Sermons on Olive Press:

Appointed, Not Hired Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Elders (Overseers) are appointed by God. They are not hired to do a job; they are appointed to serve the One who appoints and to serve His holy people.

“I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.” [1] His face was red and his eyes were narrow slits as he raged, “We hired you, and we can fire you.” I was equally determined as I asserted with a firm, steady voice, “No one hired me; God appointed me.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

Remembering You Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2015

Comfort in the dark days come from remembering especially the love and the commitment of those with whom we have shared in the battles of the Faith.

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-5

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

Counterfeit Christ Of Alcohol And Drugs Series

Contributed by Brandon Nealy on Sep 2, 2014

A Christ centered, hopeful look at addiction

The Counterfeit Christ of Alcohol & Drugs Idols of the Heart By Brandon Nealy Bible Text: Proverbs 23:19-35 Preached on: Sunday, May 15, 2011 Northside Baptist Church 800 Jefferson Blvd Lafayette, LA 70501 Website: www.wearechristchurch.com Online Sermons: www.sermonaudio.com/brandonnealy Well, ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:19-35

Denomination: Baptist

How To Thrive In Persecution

Contributed by Richard Tow on Feb 29, 2016

Dr. Tow shares six keys to thriving in persecution. Persecution is discussed in context of personal struggle as well as through the lens of our cultural climate.

How To Thrive In Persecution 07-05-15 (www.LifeChurchSpringfield.org) In Matt 5:10-15 Jesus said, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:1-37

Denomination: Charismatic

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When Life Is Hard? Series

Contributed by Gerry Cheney on Jul 22, 2014

When you get blindsided by life, when things get overwhelming, and you find yourself surrounded by pain or terrifying circumstances, how do you handle it? This message seeks to begin to answer those questions.

Where is God When Life is Hard? Part I: Where is God? INTRODUCTION: When you get blindsided by life… how do you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-26

Denomination: Vineyard

Prepared To Suffer For Righteousness (1 Peter 4:1-6) Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 2, 2014

Exposition of 1 Peter 4:1-6

Prepared to Suffer for Righteousness Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men Enter Heaven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2019

Death is inevitable for those now living. The sole exception will be should the Lord return. Christ offers life for all who receive Him. Our responsibility is to prepare for the inevitable, trusting Him.

“The other [thief] rebuked [the first], saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:40-43, Acts 7:59-60

Denomination: Baptist

An Admirable Scheme? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 6, 2017

A study of the book of Acts 21: 1 – 30

Acts 21: 1 – 30 An admirable scheme? 21 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Weaponised Narratives

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2019

We must guard against creating a narrative as a mask of the truth of God's Word.

“If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Party Crasher

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2019

Christ receives sinners. Just so, the assemblies of our Lord should be noted for welcoming those who are identified as sinners, since we each were once estranged from the Lord until He welcomed us.

“One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Seeing God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2016

Familiarity with God can result is treating Him with casual disregard leading to judgement.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Where Our Hope Lies

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 3, 2013

The good servant of Christ Jesus must always remember that our hope lies in God who is Saviour of all people, especially of those who believe.

“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. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Justified Fools For Christ-2 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 14, 2015

2 of 8. Paul admonished the Corinthian Church regarding his apostolic ministry. The church must regard apostles rightly...as those who are fools for Christ! But How/When are these Justified? Fools for Christ are justified thru their...

JUSTIFIED FOOLS For CHRIST-II—1Corinthians 4:1-21 Attention: Back in the day, before I had accepted Christ & before the days of digitized anything—1975—I had a Foghat[the name of a rock band] album that pictured a young long-haired, bushy mustached, bereted man(the drummer for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist