Sermons on Diotrephes:

A Mother's Request Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 9, 2015

1) A Naïve Request (Matthew 20:20–21) and 2) A New Response (Matthew 20:22-24)

If you were to ask people what a Great mother is, they would most likely define such a person as one who would help her kids achieve greatness. There would be a desire to keep her kids safe and help them do what they want to make a name for themselves. Although this all seems to be a natural ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-24

Denomination: Other

1 Peter Chapter 5 Commentary Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 30, 2021

Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning.

1 Peter Chapter 5 Commentary INTRODUCTION to Chapter 5 Peter closes out his letter to the scattered Christians in the churches of Asia Minor with some final instructions. He counsels the elders about how to lead, includes how and why to live in humility with each other, and gives a final warning ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Down And Out - The Pastor Who Falls

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 23, 2020

Too many churches have placed men and women into positions of leadership in the church because they were successful in the marketplace or even because they were good communicators. They are looking at performance...

The media has been on a feeding frenzy concerning the Catholic Church scandal that has captured the attention of our nation and even the world. Leaders of the Catholic Church aren’t the only ones that have been hit with allegations concerning sexual misconduct—leaders of the protestant church have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Strength For The Conflict Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 26, 2009

We are at war with spiritual wickedness. However, God has equipped us for victory. We need but draw on what He has already provided to be assured of victory.

“Take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”[1] "If you don’t want trouble, don’t say anything, don’t do anything, don’t be anything.” This sage advice was offered by a man who frequently stood in the midst of battle. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:13

Denomination: Baptist

Useless Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2008

Faith is so much more than a passive agreement to a set of doctrines. Saving faith transforms the one who believes. Without this transformation, how will anyone know whether we are saved, or merely pretending to be a follower of Christ?

JAMES 2:20-26 USELESS FAITH “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Works

Contributed by Doug Gorman on Apr 14, 2016

Do your works, deeds, actions or words reflect Christ? Can someone attribute to you the things that you do are Christ-like? Or are you doing them for your own advantage?

Isaiah 64:6: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” As I stand here to deliver this message I pray that God will use me for His ambition. Nothing is to be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Pastor’s Authority

Contributed by Dr. William D. Poovey on Apr 25, 2015

Bible truths about pastoral authority.

THE PASTOR’S AUTHORITY AND THE CHURCH MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY THE PASTOR’S AUTHORITY AND THE CHURCH MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY There are two things that we desire to cover here. First, we want to reinforce the scriptural authority of the pastorate and warn about the abuse of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28

Denomination: Foursquare

A Shepherd To Follow Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 2, 2021

1) What are the issues in shepherding? (1 PETER 5:1) 2) Who must be shepherded? (1 Peter 5:2) 3) How must shepherding be done? (1 Peter 5:2c-3) 4) Why should shepherds serve? (1 Peter 5:4).

1 Peter 5:1-4 [5:1] So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: [2] shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-4

Denomination: Other

Loved In Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 27, 2010

Christians are taught to love one another. However, what is it that causes us to love one another? How shall we love? John gives us a glimpse of the love we are to have in this brief letter to a man named Gaius.

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Message For An Intellectual Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2020

Paul's message before the Areopagus forms the basis for a study of how to approach an intellectual audience. This knowledge is necessary if we are to succeed in presenting the Faith in the midst of our world today. This is the substance of a radio message at Easter.

“Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: ‘Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: “To the unknown god.” What therefore you worship as unknown, this ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Be His Image! Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 14, 2012

Being an imitator of Jesus means we view things differently than the world. This means we answer questions differently about significant goals in life. We have different priorities in our life than a person who does not know Jesus. We strive not to pleas

Series: Imitators Summary of last week: The key verses from last week were1 Thessalonians 1: 6-8a: 6You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will Shepherd For Glory - 1 Peter 5:2c-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 8, 2025

It matters a lot to God what your motives are for ministry.

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God's flock that is under your care, overseeing--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2-4

Sinners Suffering For The Sins Of The Saints

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 22, 2024

The saints of God hold back the judgement of God by their righteous presence in the land. But if the righteous cease to be godly, what can delay God's righteous judgement?

“Behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place. All this is for the transgression of Jacob ...read more

Scripture: Micah 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials

Contributed by David Cambridge on Jan 18, 2002

This sermon considers several aspects of persecutions and trials: author, purpose, assurances, response.

Aspects Of Persecutions And Trials The Church’s Reaction To Adversity Introduction 1. Since the establishment of the church God’s people have endured various persecutions and trials. Even in times of comparative rest a church may face discouraging trails from a variety of circumstances and ...read more

Scripture: John 15:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Do You Want To Go Away As Well?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2015

When adherents and members leave the fellowship of a congregation, how should we respond? We find guidance for our response in the actions of the Master.

JOHN 6:60-71 DO YOU WANT TO GO AWAY AS WELL? “When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ describing Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Baptist