Sermons on Openly:

There Was Darkness Over All The Land

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 3, 2021

The rework of the Easter 2020 message, which was not delivered. Jesus was God in the darkness as He hung on the cross, and He is God in the darkness of these evil days.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Commentary 1 John, Ch. 4 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 7, 2021

The mention of faith in 1John 3:23 had reminded the Apostle John of the danger of intellectual and moral error. After the last paragraph, the mention of God’s Spirit gave him a form to clothe the discussion of truth and falsehood in its human manifestations.

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY COMMENTARY 1 JOHN, CH. 4 Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. King James Bible Testing the Spirits 1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

If The Foundations Are Destroyed...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 10, 2021

In tumultuous times, how shall the righteous live? The Psalmist has given us godly counsel that must be applied to our lives.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? “The LORD is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

That We Do Justly (Lesson 1) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Jun 24, 2020

To establish that God has shown us His righteousness and given us commandments to obey. They are: to do justly, to love mercy, and, to walk humbly before Him. This lesson describes the evils and wickedness in high places! It also provides hope to our Nation during this pandemic.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. That We Do Justly E. Remarks. 1. This is lesson 1, in the sermon-series entitled: “What doth God Require?" Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, and both ministered in the Southern Kingdom (Judah). The name Micah means, "Who is like Jehovah?" The theme of Micah ...read more

Scripture: Micah 6:6-8, Matthew 22:37-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Motivational Atrocity-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Mar 9, 2019

1 of ? Amos declared God’s wrath to be justified/warranted due to nationally motivated atrocities. Why/When/How do nationally motivated atrocities move God to anger & retribution? National atrocity motivates God’s retribution when that nation endorses...

MOTIVATIONAL ATROCITY-I—Amos 1:3--2:5 OR--Indefensible National Atrocities/Pride Attention: The Pastor’s Cat… A pastor had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his yard & then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not ...read more

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

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

Can God Bless A Self-Willed Man? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2016

The message endeavours to explore the tragic life of Samson, a man given to pursue his own will despite the rich blessings of God and the call to serve as a Judge of Israel.

“Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a prostitute, and he went in to her. The Gazites were told, ‘Samson has come here.’ And they surrounded the place and set an ambush for him all night at the gate of the city. They kept quiet all night, saying, ‘Let us wait till the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Go Away As Well?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2015

When adherents and members leave the fellowship of a congregation, how should we respond? We find guidance for our response in the actions of the Master.

JOHN 6:60-71 DO YOU WANT TO GO AWAY AS WELL? “When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ describing Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Baptist

A Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2015

Believers are urged to see their lives as dedicated to service to the Saviour rather than merely being lived for their own interests.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” [1] Suffering well is a ministry in itself! Note that I did not say that suffering is a ministry. Few of us tolerate suffering ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

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

The Advantage Of A Godly Home Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 15, 2015

Children raised in a godly environment are advantaged in learning of Christ the Lord.

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” [1] The way of salvation is taught by godly people; but the Spirit of God must make the dead individual alive in Christ. We cannot ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

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

Hey, Who You Looking At Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Apr 17, 2015

a study of chapter 3 verses 1 through 23

1 Corinthians 3: 1 – 23 Hey, Who You Looking At 1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

An Old Commandment That Is Now New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2014

We may either love one another or hate one another; there is no halfway in this situation. God calls us to love. Failure to love is hatred.

“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11

Denomination: Baptist