil.

To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of “Lily of The Covenant,” for teaching about his battle with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and attacked 12,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. “God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 60:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness For The Foremost Sinner

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 21, 2022

Can God forgive you of the worst sin you've ever committed? The message explores the grace of God, not to excuse our sin, but to encourage us to look to God for grace as we turn from our sin to walk with Him.

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

An Interview From Hell

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 27, 2022

What would a person in hades ask of us if we were able to hear them? Jesus provides us insight into this dark situation when He reveals what a lost man asked.

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

Our Civic Duty

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2025

Christians must serve as salt and light in our world. As part of our responsibility in the world, we must be good citizens, fulfilling the will of the Lord by wise exercise of our participation in the civic process.

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 16:18-20

Denomination: Baptist