Sermons on Outward Focus:

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

This Worthless Food

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 28, 2022

Complaints against the Lord contaminate the entire assembly, necessitating God's discipline if we fail to practise self-discipline.

“From Mount Hor [Israel] set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 21:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Maturity Is Missional Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on May 29, 2022

It's one thing to complain and it's another thing to be part of the solution. Nehemiah says, “God, what are you doing here? I want to be part of the solution.”

Well I am glad to be here. A lot of anticipation waiting for this day. I'm grateful to be with you folks. I just want to welcome those folks that are online. Thank you for being with us today. We're grateful that you're joining online. I want to ask you to do something. In the YouTube ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Galatians 5 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 5, 2022

Freedom in Christ opens up the one thing that helps us to keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians Part 5 – “Be free and live by the Spirit!” Thesis: Freedom in Christ opens up the one thing that helps us to keep in step with the Spirit. Opening thought about chapter 5: Paul tells the Galatia church to be free, to remember the one thing which is “faith is to express itself through ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-26, Galatians 3:25, 2 Corinthians 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enough Is Enough Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 13, 2022

The same God that heard and answered Elijah's prayers, the same God that brought the rain, is the same God that is with us today. What a marvelous joy the foundation before us upon which we can rebuild the altars in our heart, that He is with us every step of the way.

Is Religion Good for Society? When preparing this message, I came across a survey conducted by the NCLS (or National Church Life Survey) that was released in November 2019. This survey has been conducted among 20 different denominations every five years since 1991, and surveys several thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:19-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yes Means Yes - James 5:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2022

Let your yes be yes, otherwise you will be condemned? Is James saying you will go to hell if you tell a lie? Haven't all people told lies?

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. Introduction Fraud According to one criminologist, the #1 crime in America today is fraud. I don’t know how many convictions there ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12, Matthew 5:37

Some Things Need To Be Cultivated!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2022

To honour Christ, we are responsible to cultivate those graces that reveal His presence in us.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Confusion - Mark 8:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 19, 2023

The question, “Who do you say I am” is important, but it’s not everything. Equally important is the question, “What does the way you listen to the hard words of Christ say about who you really believe he is?"

Mark 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29 "But what about you?" he ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-34, Matthew 16:13-24, Luke 9:18-23

The High Cost Of Sin Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2023

Sin has infected the race. It contaminates our lives, ultimately ensuring our death. The Son of God was born to offer His life as a sacrifice, taking the sin of all mankind upon Himself. This is the neglected message of Christmas.

“To the woman [God] said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’ “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Finders Weepers Losers Keepers - Mark 8:34-38 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2023

What does it mean to deny yourself and take up your cross? And how does it help you in your daily battle with sin?

Excerpt #1: You are a radical, fundamentalist, extremist Christian or you are a non-Christian. Excerpt #2: People title this passage, "The Cost of Discipleship," but it could just as well be called, "The Cost of Non-Discipleship." Jesus wants us to compare costs. Excerpt #3: ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 9:18-26

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2023

God's curse pronounced against the serpent gave hope to the fallen pair who had rebelled against their Creator. That hope is fulfilled in the salvation offered in Christ the Lord.

“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

Not Your Name; My Name - Mark 9:36-41 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

Do you long for a greater experience of the presence of God? In this passage Jesus teaches how to attain that while bringing honor to Jesus and accruing eternal reward.

Mark 9:33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:36-41, Matthew 1:5, Luke 9:48-50

Don’t Go To Hell - Mark 9:42-50 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 31, 2023

This message will alert you to the worst dangers imaginable and show you how to avoid them.

https://account.sermoncentral.com/contributions/sermons/edit/292893 Mark 9:41 I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. 42 "And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to turn away, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:42-50

What To Do When Your Culture Is Destroying Itself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2024

Western culture cannot sustain itself if it continues as it has during the past several decades. How shall those who follow Christ respond when the culture in which we live moves inexorably toward self-destruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Thankful Prayer - Philippians 4:5-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

Three strategies for fighting the bad kind of anxiety

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5-7