Sermons on Ensnared:

Life At The Back Of The Cave

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2019

How shall we respond when despondent or depressed? God may allow trials in order to drive us to Him. This study of Elijah's downfall seeks to encourage those who are depressed.

“[Elijah] came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Undeceive A Desire James 1:15-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 13, 2021

The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good days, and about God. This passage exposes those deceptions and the way to correct them.

How to Undeceive a Desire Suffering, Tests, and Temptation Part 9 James 1:15-17 12-7-2014 The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good ...read more

Scripture: James 1:15-17

5th Sunday After Pentecost. June 23rd, 2024. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 13, 2021

Year B, Proper 7.

1 Samuel 17:32-49, Psalm 9:9-20, 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16, Psalm 133:1-3, Job 38:1-11, Psalm 107:1-3, Psalm 107:23-32, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 A). WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE. 1 Samuel 17:32-49. Things had reached an impasse in the territorial struggles ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-49, Psalm 9:9-20, 1 Samuel 17:57-58, 1 Samuel 18:1-5, 1 Samuel 18:10-16, Psalm 133:1-3, Job 38:1-11, Psalm 107:1-3, Psalm 107:23-32, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Evil For Good

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 22, 2019

A study in the book of Jeremiah 18: 1 – 23

Jeremiah 18: 1 – 23 Evil for good 1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Make The House You Have The Home You Want

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2020

The message is a plea for Christians to ensure that their families are provided with a model for Christian living and that all within the family know the message of life in the Son of God.

“Fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Drifting - Genesis 38 Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Jul 25, 2021

We all have a problem and I want to talk about the problem today. It’s a problem that every Christian has.

We all have a problem and I want to talk about the problem today. It’s a problem that every Christian has. It’s that tendency we have to drift away from the Lord. Relationships take work. Whether it’s a marriage relationship, you might drift away with your wife or your husband. You might drift away ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

It's Too Late!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2023

Has western culture gone too far for redemption? Scripture would indicate that our society is flirting with divine judgement.

“I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’ And he said, ‘Go, and say to this people: ‘“Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

Survival Guide For Life In Days Leading To The Apocalypse

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2022

We are in the last days. Though we don't know the timing of Christ's return, we are assured that we are living in the last days. How, then, shall we live in this last days?

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Silent Night Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2022

A message to be delivered on Christmas day. Christ has come, and he will return. This is the promise of the season. Amen.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

The Terrible Power Of A Traducing Tongue

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2023

It is not merely unbecoming for a Christian to slander or to malign a person, it is ungodly.

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” “A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” [1] Life in this modern age has trained us to accommodate the transformation of language. Modern society ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:4, Proverbs 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

Contempt For The Angels Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 9, 2026

Jude delivers a full on assault against those who wear the livery of the Faith while denying the authority the Lord has instituted for mankind.

“Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing The Joy Of Christmas-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Dec 14, 2010

Isaiah described a future state wherein the gloom which had engulfed the people would be dismissed outright. The gloom of a sin-sick world can be dismissed. But How can it be? 7 keys/undertakings for experiencing the joy of Christmas are...

Experiencing the Joy of Christmas-I—Isaiah 8:5—9:7 Attention/Need: Gloom/Hopelessness/Melancholy/Depression/Despondency— Uncle Fred’s coming this year, We just can’t afford it, Overdrawn?, again!, Oh no!, I can’t believe this has happening, I wish this would all go away....Ahhhhh. The joyous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Slavery Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 3, 2020

Christians are obligated by God's character to free those enmeshed in slavery. Among the enslaved in North America are those participating in the scourge of pornography and prostitution, which Christians must avoid and resist.

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:23-25

Denomination: Baptist