Sermons on Dishonour:

Justified? Or Judged? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2017

Is there a way for us to make ourselves acceptable to God? The Apostle Paul teaches that such a thought is an impossibility.

“We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [1] “So that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

But They Could Not...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2018

Despite the repeated efforts of mankind to duplicate the work of the Lord, His work is unique and man is unable to do what He does. Eventually, those who imagine they can supplant God crash up against reality, and they are revealed to be frauds.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, “Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.”’ And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

The God Whom We Know

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2018

What do we know about God? Does what we know influence our response to Him and to others? These are the issues explored in this message.

“We know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [1] Few portions of the Word are calculated to give the Christian pause as is this one verse. The Living God does not ignore ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Under Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 27, 2018

Jonah's prayer from the belly of a fish serves to encourage Christians to pray, especially when under water.

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying “‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2018

An exposition of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer presented in John 17.

“[Jesus] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons For Writing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 11, 2018

Confidence in our salvation is essential to vibrant life as a Christian. John writes to encourage believers to focus on what is essential for vigorous faith.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” [1] The couple, a man and a woman, had come to the door professing concern for my welfare. Their concern was driven by certainty that a great, world-wide conflagration known as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of Creation

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2024

God's character is revealed through the Creation.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” [1] Philosophers ask questions related to our presence in time and space and our present ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

A Survey Of My Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2024

Lamentations speaks on behalf of those suffering as he reminds the Lord of how great is the grief experienced. He confesses that the judgement is deserved. In this, he provides a warning to those living in this present culture that they must not presume against the goodness of God.

Grief touches each of us eventually. [1] Though we know we will experience grief as individuals, we sometimes need to be reminded that grief will consume the nation that turns from righteousness while embracing wickedness. Some might suppose that Christians will gloat when judgement at last comes ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-22

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

The Mixed Multitude Among Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 24, 2020

Allowing unsaved individuals to provide guidance for the church invites destruction of the Faith.

“A mixed multitude also went up with them” [EXODUS 12:38a]. [1] The world is attending our services. That is the good news! The bad news is that the world is attending our services. Churches of this day tend to order services of worship of the Living God with a view of accommodating the desires ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:38

Denomination: Baptist

If I Am A Man Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2020

I suppose the term "man of God" means different things to different people. However, we have the account of an individual who was called a "man of God" and commanded to respond to a king's command. Because he was a man of God, certain characteristics marked his life.

“After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. “Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, ‘Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.’ But the angel of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Have the professed people of God permitted themselves to be compromised by the world to such an extend that they are powerless against wickedness? Though the thought is frightful, Christians need to assess our relationship with the Living God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

In A World Gone Mad, Where Is God?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 28, 2019

When we cry out "It's not fair," we are forgetting that God has fixed a day when He will judge the world in righteousness. Followers of the Christ must look to Him to make right the wrong that now permeates the world.

“[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” [1] Sexually frustrated men driving vans on city sidewalks intent on killing innocent and helpless women, out-of-control ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:31

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicted Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 11, 2020

The Messiah has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. What does that mean to us in our modern world? That is the question raised in this study of Isaiah's presentation of the Suffering Saviour.

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” [1] Christmas has traditionally been a time of festive joy. Families gather to feast and to exchange gifts, friends are invited to share in joyous, even raucous celebration, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4

Denomination: Baptist