Sermons on Ensure:

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Under Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 27, 2018

Jonah's prayer from the belly of a fish serves to encourage Christians to pray, especially when under water.

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying “‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Signposts To Paradise

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 10, 2018

A study in the book of Leviticus 23: 1 – 44

Leviticus 23: 1 – 44 Signposts to Paradise 23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. 3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Are You Blessed Or Cursed?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 13, 2018

A study in the book of Leviticus 26: 1 – 46

Leviticus 26: 1 – 46 Are You Blessed or Cursed? 26 ‘You shall not make idols for yourselves; neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar shall you rear up for yourselves; nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am the LORD your God. 2 You shall keep My Sabbaths ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Nepotism

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 17, 2018

A study in the book of Numbers 3: 1 – 51

Numbers 3: 1 – 51 Nepotism 3 Now these are the records of Aaron and Moses when the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the anointed priests, whom he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Repairing The Altar Of The Lord

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2013

When the Faith ebbs, God raises up a rude prophet to challenge the evil that has insinuated itself into the lives of the people of God.

“Then Elijah said to all the people, ‘Come near to me.’ And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, ‘Israel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:30-40

Denomination: Baptist

The Next Generation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 8, 2013

The Christian, and especially the elder of the church, is engaged in a lifelong campaign. He must prepare the next generation to enter into the conflict.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

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

We Cannot Worship Without Gratitude

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 11, 2015

Gratitude is required if we will worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

"You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

But Contemporary Music Brings People To Jesus! Right?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2015

A consideration of the role of worship in salvation, focusing especially on how we worship.

“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, ‘By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’ Thus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Competent Wife/Woman-Part 5 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 9, 2015

5 of ? The writer of Proverbs detailed a successful marriage from the standpoint of a competent wife. A wife’s competence completes a successful marriage. Who is a competent wife? A competent wife/woman...

A COMPETENT WIFE/Woman-part 5—Proverbs 31:10-31 Attention: The writer of Proverbs detailed a successful marriage from the standpoint of a competent wife. A wife’s competence completes a successful marriage. Who is a competent wife? What makes/characterizes a competent ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 31:10-31

Denomination: Baptist

Making Friends With Unrighteous Money Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Jesus instructs through a parable how those who follow Him are to be stewards of all they possess.

“Jesus also said to the disciples, ‘There was a rich man who had a manager and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, “What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

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

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

To Timothy, My Beloved Child Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2015

Weighing the salutation of Paul's Second Letter to Timothy to discover hidden gems.

“To Timothy, my beloved child: “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” [1] We tend to rush past the introductions and greetings of the letters included in the canon of Scripture. Perhaps we modern believers imagine that we know all there is to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:2

Denomination: Baptist