Sermons on Encyclical:

Where Have You Hidden Your Treasure?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2010

Stewardship of life is the aim of this message. Believers are challenged to consider the employment of their money, of their time and of their spiritual gifts.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Act Like Men

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2012

The people of God are engaged in a great battle. If we will engage the enemy and advance the cause of Christ, we need to heed the commands issued in this text.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” The Christian Faith is a woman’s religion; and I’m glad this is so! Historically, women were excluded from religion. In the pagan religions extant at the time the Master presented Himself as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Where Are You? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2012

God calls us. Jesus has taught us, "Many are called, but few are chosen." However, the first time man was called by God, what was the purpose of His calling? The message explores that call and refocuses the divine call to our generation.

The LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” [1] G reat questions are not meant to reveal information to the interlocutor; great questions are meant to compel the one questioned to discover what should have been obvious. All of us have a tendency to wear masks. In fact, the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9

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 Is To Stop Me From Being Baptised? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2012

Who should be baptised? Why should one be baptised? These are questions that must be answered by each one calling himself or herself after the Name of the Son of God.

“As they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘Look, there is water! What is to stop me from being baptized?’” [1], [2] Baptism is truly the water that divides. It is an unfortunate fact of ecclesiastical history that the rite has ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:36

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Servant Of Christ Jesus

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 27, 2013

The responsibility of the pulpit to promote godliness in the Community of Faith is explored

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” [1] Godliness looms large in the thinking of the Apostle. The term “godliness” occurs fifteen ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6

Denomination: Baptist

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

Until He Comes Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 6, 2014

Knowing who is served is essential for finishing well. The man of God must faithfully fulfil His appointment until Christ returns.

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Younger Women

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2013

Not women only, but all who are placed in the congregation of the Lord, are called to consider how to live so as to honour God.

“As for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

When Does Life Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2015

God has worked in the life of His people since before the foundations of the world--preparing and appointing them for service.

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” [1] It is most humbling to realise that we cannot boast of anything we possess or of who we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

If You Would Be Perfect

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2015

Stewardship begins with stewardship of life--receiving the life that Jesus offers. All that we consider "stewardship" flows from this first great decision.

“Behold, a man came up to him, 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 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Just Ring The Bell!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 1, 2022

You can quit the struggle to finish the course. If you do, the impact of your life will be insignificant. If you stand firm, the impact of what you do now for Christ will yield eternal results.

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” [1] Becoming a United States Navy Seal is arguably among the most difficult ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling To Believe Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2021

Each Christian has likely struggled with doubts at one time or another. God's Word is given not only to reveal the Father, but to encourage us that we are accepted in the Beloved Son as we believe Him.

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

When The Giants Just Keep Coming!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2021

Each Christian will face battles throughout the life they are called to live. There will not be one battle, but each of us will face multiple battles, and the situations we face may appear overwhelming as we face our own giants. But God will send a deliverer just when we need that deliverer most.

“There was war again between the Philistines and Israel, and David went down together with his servants, and they fought against the Philistines. And David grew weary. And Ishbi-benob, one of the descendants of the giants, whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of bronze, and who was armed ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 21:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

If That's The Way Christians Act, I Want Nothing To Do With Their God!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2022

Lost people often use our failure to live as we ought to justify their rejection of Christ. While we cannot excuse them, we must know that we do offend. Therefore, we require grace to honour God and to avoid giving offence to the lost.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12

Denomination: Baptist