Sermons on Irritate:

At The Intersection Of Expectation And Disappointment

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2019

John was disillusioned when he questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah. Studying this incident will assist us to avoid becoming disillusioned in Christ.

“When John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

The Pastor Is The Church's Theologian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2015

Pastor's are responsible to prepare themselves to present theology, making it a joy to the flock.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

For Christ's Sake?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 7, 2015

The life of the disciples must be lived for Christ's sake and not for the disciple's comfort.

“[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

First Share Of The Crops Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2015

Rewards come only after we work. The Apostle is encouraging those who are called by the Name of the Son of God to work diligently.

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” [1] Paul has presented a variety of images to illustrate the strong spiritual life expected of those who will follow the Master. As we saw in a previous message, the emphasis in these verbal pictures the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Where Our Unconverted Children Are Headed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2018

Should we fail to reach our children, instructing them in the fear of the Lord, they will break our hearts and turn from pursuing God. The message is a plea for Christian parents to reach their children with the love of Christ.

“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. And ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:7-13, Judges 18:27-31

Denomination: Baptist

Gideon Prudently Pacifies The Offended Ephramites Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 20, 2019

They were angry with Gideon because they were left out and did not share in the glory. Gideon tactfully gave them the “soft answer” that healed the wounds and prevented division. Better to do that than to start another war.

Chapter 27 Gideon Prudently Pacifies the Offended Ephramites [Judges 8.1-8.4] Scripture 1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. 2 And he said unto them, ...read more

Scripture: Judges 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus And Nicodemus

Contributed by Claude Alexander on Jun 19, 2018

The interview between Jesus and Nicodemus. You must be born again.

Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-15 One of the greatest lies that Satan has foisted on the human race is that religion can save you. By “religion,” I mean adherence to the beliefs and practices of a religion in the hope that your performance will gain you right standing with God. Through out history ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-15, John 2:23-25

Denomination: Assembly Of God

This Light And Momentary Marriage Series

Contributed by J. D. Greear on Jul 11, 2013

Marriage is not ultimate; it’s just a symbol of something ultimate.

We’ll start at end where Paul sums up his teaching on marriage 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:31-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

That's Why We Are Not Discouraged

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2020

Stress and Disappointment come into every life. Christians are provided a powerful response to such stressors, and this powerful response is revealed in Paul's review of his own life.

“We have this treasure in clay jars to show that its extraordinary power comes from God and not from us. In every way we’re troubled but not crushed, frustrated but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed. We are always carrying around the death of Jesus in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Healing Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Jun 16, 2020

The miracles performed by Peter were verifiable and immediate

In my research last week I ran across a little piece of verse called “if.” IF If you can live without caffeine, If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Here Lord: Take It! - 1 Peter 2:21-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 27, 2024

Peter describes Jesus’ example not from his own memory but from Isaiah 53. Scripture is more powerful than eye-witness testimony.

1 Peter 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Your Choice: Suffer, Or ... - 1 Peter 4:17-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 7, 2025

The reason we must glorify God as Christians rather than being ashamed is because it is time for judgment to begin with God's house.

1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice to the degree that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:17-19

Under The Mighty Hand Of God - 1 Peter 5:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 24, 2025

Symptoms of pride are disobedience, human wisdom, self-sufficiency, burnout, self-condemnation, over-indulgence, rebellion against authority, unforgiveness, and demanding to know the hidden things.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6

From Anxiety To Peace - 1 Peter 5:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 24, 2025

Anxiety is a gift from God designed for a good purpose. But it is dangerous.

Peter’s reason for why we can cast our cares on God is the fact that God cares for us. You can offload a task onto someone else, but the anxiety about it stays on your plate until you are convinced that person is 1) competent and 2) that he cares about it as much as you do. This message will help ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7