Sermons on Oversight:

Forgiveness For The Foremost Sinner

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 21, 2022

Can God forgive you of the worst sin you've ever committed? The message explores the grace of God, not to excuse our sin, but to encourage us to look to God for grace as we turn from our sin to walk with Him.

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-18

Denomination: Baptist

Becoming A Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 17, 2017

A study of Proverbs 7, and the danger of sexual immorality.

“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 7:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

Risk And The Christian Life

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2016

What are you willing to risk in order to advance the cause of Christ Jesus?

“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Under Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 27, 2018

Jonah's prayer from the belly of a fish serves to encourage Christians to pray, especially when under water.

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying “‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2018

An exposition of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer presented in John 17.

“[Jesus] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons For Writing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 11, 2018

Confidence in our salvation is essential to vibrant life as a Christian. John writes to encourage believers to focus on what is essential for vigorous faith.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” [1] The couple, a man and a woman, had come to the door professing concern for my welfare. Their concern was driven by certainty that a great, world-wide conflagration known as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Competing According To The Rules Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2015

Divine rewards demand that we conduct our lives according to God's rules provided in His Word.

I consider the initial verses of this chapter to be among the most significant verses of the book. They are, as well, perhaps the most neglected verses of the missive which Paul wrote. I confess that I am ploughing quite a narrow furrow in these expositions. Note that the Apostle appeals to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Striving To Succeed In 2019

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 28, 2015

This lesson deals with Paul’s self-confession and desire to succeed in his “pursuit of Christ” and "the prize of the high calling of God." He provides a plan for all who are “striving to succeed,” in their pursuit of Christ. It begs our attention.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Release the Past 2. Reach for the Present 3. Race toward the Prize Remarks. 1. This lesson deals with believers striving to succeed – in their pursuit of Christ, and their desire to be well pleasing to God. The motto of the Lexus motorcar is the “Pursuit of Perfection.” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Redemption At Hand-6 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 23, 2016

6 of 6. God initiated the redemption of His people thru John’s birth. Redemption is encountered/at hand thru God’s visitation. But when is that redemption realized? Redemption is at hand when God initiates...

REDEMPTION At HAND-VI—Luke 1:67-80 TOUCHING REDEMPTION Attention: I Love You Guys: After the baby dedication in church, little Johnny sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, "That preacher said he wanted ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:67-80

Denomination: Baptist

A Hymn Without A Melody Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2016

Considering the hymnody of the faithful, what is the meaning of the hymn Paul cites in this particular text? How does this build the saints today?

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” [1] I must believe that the Apostle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

The High Cost Of Arrogance Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 5, 2017

Arrogance kills. Should anyone question that statement, they need but study an incident when a king whom God anointed requested consideration from a wealthy farmer. What happened next is a warming against becoming arrogant.

“Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Mighty Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2017

A study of a warrior-priest noted as one of David's mighty men with encouragement for believers to emulate his life.

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Child's Responsibility To Parents

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2019

A Mothers' Day message urging parents to instruct their children to honour them, and urging children to show honour to their parents.

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Is Treated As "cheap!" Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2021

Can God accept a murderer? He accepted Saul; and He has accepted many of us who were once filled with bitterness toward others. Those who turn from their evil to receive Christ as Master over life will be accepted by the Living God.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist