Sermons on Divine Purose:

Help! There's A Snake In My Garden! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2023

We need a Redeemer because we are fallen people. We inherited our fallen nature because of the fall of our first parents. Eve was seduced by Satan, and Adam chose to rebel against God. Thus, the creation was plunged into ruin.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Forgive Us Our Debts - Matthew 6:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 15, 2024

Most people think asking forgiveness means asking not to be punished. But there is far more to forgiveness than that. Asking forgiveness means requesting that God reverse the damage of sin in 4 areas.

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Dumping The Treasury - Matthew 6:19-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 21, 2024

How do we obey the command not to store up treasure on earth when we need to earn a living, provide for our families, save for future bills and for our children, etc? This message gives specific instruction on what it means to use money without treasuring it.

Matthew 6:19-24 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Chosen Strangers - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 21, 2024

Peter is so eager to establish our identity (because it is the basis for so much of what he says in the book), he blurts it out before he even gets to the greeting.

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, strangers [in the world], scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 [chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Hope In God! - 1 Peter 1:13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Hope is when you turn your attention from some small bad news to some big good news. It is central to the Christian life and it is a Christian duty (with grace comes responsibility). But it is hard to do.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

All Cultures Are Not Equivaent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 4, 2025

The rules for war that Moses gave to Israel revealed a vast cultural gap between Israel and the nations they were to dispossess. The nations of the west in this day are culturally superior to much of the remainder of the world because the foundations of the west are found in the Word of God.

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Be Fruitful And Multiply

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2025

The Creator's command, "Be Fruitful and Multiply," is largely ignored by the people of God today. We have much to learn even with the second part of His command to subdue the earth.

“God blessed [the man and the woman]. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” [1] Undoubtedly, I am venturing into ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Power And The Glory - 1 Peter 4:11b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 2, 2025

In this message, you'll discover the best thing that you could ever do and the most beneficial thing that can ever happen in your life.

1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him do it as one speaking the words of God. If anyone serves, as with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. Introduction 1 Peter 4 is all about how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11

Renew Your Passion For Ministry! - 1 Peter 5:2b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 13, 2025

The New Testament has three titles for pastors--each one pointing to a crucial part of his job description.

1 Peter 5:1-10 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 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2

The God Of All Grace Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 3, 2025

We are called to glory (unhindered experience of God's attributes), but the sufferings of Satan's attacks threaten to prevent our arrival in glory.

1 Peter 5:10-14 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:10-14

Every Action Matters Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 1, 2025

We need to come alive in 2025 and we do this by prophesying life into that which is dead and then asking the breath of Life from Heaven to enter that which is dead. We do this so people know the resurrection power of the Lord. Then we put our Words into Action

Opening Video: Shindler’s list movie clip – I could have done more! Series: Come Alive in 2025 Thesis: We need to come alive in 2025 and we do this by prophesying life into that which is dead and then asking the breath of Life from Heaven to enter that which is dead. We do this so people ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-27, John 16:32-33, James 2:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Did Jesus Say To Patrick? Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 1, 2025

A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did!

Sermon: What did Jesus say to St. Patrick (Maewyn Succat) A Scotchman (Britian and Roman Catholic) enslaved by Irish – rescued by God and sent back to Ireland to win the country for Jesus – which by the way he did! Most of what we know about St Patrick comes from 2 of his writings: The Confession ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational