Sermons on Incarceration:

Alive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2013

What does it mean to believers to say that Christ is alive forevermore?

“[Jesus] laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” [1] On one occasion, returning from a fishing trip I had stopped for gas. As the attendant filled the tank, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Servant Of Christ Jesus

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 27, 2013

The responsibility of the pulpit to promote godliness in the Community of Faith is explored

“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” [1] Godliness looms large in the thinking of the Apostle. The term “godliness” occurs fifteen ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6

Denomination: Baptist

Excluded From The Celestial City

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2018

Everybody talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin' there. The Word of God is quite clear that many will be excluded from Heaven. The message is a plea to those who are casual about God to avoid this condemnation.

“[Christ, seated on His throne] said to [John], ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Uprooting Bitterness Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

This message continues the discussion of bitterness - its cause and cure.

Future Focus Present Faithfulness Series Pt 11 “Uprooting Bitter Roots 4” Hebrews identifies three deadly infections that critically cripple the church. God calls the entire Christian community to guard against their spread in the community. 1. Guard against anyone falling short of God’s enabling ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

In The Enemies' Court

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 15, 2018

The first chapter of Daniel establishes that God is the focus of the Book. God reigns over the nation and over the individual. His sovereignty is central to every event that is recorded.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Recharge

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 21, 2012

1) The Spirit’s Power (Ephesians 3:14-16) 2) The Son’s Power (Ephesians 3:17a), 3) The Power to Grasp & to Know (Ephesians 3:17b–19a), 4) The Power to be Filled with God’s Fullness (Ephesians 3:19b), 5) Doxology: Praising the Empowering God (Ephesians 3:2

Currently in Ontario there is a great controversy over the cancelation of a Mississauga power plant. It seems that the cancelation of the contract, cost Ontario taxpayers over $190 million dollars with nothing to show for it. Many have speculated that this was a political move to secure votes in a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21

Denomination: Other

"Let Your Light Shine" Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on May 3, 2008

Have an impact on society through the 1) Presupposition of the world’s corruption and darkness, the 2) Plan for believers’ godly dominion in the world, the 3) Problem of the danger of failure, and the 4) Purpose of glorifying God.

Chuck Colson recently gave an interesting scenario: “Imagine the following social experiment: You divide up (people) into two groups. Those who agreed to live by traditional moral values live in certain (locations). Those who reject traditional values take up residence in other (locations) that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Other

"When Standing Alone..." Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 6, 2017

Christians who pursue honouring Christ can anticipate standing alone against the enemies of Christ. How shall the child of God react when compelled to stand alone, without even a fellow saint to stand with him or her?

“At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of "nice" Will Be The Death Of You

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2019

The Gospel of Christ calls us to live boldly, not safely. God calls His people to stand firm in this holy Faith rather than seeking to make people like them.

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Uprooting Bitter Roots 4 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 14, 2018

This messages continues the exploration of the second deadly virus infecting the church - bitterness. This message focuses on the cure.

“Uprooting Bitter Roots 4” Hebrews identifies three deadly infections that critically cripple the church. God calls the entire Christian community to guard against their spread in the community. 1. Guard against anyone falling short of God’s enabling grace 2. Guard against bitter roots I. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-9, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

For This Purpose I Was Born Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2018

Jesus' testimony before Pilate spoke of the purpose of His coming. Though we speak of joy and peace in Christ, it is essential that He came to bring salvation. This He has done through presenting His life as a sacrifice. Those who believe are ushered into His Kingdom.

“Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Remember Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 26, 2015

In our service to the Lord, some things must always be borne in mind. Remember Jesus Christ is perhaps the most important truth to hold in mind for each Christian.

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!” [1] We have just come through the Christmas Season. We are poised on the cusp of a new year. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Live As Free People

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 29, 2013

Anticipating Canada Day [and Independence Day], I invite the people of God to think what it means to live as "free people."

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” [1] Being free and living as one who is free are two entirely different concepts. People who have been incarcerated for extended periods may have difficulty adjusting to life ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Too Much Religion In The Wrong Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 12, 2019

Religion is the expression of one's faith put into practice. For many professed Christians, religion is all they have, because they don't have the faith of Christ the Lord. Too much religion will tend to lead us astray. Faith will lead us to Christ.

“When [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Did The Tribulation Just Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2020

In these times of lockdown, some have begun to imagine that the Great Tribulation just began. Rather than focusing on such idle speculation, the Word of God would encourage us to shine brightly in difficult times to turn many to righteousness.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist