Sermons on Deviance:

Dealing With The Preacher-Eaters

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 24, 2012

Sons of Diotrephes will arise among the churches. The people of God are responsible to recognise their presence and to expose their evil work.

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

Making Friends With Unrighteous Money Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Jesus instructs through a parable how those who follow Him are to be stewards of all they possess.

“Jesus also said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

He Is Able Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 28, 2015

In the darkest times, God is prepared to accomplish great things to the praise of His glory. He is able.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] Unapologetically, the message today is meant for Christians—followers of Christ the Lord. This is appropriate since the text was ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 23, 2015

A study of Revelation chapter 18 verses 1 through 24

Revelation 18: 1- 24 Does Anybody Know What Time It Is? 1After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 18:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

An Investment In Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 5, 2020

In a world which is increasingly unstable, what should the follower of Christ do? How shall we invest our lives to ensure that we accomplish something of eternal worth?

“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar. At that time the army of the king of Babylon was besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the guard that was in the palace of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

What Is This World Coming To?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2021

God repeatedly warns inhabitants of this dying world to look to Him or receive His judgement. The message looks at the Second Psalm in light of current world conditions.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling To Believe Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2021

Each Christian has likely struggled with doubts at one time or another. God's Word is given not only to reveal the Father, but to encourage us that we are accepted in the Beloved Son as we believe Him.

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Death Of A Nation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 16, 2020

When God says, "Enough!" how shall His people respond? The response of God's people to the sinful drift of our nation should lead us to grieve for our fellow man and plead with them to turn to Christ and His righteousness.

“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 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Men Have Forgotten God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2025

God must judge the sin of societies, and He does so even now. In the midst of judgement, He shows mercy to all who look to Him.

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it. But you, O ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

In The Image Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2025

Man is created in the image of God. Understanding how we are so created enables us to glorify God.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-27, 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist