Sermons on Hold Firm:

Teachers And Wannabes Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 23, 2013

Not everyone who claims to be a teacher has received appointment from God.

“Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.” [1] Ultimately, it is not the one who is the most polished speaker who ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

What To Do About Cranks

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 17, 2010

Divisive people, like divisive doctrine, harms the people of God. Failure to address divisive people ensures that the church is hindered in her labours.

“As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Harry Ironsides was quoted as saying, “The brightest light draws the most moths.” He was referring to cranks, ...read more

Scripture: Titus 3:10-11

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

Becoming A Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 17, 2017

A study of Proverbs 7, and the danger of sexual immorality.

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 7:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

When The Elder Sins Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2014

Elders are to be honoured for their labour. However, elders are to be held accountable before the congregation to discharge their appointment in a faithful manner.

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 30, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

God Means What He Says! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 18, 2017

God's commands are to be obeyed. We excuse disobedience at the threat of divine judgement.

“An old prophet lived in Bethel. And his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told to their father the words that he had spoken to the king. And their father said to them, ‘Which way did he go?’ And his sons showed him the way that the man of God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 13:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Polluting The God Of Heaven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 12, 2025

Our service to the Lord must be guided by His Spirit and offered to glorify Him.

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Seeing God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2016

Familiarity with God can result is treating Him with casual disregard leading to judgement.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Impossible Prayer Answered

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 1, 2018

A study in the book of Genesis 24: 1 – 67

Genesis 24: 1 – 67 An Impossible Prayer Answered 24 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will make you swear ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Desiring A Noble Task Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2013

Those who seek eldership, provided they are motivated by divine call, desire a noble task.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” [1] Few things give me greater pleasure than seeing God raise up heralds of holiness. I taught preacher boys in Texas for a brief period. Throughout the years of my service before the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Pastoral Personal Conduct

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 16, 2013

Timothy is instructed in how he is to conduct his life as a minister of Christ. Thus, each servant of the Master is taught how he should conduct his life and ministry.

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Message 15 - 1thessalonians Chapter 5:20-21 – Do Not Despise Prophecies But Test Everything Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jan 7, 2023

This is an important message looking at the building up of the church and the ministry of teaching and comfort. We look at what prophecy meant in the New Testament days. Whatever gift God gave you MUST be used for His glory.

MESSAGE 15 - 1THESSALONIANS CHAPTER 5:20-21 – DO NOT DESPISE PROPHECIES BUT TEST EVERYTHING {{1Thessalonians 5 v 20-21: “Do not despise prophetic utterances, but examine everything carefully. Hold fast to that which is good.” (NASB) [A]. INTRODUCTION: Verse 20 is another very small verse, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 14:1-4, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Live In The Peace Of Christ (Advent Peace) Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 1, 2025

Advent is the season where the Church intentionally remembers that Christ came into a violent, divided, restless world as the Prince of Peace. Every generation searches for peace — world peace, inner peace, peace of mind — yet peace remains elusive.

Go! And Live in the Peace of Christ (Advent Peace) Romans 5:1 (NLT): “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Psalm 119:165 (NLT): “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2, Psalm 119:165, Psalm 37:23-24, Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 14:27, John 1:1, Romans 5:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:14, Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 10:9, John 19:30  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Set Your Feet Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 24, 2019

1st Peter talks about holiness and says we should "set our hope on the grace." What does that mean and how can we know when we've done it?

Henry Ward Beecher was a fiery preacher in the 1800’s and was a strong opponent of slavery. Early in his life, there’s a story about how he became the kind of man that he did. When he was a boy, there was a story about something that happened at school. According to the story… his teacher asked ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ