Sermons on Oversight:

In The Enemies' Court

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 15, 2018

The first chapter of Daniel establishes that God is the focus of the Book. God reigns over the nation and over the individual. His sovereignty is central to every event that is recorded.

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Judgement Day Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2021

We are called to judge ourselves, especially focusing on our motives, as we come before the Lord's Table.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

1 Timothy Chapter 3 Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Mar 13, 2024

This is a detailed study verse by verse. You will need to analyze, synthesize, and then summarize to fit your need. I have used several different sources to which I give credit.

I Timothy Chapter 3 I Tim 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (King James Version) 3:1 This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

"i Know My Rights!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2024

Jesus encourages His disciples to pray. We have a right to ask great things of God, knowing that He will do what glorifies His Name.

“[Jesus] told [the disciples] a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The World’s Most Dangerous Profession - James 3:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 23, 2021

This passage stands out because teaching is so highly valued throughout the New Testament. Why is it discouraged here? James considered himself a teacher and was teaching even as he penned these words about not many should be teachers.

James 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Introduction: We Talk a ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

Debt And The Conscientious Christian

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 28, 2023

The sensitive subject of indebtedness is addressed in the message, pointing to the universal debt that rests upon each Christian.

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” [1] Living beyond one’s means has become de rigueur in the contemporary world. It is virtually impossible to imagine the average family in this day living within their means—living without ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:8

Denomination: Baptist

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Happened To Modest Dress?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 5, 2025

Teaching our daughters to be godly will require modelling righteous lives as well as providing sound instruction from the pulpit and in the home.

“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” [1] There are certain clothes Christian women should never wear in public. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Memento Mori

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2021

We prepare to live by preparing for death.

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Vision For Prayer Series

Contributed by Tim Adams on Dec 1, 2009

The first step in a vision for Church Growth is a vital prayer life among its members.

“The Vision of Passionate Prayer” Acts 1:12-14 Acts 4:29-33 Hebrews 4:15-16 Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida in the summer of 1974. Disneyland in Anaheim, California had been in operation already for almost 20 years. Disney was a 47 year old man, already a successful film ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

In The Heavenlies!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2013

At a Christian’s funeral we say they have gone on to heaven. In truth, their heart had already been there for years, and the rest of their person is now rejoining their heart!

In the Heavenlies Ephesians 1:3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130123.mp3 v. 3 is the key verse of this book. It is summarized in three words: "all spiritual blessings". Then vv. 4-14 give the detail of what ’all’ means. We are rich and famous in things that really matter. Rich as joint heirs ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Seventeen Words

Contributed by Cameron Bottema on Apr 23, 2012

Seventeen words of Ephesians 4:32 - Three imperatives that are the very keys to meaningful relationships with God and everyone else.

“Seventeen Words” Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you.” There is one fundamental issue that is at the very heart of human existence. It is so important that everyday, every moment is touched ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32

Denomination: Friends

Called

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To encourage Christ followers to live out God's call on their life.

Title: Called Theme: God’s Call on and for our lives. Text: Galatians 1.11-17 Time: November 7, 2010 (Communion and All Saints Day) Task: To encourage people to live out God’s Call on their life. “I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:11-17

Denomination: Methodist

Elders, Deacons, And The Congregation Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Feb 20, 2014

This message highlights a few comments about elders, deacons, and the congregation.

Scripture It is our great joy today to ordain and install Doug Knox, who has been duly elected by the communicant members of this congregation, into the office of Ruling Elder; and to ordain and install Garry Gawrych, who also has been duly elected by the communicant members of this congregation, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Funeral Sermon For Faithful Saint

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jul 13, 2012

Dennis ______ lived about 68 years and died after a severe battle with cancer. His life and his Bible (I use the deceased’s Bible to see what was important to them) faith and service were of great value to him.

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ