Sermons on Plea:

And Then What?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2020

Each follower of the Christ has had the experience of praying earnestly, only to be disappointed to discover that God has not answered his/her prayer. When God doesn't answer our earnest request, then what?

“[Jesus] told [His 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 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Book Of Philemon Commentary; Part 2 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 30, 2021

The apostle's final decision was to do nothing without Philemon's consent. Paul made his appeal and made it strong and skillfully. At the same time, he did leave the decision to Philemon.

Tom Lowe 3/28/2021 THE BOOK OF PHILEMON COMMENTARY; PART 2 Note: The New King James Bible is used throughout, except where noted otherwise. 14. But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. But without your consent, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:14-25

Denomination: Baptist

Revive Us Lord Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 23, 2020

In a prayer to “Revive us Lord”, the Psalmist shows three things that can help us through present difficulties. He presents a 1) Remembrance of Past Revival (Psalm 85:1–3), 2) Request for Present Revival (Psalm 85:4–7), 3. Revelation for Future Revival (Psalm 85:8–13).

Psalm 85:1–13 1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah 3You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 85:1-13

Denomination: Other

Jesus Makes Room For Misfits Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 9, 2021

A study of Jesus' ministry to the outcasts of society.

“[Jesus] returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Engagement Strategies (Lesson 2) Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Feb 18, 2021

To establish that the Christian must prepare to be “fit-to-fight.” Paul gives the saints at Ephesus their operations order to engage the forces of evil successfully. It outlines the enemy situation, rules of engagement, and equipment safeties (protections).

INTRODUCTION Outline. 2. The Engagement Strategies Remarks. 1. This is lesson two in this sermon-series: “Fit-to-Fight,” “The Engagement Strategies” in “Ephesus’ Operations Order.” This lesson will deal with the saint’s need to understand the battle environment and rules of engagement: for their ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Admirable Scheme? Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Dec 6, 2017

A study of the book of Acts 21: 1 – 30

Acts 21: 1 – 30 An admirable scheme? 21 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

When A Christian Prays Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 20, 2018

When a Christian prays, God is pledged to act. This is especially true when we pray for fellow Christians who have begun to stray.

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes It's Like A Jungle [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2020

Studying the response of Jesus to the devil's temptation lays a foundation for the child of God to withstand temptation.

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jan 24, 2020

Without a doubt the most difficult challenge that you will ever face as you strive to live out God’s kind of love… IS WHEN - somebody hurts you, when they do you wrong, when evil is done to you or to those we love.

Love Keeps No Record Of Wrongs If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:21-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Glory Of Christ Is Witnessed Where?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 19, 2019

The glory of Christ is witnessed in what many consider to be the pedestrian. The people of God, serving as the hands of Christ, the eyes of Christ, the mouth of Christ, are the glory of Christ.

“As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.” [1] Reading the Word one Sunday morning, I was arrested by something Paul wrote in his Second Letter to the Christians in Corinth. The Apostle has been urging the Corinthian congregation to be generous as they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:23

Denomination: Baptist

Moving Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2019

The child of God is encouraged to seek His presence and His power so that they can excel in life. We must never permit ourselves to live at less than our best to the praise of His glory.

“The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and Penuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Point Counterpoint

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 16, 2019

A study in the book of Romans 4: 1 – 25

Romans 4: 1 – 25 Point counterpoint 1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:4

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

O Lord, Just Kill Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2019

God's mercy and our anger can often be in conflict. Such conflict can lead to discouragement that in turn can lead to despair. The child of God must guard his/her heart to avoid falling into deep gloom leading to thoughts of suicide.

“[God’s mercy toward Nineveh] displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Big Enough To Remove My Doubts Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 13, 2019

In Luke 24:36-49 we can see the sovereign plan of God, to remove any doubt of His working to bring eternal life through the forgiveness of sins through 3 things : 1)The Reappearing of Jesus (Luke 24:36) , 2) The Reassuring by Jesus (Luke 24:37–43), and 3) The Revealing by Jesus (Luke 24:44–49)

Luke 24:36-49 [36] As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, "Peace to you!" [37] But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. [38] And he said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49

Denomination: Other