Sermons on Happenstance:

2) Seeking Grace

Contributed by James Lyons on Mar 9, 2023

Part II

2) Seeking Grace, Ruth 1:18-2:4 We left off last week listening to Ruth’s interchange with her disheartened mother-in-law, Naomi. And we saw in Ruth 1:16-17 her incredible statement of faith. Let’s look at it again. 16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-22, Ruth 2:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

20th Sunday After Pentecost. October 11th, 2026. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 2, 2023

Year A, Proper 23.

Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, Psalm 106:19-23, Isaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 A). WHO BROUGHT ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPT. Exodus 32:1-14. The people began by saying, “Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:1). Then they changed ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, Psalm 106:19-23, Isaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23:1-6, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's In The Potter's Hands

Contributed by Kraig Pullam on Feb 17, 2014

God calls Jeremiah to speak his word to Israel & the nations.

As I prepared this message, the Spirit of God revealed to me and said to me help the people understand that ‘there is no such thing as happenstance. Nothing just happens. That I designed every individual who is connected to Me, their destiny and deliverance is in My hand. I’m sovereign. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 18:1

Denomination: Baptist

What’s In A Name Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2010

How will the child of God be known throughout eternity? The Word of God hints at the transformation and testifies to the importance of God’s knowledge of who we are.

Your name is important. Perhaps your name reveals the aspirations your parents had for you; perhaps it speaks of their honour for some other person who bore the name before you. Whatever their intention may have been in naming you as they did, your name has come to reflect your character, for ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:15, 3 John 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

God And The Wicked

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2025

God’s judgements compel the inhabitants of the world to learn righteousness! For the redeemed, His judgements encourage us while giving evidence of His love. For the wicked, His judgements cannot be understood, even when seen.

“The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

What God Has Permitted Me To See Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2025

Simeon entered the Temple just as Mary brought the Christ into the sacred precincts. Taking the Christ child into his arms, he prophesied of the reason the Christ was born.

“When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-32

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding God's Guidance Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 31, 2006

Learn with Esther how to understand and follow the invisible God through the incredible trials and challenges of life.

Understanding God’s Guidance Series: Letting God Guide You April 10, 2005 A few months ago, I decided to read and study the book of Esther. If you’ve never read this book of the bible, Esther is the story of how God used one woman to change the fate of an entire nation. However, as I read, I ...read more

Scripture: Esther 1:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Harvest Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 30, 2013

All who proclaim salvation in Christ must be 1) Content with the Lord’s Provision (Luke 10:2-4), 2) Faithful to the Lord’s Message (Luke 10:5–9), and 3) Diligent to declare Judgment (Luke 10:10–12).

For those who were eagerly awaiting the latest birth to the British royal family, there was an unusual stealth campaign. Members of the family and staff were tight lipped as to the gender and name of the child until birth. The announcement of the birth was through a combination of posted notices ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-12

Denomination: Other

How Can I Live With My Handicap?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2010

Does God care when we are unable to compete as others compete? Does it matter to Him when we are handicapped? A study of the life of an obscure man provides hope and instruction for each of us to look to God even when we are handicapped.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

And God Created Mosquitos

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 30, 2020

A study of the effects of the fall of our first parents and the ramifications for creation. The follower of Christ lives in anticipation of the restoration of all things.

“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Creation was “very good.” God Himself declared this to be the case. Yet, if in spite of citronella candles, mosquito coils, or insect repellant liberally applied to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:31

Denomination: Baptist

More Powerful Than Prison Bars

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 26, 2014

Prayer is the divine means to access the power of God.

“I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Mighty Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2017

A study of a warrior-priest noted as one of David's mighty men with encouragement for believers to emulate his life.

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Luck, Favor, And God’s Providence Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part 2 of series on Ruth How does our concept of luck relate to God's favor and providence?

Luck, Favor, and God’s Providence Ruth Part 2 Would you consider yourself a lucky person? I’m not very lucky, if my wife and I are in some kind of raffle, or door prize drawing, I never win, if we win anything its almost always her ticket. Some of you would say, Yeah, that’s ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Thankful!

Contributed by Thomas Fortini on Nov 24, 2021

What Characterizes a Christian more than ANYTHING ELSE? It is a THANKFUL SPIRIT!

Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful -NIV If you’ve been a member of New Beginning Church for any amount of time, you know that I’m real eager to jump upon the latest “Christian Fad,” but am in fact, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15

The Prophet [*] Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 2, 2021

Jesus is the Prophet of whom Moses spoke. His first advent set in motion the fulfilment of God's redemption of sinful man.

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God or see this great fire any ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 18:15-21

Denomination: Baptist