Sermons on Ensure:

Surprise! – Easter Devotional

Contributed by Michael Brown on Mar 26, 2024

I wrote this devotional to share with the seniors I do ministry with in church & in a nursing home.

Surprise! – Easter Devotional I need help to do this well. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do something you can’t do. Now, anyone who has ever been surprised about something in life please raise your hand. Has almost everyone here been surprised at one time or another? Surprises can be both ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:5-6, Matthew 27:65

Denomination: Baptist

Why Lamentations? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 15, 2024

Contemporary western culture is facing a date with destiny. When God's judgement is unleashed, and it shall surely come, all of us will lament our failure to honour Him or to serve Him.

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great among the nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave.” [1] “Lamentations! You’re actually going to preach a series of messages from that dark, foreboding book? ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Misusing The Law Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2013

The purpose of the Law and the danger of mishandling that same Law is discussed. The contrast of law and gospel is examined.

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2015

Believers are urged to see their lives as dedicated to service to the Saviour rather than merely being lived for their own interests.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” [1] Suffering well is a ministry in itself! Note that I did not say that suffering is a ministry. Few of us tolerate suffering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Fight The Good Fight Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 24, 2014

Paul instructs the elder in broad strokes to exert himself to excel. In these instructions is a pattern for all who pursue the Master if they will honour Him.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” [1] Six commands are issued in the final statements of this vital missive to a young theologue. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

A Postscript For Preachers Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2014

Paul's closing words summarise what has been presented to Timothy in this letter.

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. “Grace be with you.” [1] It is no secret that I am a news junkie; I fill my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor's Relationships Within The Congregation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2014

Broadly addressing the relationship of the pastor with several groups within the congregation, Paul instructs Timothy in the conduct of his life.

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Women Preachers And The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2013

Women and men are spiritually equal before the Lord; however, women are debarred from occupying the role of elder within the congregation of the Lord.

“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. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Clergy In Conflict

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2019

Honouring the Son of God who appoints to holy service may well bring the servant of God into conflict with those who are seeking an easy religion. The one who will serve God, must maintain perspective and remain focused on pleasing Him who appoints to His service.

“Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, ‘“Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Pieces Of Silver And A Suit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2017

Religion is cheap. Those who seek to perpetuate religion will sell the Faith for a pittance. The message calls on the faithful to distinguish between those seeking a job in the ministry and those who are appointed by God to minister.

“Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. And the man departed from the town of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn where he could find a place. And as he journeyed, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Reason To Be Thankful

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 9, 2016

Writing the Romans, Paul speaks of his gratitude for them, giving some surprising reasons for being thankful.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

Conquering The Giants

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jun 27, 2018

A study in the book of Deuteronomy 2: 1 – 37

Deuteronomy 2: 1 – 37 Conquering the giants in your life 2 “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness of the Way of the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me, and we skirted Mount Seir for many days. 2 “And the LORD spoke to me, saying: 3 ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

You Don’t Know Me

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jul 9, 2018

A study of the book of Deuteronomy 12: 1 – 32

Deuteronomy 12: 1 – 32 You don’t know Me 12 “These are the statutes and judgments which you shall be careful to observe in the land which the LORD God of your fathers is giving you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth. 2 You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel