Sermons on Holding Pen:

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Hallelujah!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 27, 2021

Praising God in this day is preparation for our eternal occupation of praising the Living God. Our praise will no longer be a labour, but a source of eternal joy.

“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Chastisement And Compassion Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2024

Even in the midst of national judgement, the follower of Christ the Lord is comforted by the hope Christ gives.

“This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Are those words familiar to you? Do they bring back memories from your childhood? I don’t know if your dad ever spoke those words to you, but my dad said these words more frequently than should ever have been necessary. And I readily admit that I gave him ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Stone That Was Never Thrown

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2024

How do we, as followers of the Christ, respond to sin when it is exposed to us?

“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Incomplete Message

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 26, 2024

God is the central character in the Book of Job. We discover what is lacking in our own lives as we witness God revealing His character in this account of His dealing with one suffering saint.

“Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Battle Cry Of Love Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jan 22, 2026

Christ clarifies His expectation for the church in five ways, as seen in His examination of: 1) The Church (Revelation 2:1), 2) The Commendation (Revelation 2:2–3, 6), 3) The Concern (Revelation 2:4), 4) The Command (Revelation 2:5), and 5) The Counsel (Revelation 2:7).

Revelation 2:1-7. [2:1]"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. [2]"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Other

God Of The Amen

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2025

God stands athwart the evil that people embrace. He blesses those who endeavour to serve Him, and curses those who seek to promote themselves.

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, my servants shall eat, you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

If God Owns It All, What Am I Doing With It? Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Jun 27, 2008

God owns everything. He just asked me to manage it. God owns it, I manage it. He gives me things of which He requires of me, and this is where my responsibility comes in to do the best job of managing that I possibly can.

STEWARDSHIP: THE MISSING PIECE TO SUCCESSFUL LIVING If God Owns It All, What Am I Doing With It? Matthew 25 Dr. John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: In your sermon section this morning, we continue our theme on “Stewardship: The Missing Piece to Successful Living.” Two weeks ago, we talked about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-26, Matthew 25:1

Denomination: Wesleyan

Diversity In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2012

Leadership in the congregation is to reflect the Lord’s choice rather than seeking diversity as defined in the world.

“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 3:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Act Like Men: Integrity

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 27, 2012

Whether in the pulpit or in the pew, mature believers act and speak with integrity.

“My teaching is not mine, but His Who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on My own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is ...read more

Scripture: John 7:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

In The Presence Of The Living Christ

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 25, 2010

Christ lives. The evidence is seen in multiple ways as His people serve and worship.

REVELATION 1:12-20 IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LIVING CHRIST “I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

No Sweat!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2020

Worship, true worship, worship that honours God, flows from the Spirit of God through the life of a follower of Christ who seeks to be pure and holy. True worship requires no effort on the part of the worshipper. Rather, it is the effortless response of that one who seeks the True and Living God.

“[The priests] shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.” [1] God is concerned about the smallest facet of the lives of His children. It is not an insignificant matter to speak of the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 44:18

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Believe In God And Science? Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on May 21, 2018

How Can I Believe in God and Science? Series: How Can I Believe? Brad Bailey – May 20, 2018

How Can I Believe in God and Science? Series: How Can I Believe? Brad Bailey – May 20, 2018 Intro We are continuing in our series entitled: How Can I Believe? We are engaging the questions that can arise in the process of believing in Christ. So in the recent past weeks we have engaged the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Introduction To The Olivet Discourse - Mark 13:1-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 7, 2024

Are you obeying the command in 1 Thessalonians 4 to use the words about the end times to encourage others?

Mark 13:1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!" 2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Je-sus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:1-4, Matthew 24:1-3, Luke 21:5-7