Sermons on Dishonour:

Live As Free People

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 29, 2013

Anticipating Canada Day [and Independence Day], I invite the people of God to think what it means to live as "free people."

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” [1] Being free and living as one who is free are two entirely different concepts. People who have been incarcerated for extended periods may have difficulty adjusting to life ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Do Two Walk Together Unless They Have Agreed To Meet? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 28, 2012

Fellowship is dependent upon doctrinal fidelity. Whether co-operation in evangelism, in missionary advance or in worship, all fellowship depends upon doctrinal fidelity.

“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” [1] God had blessed His ancient people. However, despite His rich blessings, they chose to rebel. God makes it clear that He is left with no option except judgement. The question selected as the text for the message today, is ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3

Denomination: Baptist

What Shall I Do With Jesus? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 3, 2012

The preacher, the Christian and the outsider all must answer the same question--What Shall I Do With Jesus? Each of us must answer; we cannot evade. For salvation and for service, our answer reveals who we are.

“What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ” [1] Almost every message I have heard from this text was directed to lost people. That is certainly appropriate. However, in our study today, I want to consider how this question applies not only to the lost, but also to each of us who bear the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:22

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

Judgement Day Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2021

We are called to judge ourselves, especially focusing on our motives, as we come before the Lord's Table.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Is This World Coming To?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2021

God repeatedly warns inhabitants of this dying world to look to Him or receive His judgement. The message looks at the Second Psalm in light of current world conditions.

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, ‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’ “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Did The Tribulation Just Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2020

In these times of lockdown, some have begun to imagine that the Great Tribulation just began. Rather than focusing on such idle speculation, the Word of God would encourage us to shine brightly in difficult times to turn many to righteousness.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

A Dirty Little Secret About The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2015

Churches are too often controlled by immature Christians. Though they think themselves to be mature and godly, they are destructive and harmful. Christians need to work at maturing in Christ to ensure that He is honoured through the Body of Christ.

“Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Life Without Regret

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2022

As a follower of Christ you will be compelled to enter into spiritual battle. Paul encourages us by pointing us to Christ and the strength that is His. Therefore, let us stand firm in the victory that our Lord has won on our behalf.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

The One Thing That Made Jesus Say "wow!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2022

Christ is impressed by our faith, though the quality of our faith is not required for Him to show compassion.

“After [Jesus] had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Is A Matter Of Who, Not How!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 18, 2022

In worship, God is more concerned that we focus on Him than than we should be overly concerned about the mechanics of what we are doing.

“After this the Moabites and Ammonites, and with them some of the Meunites, came against Jehoshaphat for battle. Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A great multitude is coming against you from Edom, from beyond the sea; and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar’ (that is, Engedi). Then Jehoshaphat ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Lily Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2022

Standing firm in the Lord, we can depend on Him to deliver us from all evil.

To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of “Lily of The Covenant,” for teaching about his battle with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and attacked 12,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. “God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 60:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Tyranny Of Tradition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 22, 2022

We must realise that we are susceptible to transforming the Faith through the introduction of our best efforts to make the Faith more meaningful.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” [1] Traditions are essential to civilisation. Societies are built around traditions which most of those living ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist