Sermons on joel osteen:

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

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

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

The Forgotten Element In Modern Marriage

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 11, 2017

A call for purity in marriage for Christians.

“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” [1] Marriage is under assault in this day. I sincerely doubt that the assault is as successful as some might imagine; nevertheless, marriage is under a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:4

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

Departure From The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 19, 2013

Apostasy is an ongoing threat to the faithful. It is a process rather than an event.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

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

Amazed By Him Series

Contributed by Jimmy Seibert on Dec 26, 2014

We become what we behold. As believers, let's make it our aim to behold the person of Jesus that we may become like Him.

Amazed Part 2: Amazed by Him Preached by Jimmy Seibert August 31, 2014 I love this time of year [when Baylor students return to Waco], because it reminds me of my own college days, coming to college and all the excitement, and all the life change that happens. But I wanted to take you back ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Harvest Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 30, 2013

All who proclaim salvation in Christ must be 1) Content with the Lord’s Provision (Luke 10:2-4), 2) Faithful to the Lord’s Message (Luke 10:5–9), and 3) Diligent to declare Judgment (Luke 10:10–12).

For those who were eagerly awaiting the latest birth to the British royal family, there was an unusual stealth campaign. Members of the family and staff were tight lipped as to the gender and name of the child until birth. The announcement of the birth was through a combination of posted notices ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:1-12

Denomination: Other

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