Sermons on Permissive Will:

I Did Not Quit Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 20, 2016

Christian service requires stamina to stay the course despite opposition.

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:10-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Futility Of Wealth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2016

Materialism ensures that we can never fully enjoy the blessings of God

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Sacrificial Service Series

Contributed by Manny Salva Cruz on Jun 12, 2016

Ruth displayed her sacrificial love and service to her mother in law, Naomi by her willingness to glean in the field of Boaz even in the heat of the sun. Such godly character produced a blessing that transformed Naomi's bitterness into hope and joy.

We are continuing our study in the book of Ruth. Last week, we studied chapter one concerning a man from Judah named Elimelech relocating his entire family to Moab, the land of pagan idol worshipers. Elimelech lived during the time of the Judges, was married to Naomi and they had two sons, named ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 2:1-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Destination Bethlehem: A Stable Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 27, 2015

God chose the most humble circumstances possible for the entrance of His Son into the world. He did this that we might know His love and receive Him as one of us.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

When He Appears Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 13, 2018

What do we know concerning the return of Christ the Lord? John points Christians to that day as a means of encouraging holy living.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Tell-Tale Life Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 27, 2018

Those who are twice-born reveal divine parentage through life, through confidence and through victory.

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” [1] Some truths cannot be hidden. Though an evil individual may attempt to hide the evil that contaminates the soul, the sinful proclivity ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In An Uncertain World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2018

The Christian knows intuitively that he/she belongs to God and that the world about them is under the sway of the evil one. The message explores some of the parameters of this knowledge.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” [1] The New York Stock Exchange hits a new high every week, sometimes even breaking previous trading records several times in a week. Investor exuberance does make some potential traders nervous; they wonder ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

You’re In A Heap Of Trouble

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 13, 2018

A study in the book of Genesis 31: 1 - 55

Genesis 31: 1 - 55 You’re in a heap of trouble 31 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” 2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Do You Have A Title? Or A Testimony?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2018

The believer in the Risen Christ has a powerful testimony. We need to be encouraged to use what God has given each of us to the praise of His glory.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [1] The disciples were just like us—they wanted power, especially power over other disciples. They were convinced that if only they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons On Jude Part 4 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 27, 2018

They left their own habitation (in heaven). This seems to imply that they had invaded the territory of others, and attempted to seize control of it. They lived in heaven; all bright and glorious, as opposed to the "darkness" to which they now are doomed.

Part 4 (2/27/18) But left their own habitation (in heaven). This seems to imply that they had invaded the territory and responsibility of others, and attempted to seize control of it. They lived in heaven; all bright and glorious, as opposed to the "darkness" to which they now are doomed. Their ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The God Whom We Know

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2018

What do we know about God? Does what we know influence our response to Him and to others? These are the issues explored in this message.

“We know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [1] Few portions of the Word are calculated to give the Christian pause as is this one verse. The Living God does not ignore ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Bowling Alone: Dying For Lack Of Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2018

The aloneness that has become a hallmark of our modern age presents a great opportunity for the people of God to present the message of life. As Christ calls people to rest in Him, the churches must echo that call.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [1] Robert Putnam raised a red flag for people living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Yuck: The Lukewarm Church Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Apr 7, 2018

Christ delivers a message to those who are Christian in name only. Being neither zealous for good works nor orthodox in their doctrine, they are lukewarm and sickening to Christ.

George Barna makes a living through surveys. What makes him unique is that his surveys are on exclusively Christian topics. Although he does poll populations at large, he also does polling on those who profess to be Christian. For millennia, there have been standard benchmarks of orthodoxy. Yet, as ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22

Denomination: Other

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

When Does Life Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2015

God has worked in the life of His people since before the foundations of the world--preparing and appointing them for service.

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’” [1] It is most humbling to realise that we cannot boast of anything we possess or of who we ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-5

Denomination: Baptist