Sermons on Disheartenment:

What Good Is It For A Man To Gain The Whole World? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2012

Jesus calls disciples to assess what is truly valuable, boldly seizing that aspect of life.

“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?” [1] He who dies with the most toys wins. At least, that is the sentiment expressed in contemporary bumper sticker theology. It probably sums up the contemporary worldview that esteems winning at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:25

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2020

Knowing God means that we love the brothers and build them in the Faith.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” [1] “I’m as good a Christian as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Last Speech To The Apostles And Intercessory Prayer - #1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 14, 2019

The nation of Israel was depicted as a vine planted by Jehovah (Isaiah 5:1–7). But the nation proved unfaithful and unfruitful, so the Lord Jesus now presented Himself as the true vine.

(23-2) Last Speech to the Apostles and Intercessory Prayer John 15 Tom Lowe 12/25/2007 Date: Thursday of Christ’s last week Location: Jerusalem Chapter 15 is a continuation of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. It began in Chapter 13 with the disciples being rebuked for ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

O Lord, Just Kill Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2019

God's mercy and our anger can often be in conflict. Such conflict can lead to discouragement that in turn can lead to despair. The child of God must guard his/her heart to avoid falling into deep gloom leading to thoughts of suicide.

“[God’s mercy toward Nineveh] displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

Turnaround

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 8, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 29: 1 – 36

2 Chronicles 29: 1 – 36 Turnaround 29 Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Does Wealth Count? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2016

Wealth can blind us to the riches of Christ when they assume an improper place in our lives.

“A man came up to [Jesus], saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

Guarding The Good Deposit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 25, 2015

The message explores what Paul meant when he urged Timothy to guard the good deposit. Preachers are point men in the battle to stand firm against error, but the congregation must join them in this task.

“By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” [1] Servants of Christ demonstrate a dynamic interplay of divine sovereignty and human responsibility in the exercise of the ministry God has assigned each one. One writer, citing an old maxim of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:14

Denomination: Baptist

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

Press In Like Ruth

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 1, 2013

Theme: Ruth is a story that starts out as a tragedy but then evolves into a romantic drama of the life of a Godly non-Jewish woman who trusted in Jehovah-Jirah and was rewarded for her faithfulness.

Theme: Immerse We have been challenged through Scripture over the last few months to immerse ourselves into the spiritual realm. We have been encouraged to immerse ourselves in a new way of living for ourselves and for our families. We have been challenged to look at things differently through ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Charge To The Rich Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2014

Paul instructs Christians who possess wealth their responsibility in employing what God has entrusted to them.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

People Cut To The Heart Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 4, 2017

We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit in the influence it had on Peter and the other preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life, never spoke at such length as he did now, and with such volume, eloquence, and power.

August 12, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: People Cut to the Heart Acts 2.37-40 (KJV) 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Encouragement God Gave Gideon To Attack Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Dec 6, 2018

They frankly believe that God is going to deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon and his host.

Chapter 24: The Encouragement God Gave Gideon to Attack Judges 7.9-7.15 Scripture 9 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand. 10 But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down ...read more

Scripture: Judges 7:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Lone Rangers Are Dead Rangers - James 5:14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2022

Healing and praying for the sick in the church

Introduction Open your Bibles please to James 5. If you made a list of all the commands in the New Testament, would you be surprised to find out that one of them is this: call the elders of the church to your house? It is in James 5:14. God commands you, under certain circumstances, to summon the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:14

If The Foundations Are Destroyed...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 10, 2021

In tumultuous times, how shall the righteous live? The Psalmist has given us godly counsel that must be applied to our lives.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? “The LORD is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist