Sermons on Discretion:

You Got What You Wanted, But You Lost What You Had!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2018

We must guard against pursuing our desires at the expense of do what honours God. Christians, especially, can lose effectiveness in service if they fail to consider the cost of their choices.

GENESIS 25:29-34 YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED, BUT YOU LOST WHAT YOU HAD! [1] Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore, his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph's Obedience: The Message Of Peace Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 20, 2018

Matthew 1:18-25 highlights that obedience as seen through the: 1) The Predicament of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-19), 2) The Point to Joseph (Matthew 1:20-21), 3) The Prophecy for Joseph (Matthew 1:22-23), and 4) The Performance of Joseph (Matthew 1:24-25)

Families have various expectations for one another at Christmas. Regardless of how far away you might live, many times they expect a visit or even a grand get together for Christmas. Regardless of the reason, the various means of travel from air, train or road are often congested and difficult. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Other

Approinted To This Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 21, 2018

Christians must realise that God appoints each of us to service within His Kingdom. We are not hired or voted to our work; God (as Sovereign) appoints.

“The LORD said to Aaron, ‘You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Fan The Flame Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2015

Disciples must refresh commitment to serving from time-to-time. This is accomplished through renewal of service to the Lord Christ.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” [1] For many Christians, perhaps even for most Christians, the memory of immediate changes that accompanied the new birth lingers in the hallowed halls of treasured events. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Esau: Daddy's Fair-Haired Boy. Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2016

What can we learn of our own character and of God's grace when we study Esau selling his birthright?

“These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of The Experts

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2021

A study of the danger posed when experts assume control over a society, over a community, or over a church. The message is a call to participatory Christianity.

“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Weaponised Narratives

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2019

We must guard against creating a narrative as a mask of the truth of God's Word.

“If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Appointed, Not Hired Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Elders (Overseers) are appointed by God. They are not hired to do a job; they are appointed to serve the One who appoints and to serve His holy people.

“I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.” [1] His face was red and his eyes were narrow slits as he raged, “We hired you, and we can fire you.” I was equally determined as I asserted with a firm, steady voice, “No one hired me; God appointed me.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

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

Take Your Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2014

To avoid appointing unqualified people to the eldership, the elders must take time to know these candidates.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Make The Gospel Look Good (Titus 2:1-15) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 31, 2022

How should first century Roman women, equal in Christ, act toward their first century Roman husbands? Is equality, or the gospel, more important?

Our passage today revolves around two related themes: reputation, and the good news about Jesus Christ. At first glance, you might not think that's Paul's focus. It's going to seem like Paul is talking about how men, and women, and slaves, should live in relation to one another. But ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-15

If God Is Against You Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 12, 2010

A study of chapter 20 verses 45 to 49 continuing through chapter 21 verses 1 through 32

Ezekiel 20: 45 – 49 If God Is against you 45 Furthermore the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 46 “Son of man, set your face toward the south; preach against the south and prophesy against the forest land, the South, 47 and say to the forest of the South, ‘Hear the word of ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

By His Stripes-12

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Nov 5, 2020

12 of 13. The prophet Isaiah declared a future time when God’s Servant would provide the remedy for sin. Jesus is God’s remedy for sin. By His stripes I receive the Servant's...

BY HIS STRIPES-XII—Isaiah 53:10-11(52:13—53:12) OR: God’s Remedy For Sin Attention: Read Isaiah 53:4-12 God has provided the only foolproof REMEDY for sin...Jesus, His only-begotten Son, His Servant! Background: ~650 years prior to the Cross of Christ Jesus, Isaiah prophesied of the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Character Of A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 23, 2021

The distinguishing marks of a Healthy Church regarding 1) Older Men (Titus 2:2), 2) Older Women (Titus 2:3–4a), 3) Young Women (Titus 2:4b–5), and 4) Young Men (Titus 2:6–8).

Titus 2:1-8. But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-8

Denomination: Other