Sermons on Excluding:

Practising Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2017

The message is a study of the conduct of the assembly at the Lord's Table

“In the following instructions, I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Sarah Laughed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 7, 2022

Sarah Laughed in unbelief, but God transformed her unbelief, changing her laughter to the expression of joy. God longs to transform the one who is honest before Him.

“[The angels charged with the destruction of Sodom] said to [Abraham], ‘Where is Sarah your wife?’ And he said, ‘She is in the tent.’ The LORD said, ‘I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Some Things Need To Die!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2022

The Follower of Christ must take responsibility for his/her life, putting to death those characteristics identified with the flesh that Christ may be seen shining through the Christian's life.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

What In Hell Do You Want?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 23, 2022

Eternity without God should lead us to shout, "There is nothing in hell that I want!" Yet, far too many of those living about us act as though there is something wonderful about hell. If that were not so, wouldn't we seek to please the Lord? There is nothing in hell that I want.

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. But at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus whose body was covered with sores, who longed to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. In addition, the dogs came and licked his sores. “Now the poor ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Baptist

How Can Anything That Feels So Right Be So Wrong?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 12, 2021

A Valentine's Day message emphasising the sacred nature of marriage.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

Forgiveness For The Foremost Sinner

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 21, 2022

Can God forgive you of the worst sin you've ever committed? The message explores the grace of God, not to excuse our sin, but to encourage us to look to God for grace as we turn from our sin to walk with Him.

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Is Treated As "cheap!" Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2021

Can God accept a murderer? He accepted Saul; and He has accepted many of us who were once filled with bitterness toward others. Those who turn from their evil to receive Christ as Master over life will be accepted by the Living God.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Hidden Talents

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Mar 30, 2021

This sermon unpacks the parable of the talents and how our God-given talents are to be creatively used in various ways to advance his Kingdom building agenda.

OUTLINE 1.INTRODUCTION - OUTREACH DEFINED 2. THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS – OVERVIEW 3. APPLICATION – LESSONS REGARDING USING OUR “TALENTS” A) God owns everything so everything we have is on loan from Him B) God gives talents according to our ability C) God expects you to use them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Would You Not Join The Church? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 3, 2020

Christians are expected to unite with a congregation of the faithful in order to fulfil the ministry God assigns each follower of Christ.

“Those who received his word were baptised, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

Reservation For Two [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 11, 2020

The message is a study of the nature of the Lord's Supper as encouragement to worship. We who worship the Saviour are encouraged to see that He has made reservations for two--the Bridegroom and the Bride.

“I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Gospel Partnership - Philippians 1:1-5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2021

The solution to disunity caused by suffering is joy from gospel partnership

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-5

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2022

The birth of John, known as the Baptist, is the appropriate beginning of the story of the coming of the Christ to present His life as a sacrifice for sinful man.

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2023

God's curse pronounced against the serpent gave hope to the fallen pair who had rebelled against their Creator. That hope is fulfilled in the salvation offered in Christ the Lord.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist