Sermons on Dichotomy:

Deacons Who Serve Well Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 21, 2013

The rewards of serving well as a deacon are explored.

“Those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” [1] Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” [MARK 10:45]. Jesus also ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:13

Denomination: Baptist

Competing According To The Rules Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2015

Divine rewards demand that we conduct our lives according to God's rules provided in His Word.

I consider the initial verses of this chapter to be among the most significant verses of the book. They are, as well, perhaps the most neglected verses of the missive which Paul wrote. I confess that I am ploughing quite a narrow furrow in these expositions. Note that the Apostle appeals to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In An Uncertain World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2018

The Christian knows intuitively that he/she belongs to God and that the world about them is under the sway of the evil one. The message explores some of the parameters of this knowledge.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” [1] The New York Stock Exchange hits a new high every week, sometimes even breaking previous trading records several times in a week. Investor exuberance does make some potential traders nervous; they wonder ...read more

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

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

Go To Your Room - Matthew 6:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2024

Why does God promise reward for private prayer? And how can you make your daily prayer time the most enjoyable part of your day, instead of a drudgery or chore that is dry and boring? This message will help you actually look forward to your prayer time each day and come away closer to God.

Matthew 6:5-16 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-6

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

Chosen Strangers - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 21, 2024

Peter is so eager to establish our identity (because it is the basis for so much of what he says in the book), he blurts it out before he even gets to the greeting.

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, strangers [in the world], scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 [chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Does God Hate Sinners?, And A Look At The Ancient Principles Of Biblical Writing - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 23, 2025

Most religions teach, along with the Bible, that God hates and despises the iniquity of sin and holds every individual responsible for their sin

Part 1 INTRODUCTION It is the amazing and profound love of God that is the most powerful force in the Cosmos and the reason people exist. The Bible declares that God is love and is infinitely loving and just (1 John 4:8-10). It is because of His love He must deal with sin, which is the breaking ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:29, Matthew 5:43-45, Luke 11:11-13, Romans 2:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Hebrews 6:4-6, Colossians 3:12-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lessons From The Soil: Sowing & Reaping Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 20, 2009

1) The Precept, 2) The Principle behind the Precept, 3) The Promise, 4) The Procedure

As we continue to deal with the fallout of the collapse of international financial markets one thing is clear: Unbridled greed does not work. Incentive to innovate and work hard in the long run results in prosperity, but short cuts, and unrestrained greed results in loss and ruin. Quote: J. A. ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-10

Denomination: Other

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

Redeemed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 19, 2013

The message is a study of the transformation brought through salvation.

“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 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Christian Courtesy

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 29, 2017

Christians are commanded to demonstrate perfect courtesy toward all people. We are called to speak the truth in love; this means that we are to be gentle and gracious toward those who speak ill of us or who attempt to injure us.

“Remind [the believers] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Revive Us Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 23, 2020

In a prayer to “Revive us Lord”, the Psalmist shows three things that can help us through present difficulties. He presents a 1) Remembrance of Past Revival (Psalm 85:1–3), 2) Request for Present Revival (Psalm 85:4–7), 3. Revelation for Future Revival (Psalm 85:8–13).

Psalm 85:1–13 1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah 3You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: Other

Sowing & Reaping Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 8, 2019

1) The Precept: (Galatians 6:6) 2) The Principle behind the Precept: (Galatians 6:7-8), 3) The Promise: (Galatians 6:9 and finally, 4) The Procedure (Galations 6:10) of Sowing & Reaping.

We have just experienced Daylight Saving Time. Although we may have lost an hour of sleep, the extra sunlight can make a big difference. For many people, the ever increasing amount of daylight in the average day, impacts their moods and their productivity. For the farmers, the sunlight makes a big ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:6-10

Denomination: Other