Sermons on Gently:

Wrong About Authority

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2024

When Jesus was challenged to name His authority to teach, he exposed His interlocutors as incapable of assessing His answer even were He to deign give it.

“When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’ Jesus answered them, ‘I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:23-27

Denomination: Baptist

Honor Your Wife - 1 Peter 3:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 7, 2025

Strive to understand your wife, especially areas of weakness. She is more sensitive, which makes her more vulnerable to pain. LISTEN to her and understand what it is like for her. And honor her status as a fellow heir of salvation. This will result in unhindered prayer.

1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way live with your wives according to knowledge as a weaker, feminine vessel, showing honor as also coheirs of the grace of life so that nothing will hinder your prayers. Introduction There is a movie titled “What Women Want,” and the main character of that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:7

Yours Is The Kingdom Of Heaven - Matthew 5:3b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

This message explores what the kingdom of God is, and what it means that it belongs to you.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Saul To Paul Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on May 19, 2024

Saul was a religious fanatical terrorist to Christians – he was the assassin of any who preached and stood for Jesus – and he thought he was doing this for God.

The Saul who became Paul! Scripture: Acts 7:54-58 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Theology Of Ministry Final Paper

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Feb 10, 2025

Erskine Theological Seminary DR 901Z Theological Foundations for Ministry, May 8, 2023

This paper expresses my mature theology of ministry. It will make use of my previous papers on ministry, leadership, and integrity. I will explain how I view my ministry in light of the challenges of the contemporary Church and Culture. I will answer the following questions: What is the task of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Vineyard

Shepherd The Flock Part 2 - 1 Peter 5:2a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 11, 2025

Is there any job description more important than for pastors? Peter lays it down for us.

1 Peter 5:1-10 Therefore to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God's flock that is under your care, overseeing--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2

Renew Your Passion For Ministry! - 1 Peter 5:2b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 13, 2025

The New Testament has three titles for pastors--each one pointing to a crucial part of his job description.

1 Peter 5:1-10 Therefore to the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Shepherd God's flock that is under your care, overseeing--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2

Marks Of The True Church: Mission Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2024

Jesus was sent on mission by the Father. In like manner, the Son of God sends His disciples on mission. And He ensures we will succeed in this mission by giving us His Spirit.

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them ...read more

Scripture: John 17:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

My Hiding Place - Psalm 32:6-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 3, 2025

In order to find closeness with God you must seek with all your heart. Why does God make it so hard to find him? If he wants us to be near him, why not make it easy?

Psalm 32:6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the flood of mighty waters rise, they shall not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah. Introduction About eight or nine ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:6-7

And It Shall Come To Pass...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2025

Peter cited Joel's prophetic statement in explanation of the Spirit's descent on the Day of Pentecost. He saw this prophecy as the promise of what still lay ahead for all who follow the Lord.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. “I will show ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What To Look For In A Leader Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Feb 23, 2023

The most effective leaders are compelled by a PURPOSE that is GREATER than themselves.

What To Look For In A Leader Acts 27:1-44 We are only 19 days from Christmas, which is exciting. But did you know we are only 11 months from the presidential election? How exciting (NOT!) That means 11 months of political ads, debates, polling data, and pundits pontificating about potential ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Saved? Are You Sure?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2023

Jesus warns that there exists people who appear to be serving Him, though they are lost. Therefore, He challenges each person to ensure that He has been born from above.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

This Ain't No Joke!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 13, 2023

What will be required for you as a follower to Christ to believe His commands? Receiving Him as Master over life leads us to accept His commands.

“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

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