Sermons on Defy:

Can God Bless A Self-Willed Man? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2016

The message endeavours to explore the tragic life of Samson, a man given to pursue his own will despite the rich blessings of God and the call to serve as a Judge of Israel.

“Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. The Gazites were told, ‘Samson has come here.’ And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, ‘Let us wait till the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Healing Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 16, 2020

The miracles performed by Peter were verifiable and immediate

In my research last week I ran across a little piece of verse called “if.” IF If you can live without caffeine, If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What About John?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2019

Our Lord appoints each of His followers to a particular task. Though the task may appear difficult, it is common that we Christians attempt to turn His command by asking what He is doing in the life of another. We need to learn to focus on His work in our own life.

“[Jesus said] ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was ...read more

Scripture: John 21:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Trial By Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 22, 2021

1 Peter 4:12-19 prepares us to 1) Expect suffering (1 Peter 4:12), 2) Exult in suffering (1 Peter 4:13-14), 3) Evaluate suffering (1 Peter 4:15-18), and 4) Entrust suffering to God (1 Peter 4:19).

1 Peter 4:12-19. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Other

A Deadly Character Flow - Pride - Genesis 11 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 24, 2021

I’m surprised that my wife married me. Because if you hear our story of how we met, the very first time that we met Carrie was impressed with my arrogance.

Today I’d like to talk to you about pride. How many of you would say you have a problem with the sin of pride? I find it hard. It's kind of frustrating. Can I just say it’s a frustrating topic to preach about? I think it’s frustrating to preach about it because the people who need to hear about ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

(Section 5) Enjoying, Enduring, Or Dissolving Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jul 6, 2018

Differences in Male and Female, Good Marriages and Some Breaking Up

RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGE V. ENJOYING, ENDURING, OR DISSOLVING INTRODUCTION Marriage can be the most happy, mediocre, or unhappy of life's experiences. God designed the opposite sexes to complement each other. He wanted a man and woman to be joined in marriage so that they might each ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Worshipping The Snake

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2023

We Evangelicals are as susceptible to idolatry as are every other religious group. We don't identify our idols as opposed to Christ's rule, but they are idols that cause us to stumble, nevertheless.

“In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"unlocking The Nine Spiritual Gifts & Understanding Their Operation."

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jun 24, 2022

This message offers insights into the nine spiritual gifts within the body of Christ, helping us recognize their misuse and highlighting their transformative life-changing power when aligned with the Holy Spirit.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (1 Corinthians 12:1-3) (1) "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." (2) "Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10-16, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Ephesians 4:7-13, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Complacency Kills Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 28, 2017

It was only a momentary slip of the beasts’ feet, but it was enough to rock the Ark which was on the cart they were pulling. The priest driving the cart reached back to steady the Ark so it wouldn’t fall; but the moment he touched the Ark, he fell dead.

“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

We Saw It, But We Don't Really Believe It!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 28, 2024

The struggle to believe is real, but it is overcome when we meet the Risen, Living Son of God.

“On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 10, 2018

The Christian possesses knowledge that is not available to outsiders. Therefore, followers of the Christ must encourage their hearts that they know Christ, that they are secure in Him and they are to honour Him.

“We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” [1] “The trouble with world is not that people ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Book Of Titus Part 3 (Lessons On Titus Series) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 19, 2018

Jude longed to share the joys of salvation, which was the dominant theme uniting all of the Christian community, but an insidious cancer developing within the body of the believers threatened to destroy their peace and unity.

Peace is the serenity and confidence that come from reliance on God’s word and from looking above circumstances to the One who overrules all circumstances for the accomplishment of His own purposes. This is that same peace “beyond anything we can imagine” (Philippians 4:7). We can have no true and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

My Self-Esteem And What Became Of It

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2019

Self-esteem is detrimental to the health of the Christian and to the health of the church. Christians must cultivate humility of spirit that permits them to serve Christ and to serve their fellow saints.

“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Pagans Happy (For A While)

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2018

Godliness exalts a nation. Ungodliness condemns a nation. A study of the migration of godly people from a nation turning from righteousness and the impact their leaving had on that nation and the nation to which the immigrated.

“The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived. For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the LORD, and he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 11:13-17

Denomination: Baptist