Sermons on Effort:

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

An Interview From Hell

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 27, 2022

What would a person in hades ask of us if we were able to hear them? Jesus provides us insight into this dark situation when He reveals what a lost man asked.

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Road To Heaven - Philippians 3:12-14 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 10, 2022

After speaking against legalism in the first half of the chapter, Paul now warns against the opposite error: quietism. Not even Paul has gotten to a place where he can coast. The race goes until you die.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

We Are Doing A Great Work! - Philippians 1:4-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2021

The Philippians’ gospel partnership/fellowship (koinonia) with Paul was like the Fellowship of the Ring (band of unlikely comrades who would lay down their lives for one another and the cause of the Fellowship).

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:4-8

Your Work, His Power - Sermon On Philippians 2:12-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 1, 2023

The commands God gives us are like a foreman telling a worker to move a mountain. A shovel (his own strength) won’t work, but neither will a lawn chair. The power comes from the earth mover, but operating that entails hard work.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act for the sake of his good pleasure. Introduction From ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-13

Whatever Happened To Modest Dress?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 5, 2025

Teaching our daughters to be godly will require modelling righteous lives as well as providing sound instruction from the pulpit and in the home.

“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” [1] There are certain clothes Christian women should never wear in public. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Penetrating Word

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jan 5, 2001

God’s Word is a discerner of our ways.

The Penetrating Word of God Hebrews 4:11-13 The young man grew up in church. He was there with his mother every time the door opened and though sometimes she wondered if he was listening, he was there. He heard the stories of faith. He sang the songs of faith. He even embraced the faith at one ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Evaluate Love According To The Scriptures Instead Of Human Standards

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Aug 20, 2001

HOW TO EVALUATE LOVE ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES INSTEAD OF HUMAN STANDARDS - I Cor. 13:4-7

HOW TO EVALUATE LOVE ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES INSTEAD OF HUMAN STANDARDS - I Cor. 13:4-7 One evening while appearing on CNN’s Larry King Live, Jack Kemp, the honorable congressman from New York, made an insightful comment about the religious right when he said, “People don’t care how ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Loving God Through Worship Series

Contributed by Steven Dow on Mar 17, 2006

"Living a Life of Love" - Part 3. This message spells out seven principles on how to W.O.R.S.H.I.P. God.

LOVING GOD THROUGH WORSHIP Living a Life of Love – 3 Psalm 95 March 19, 2006 INTRODUCTION: Today we will be continuing in our series titled “Living a Life of Love.” In week one our theme was love your spouse. Last week our theme was love each other and this week our theme is love God. How do ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Don't Wanna Be A Pharisee

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Oct 23, 2006

The Pharisees were a group that wanted holiness in their lives and obedience to God, yet Jesus rebuked them more harshly than any other group. Where did they go wrong? How can we avoid their error?

Don’t Wanna Be A Pharisee TCF Sermon October 15, 2006 Let me tell you about two groups of people. The first group of people is deeply concerned about holiness. They are students of the Word of God. They are very careful about obedience to God. They take very seriously God’s admonishment to be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:23-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Kind Of People Ought You To Be

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 8, 2005

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina many of us want to ask God why? In this message we will answer that question and also allow God to ask us a question.

What Kind Of People Ought You To Be? Slide Show Of Katrina Devastation As The Song ‘All I Can Say’ By David Crowder played This week like so many of you; my eyes, my mind and my heart have been literally flooded with hundreds of disturbing images. The devastation that Hurricane Katrina has ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Great Is Your Love

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 18, 2003

Love is an uncommon force that copes with suffering. By enduring the pain, sorrow and anger we are exhibiting God’s unconditional love. People who are mature in love endure the pain of selfish, critical and immature scoffers.

How Great is Your Love - I Cor. 13:4-7 Illustration: One evening while appearing on CNN’s Larry King Live, Jack Kemp, the honorable congressman from New York, made an insightful comment about the religious right when he said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Beginning

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 20, 2007

A challenge contrasting the new life in Christ with the religious life that satisfy the most of mankind.

JOHN 3:1-16 A NEW BEGINNING “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered him, ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Worshipping The Snake

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 23, 2006

Christians easily slip into venerating the "things" God gives to bless us. Hezekiah, as he ascended to the throne, destroyed the bronze serpent because the people had lapsed into idolatry without realising what they were doing.

2 KINGS 18:1-4 WORSHIPPING THE SNAKE In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

When I Surrender To Temptation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 19, 2007

Temptation is always a threat to the child of God. The message is a consideration of the source of temptation and the consequences of surrender to temptation.

JAMES 1:13-15 WHEN I SURRENDER TO TEMPTATION “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives ...read more

Scripture: James 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist