Sermons on Openess:

Does The Virgin Birth Matter? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 2, 2017

The virgin birth is necessary if prophecy is to be fulfilled. Satan sought to usurp the place of God, appropriating worship to himself. Though he did deceive our first mother, God intervened to ensure that he could not destroy mankind.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Child Is Born, A Son Is Given Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2014

Exploring reasons for the birth of the Christ.

“To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [1] Can any text be more intimately associated with Christmas than the text now before ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

The God Of Creation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2014

What can we learn of God from the opening statement of the Bible?

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” [1] Great philosophers are distinguished by asking great questions, whereas the merely curious ask meaningless questions. For instance, some shallow individuals may ask what they imagine is a profound question, “Why is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Is A Boring Preacher

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2009

The message of the preacher blessed by God will disturb the casual, even as it glorifies the Master. Contrary to every expectation, the message presented by the servants of the devil is boring, generating no excitement and no reaction.

“When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens In Vegas Won’t Stay In Vegas

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2009

Sin in the life of a child of God will be exposed by the Father who loves us too much to permit us to hide our sin.

“In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua’s daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. And when Tamar was told, ‘Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,’ she took off her widow’s garments ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Henceforth

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 11, 2012

It is important to have a good start in the Christian life; it is vital to have a good finish.

“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 will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

God Who Dwells In Unapproachable Light Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 14, 2014

A study of God so that we may worship in Spirit and truth.

“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Responsible For The Needy?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2014

Paul provides guidelines for congregational support for those who are needy and vulnerable.

“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus In The Dark - Mark 15:33-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 27, 2024

While Jesus was on the cross, darkness came upon the whole land for 3 hours. What happened in that darkness?

Mark 15:33 At the sixth hour darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Darkness God Has His Say We’re studying ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-34, Matthew 27:45-46, Luke 23:44-45

Slaughtering The Innocent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2016

A homily considering the choice we must make when Christ comes near.

“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

True Colours

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2014

Examining the bright distinction between Holy God and fallen mankind.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

The Name Of Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 13, 2014

The Titles given Messiah through Isaiah reveal His deity and His character.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [1] “His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Unforgettable Perfume - Mark 14:1-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 27, 2024

Is it really a good thing for this woman to spend a whole year’s wages on a single, momentary act of worship? And if so, why perfume? Wouldn’t there be some more practical gifts that could be given with that amount of money?

Mark 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot." 3 While he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-8, Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:1-8

Six Signs Of Sleepiness - Mark 14:1-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 27, 2024

Why do so many people crash their cars because they fell asleep at the wheel? It’s because sleep comes upon you so gradually that you don’t realize when you’re crossing the threshold from being awake to being asleep. It’s the same spiritually.

Mark 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot." 3 While he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-9, Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:1-8

Ephesus' Operations Order (Full) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Feb 18, 2021

To establish that the Christian must prepare to be “fit-to-fight.” Paul gives the saints at Ephesus their operations order to engage the forces of evil successfully. It outlines the enemy situation, rules of engagement, and equipment safeties (protections).

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. The Enemy Situation 2. The Engagement Strategies 3. The Equipment Safeties Remarks. 1. In this lesson today, we will discuss the theme: “Ephesus’ Operations Order.” This lesson will deal with the saint’s need to understand the enemy situation in this fight; the battle ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ