Sermons on Joel Osteen:

Competing According To The Rules Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2015

Divine rewards demand that we conduct our lives according to God's rules provided in His Word.

I consider the initial verses of this chapter to be among the most significant verses of the book. They are, as well, perhaps the most neglected verses of the missive which Paul wrote. I confess that I am ploughing quite a narrow furrow in these expositions. Note that the Apostle appeals to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Signposts To Paradise

Contributed by Thomas Swope on May 10, 2018

A study in the book of Leviticus 23: 1 – 44

Leviticus 23: 1 – 44 Signposts to Paradise 23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the Lord, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts. 3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Confidence In An Uncertain World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2018

The Christian knows intuitively that he/she belongs to God and that the world about them is under the sway of the evil one. The message explores some of the parameters of this knowledge.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” [1] The New York Stock Exchange hits a new high every week, sometimes even breaking previous trading records several times in a week. Investor exuberance does make some potential traders nervous; they wonder ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Have A Title? Or A Testimony?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2018

The believer in the Risen Christ has a powerful testimony. We need to be encouraged to use what God has given each of us to the praise of His glory.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [1] The disciples were just like us—they wanted power, especially power over other disciples. They were convinced that if only they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

But Contemporary Music Brings People To Jesus! Right?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2015

A consideration of the role of worship in salvation, focusing especially on how we worship.

“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, ‘By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’ Thus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25

Denomination: Baptist

Struggling To Believe Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2021

Each Christian has likely struggled with doubts at one time or another. God's Word is given not only to reveal the Father, but to encourage us that we are accepted in the Beloved Son as we believe Him.

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Unknown Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2017

None of us know with certainty what lies ahead after we are gathered to Christ. However, Paul encourages believers to look forward, preparing ourselves for what is surely coming.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Love? Or Lust?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 13, 2016

Christians must distinguish between love and lust. The message is a study of a young man who failed to distinguish between love and lust, bringing great sorrow upon the nation and ultimately condemning himself to a violent death.

“Absalom, David’s son, had a beautiful sister, whose name was Tamar. And after a time Amnon, David’s son, loved her. And Amnon was so tormented that he made himself ill because of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Hymn Without A Melody Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2016

Considering the hymnody of the faithful, what is the meaning of the hymn Paul cites in this particular text? How does this build the saints today?

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” [1] I must believe that the Apostle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

On The Death Of Heroes

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 8, 2014

Encouragement to memorialise the sacrifice of those who serve the nation.

“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. “You mountains of Gilboa, let there be ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Denomination: Baptist

Wounded! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 19, 2020

The message is a reflection on the sacrifice of the Christ--why it was necessary for Him to be pierced and why it was required that He be crushed. The message is a reminder that our peace results from His suffering in our place.

“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” [1] Midst the ubiquitous celebrations of this Christmas Season, as the streets of our cities are decorated with colourful banners ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Baptist

Revival Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 31, 2020

How God uses 1) The Preaching of the Word (Ezekiel 37:1-6), 2) The Prayer of God’s Servant (Ezekiel 37:7-9), and 3) The Power of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 37:5-14) to accomplish Revival.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Other

The Pattern Of Sound Words Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2015

Paul provides instructions to ensure continuation of the Faith from generation to generation.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” [1] Seminarians are required to study systematic theology. The required courses consist of in-depth studies of the several doctrines that define the Faith of Christ the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:13

Denomination: Baptist

You Don't Have To Be A Star To Be In My Show

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2021

Recognition of those who advance the cause of Christ through quiet service within the assembly of the righteous.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

Fulfilled? Or Frustrated?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 30, 2022

Whether we live a life that is fulfilling or a life that always leaves us frustrated, is dependent upon our obedience to the revealed will of the Lord.

DEUTERONOMY 5:32-33; 6:24-25 FULFILLED? OR FRUSTRATED? “You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:24-25, Deuteronomy 5:33

Denomination: Baptist