Sermons on Pleading:

Take This Cup From Me - Mark 14:32-36 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 12, 2024

One preacher said, “Prayer is not about getting God to do what you want. It’s about getting you to do what God wants.” But if that’s the case, why make requests? What is the real purpose of prayer?

Introduction: Unanswered Prayer Does prayer work? We all know the right answer: “Yes, of course it works. Prayer changes things!” But what about when you pray and nothing happens? Let me ask you this: Did Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane work? To answer the question of whether prayer ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-36, Matthew 26:36-39

When The Hour Of Decision Is Midnight

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 15, 2024

When one asks the question, "What must I do to be saved," accepting the answer we give will determine the eternal destiny for that person.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Preachers In Perdition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 6, 2024

Many professed Christians will be turned away from Heaven because they have trusted an act rather than trusting the Son of God.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Survey Of My Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2024

Lamentations speaks on behalf of those suffering as he reminds the Lord of how great is the grief experienced. He confesses that the judgement is deserved. In this, he provides a warning to those living in this present culture that they must not presume against the goodness of God.

Grief touches each of us eventually. [1] Though we know we will experience grief as individuals, we sometimes need to be reminded that grief will consume the nation that turns from righteousness while embracing wickedness. Some might suppose that Christians will gloat when judgement at last comes ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

When The Bottom Drops Out Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2024

Even the righteous suffer when judgement is poured out on the nation. God's people are what holds back judgement at this time.

“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. “The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!” [LAMENTATIONS 4:1-2] [1] What a dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

How Long, O Lord? How Long? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2024

Though the Lord shall judge the nation that practice wickedness, how shall we who follow Christ respond to the evil embraced and promoted within our culture?

When the child of God sins, that child knows that God does not ignore that sin. Because He loves us, the LORD disciplines His people, and His discipline will not be pleasant. God’s discipline was never intended to be pleasant. Divine discipline is intended to impose … well, discipline! Indeed, ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Moses, The Wisdom Of The Egyptians, And Modern Education

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 9, 2024

God will use you and what you bring to Him for His glory. But God does not depend on your education to advance His cause.

Earlier this year, I read an opinion piece that opened with these thought-provoking words. “Imagine a world where your child becomes the child of the state, effectively no longer under your care or influence. Their heart, soul, mind, and body are captured by the state's dictates, philosophy, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:20-38

Denomination: Baptist

God Appoints His Servant To Hard Tasks!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2024

As one who follows the Risen Lord, you may be assured that Christ has assigned you to do a particular task. And that task will require your finest effort, because God appoints His servant to hard tasks.

“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.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Lily Of The Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 14, 2022

Standing firm in the Lord, we can depend on Him to deliver us from all evil.

To the Director: A special Davidic psalm to the tune of “Lily of The Covenant,” for teaching about his battle with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and attacked 12,000 Edomites in the Salt Valley. “God, you have cast us off; you have breached our defenses and you have become ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 60:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2022

The birth of John, known as the Baptist, is the appropriate beginning of the story of the coming of the Christ to present His life as a sacrifice for sinful man.

“In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Baptist

When You Don't Know What To Ask Him To Do...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 22, 2023

If Jesus was to appear before you, asking you what you want Him to do for you, what would you say? The message is intended to be a challenge for us to boldly ask the Master for that one thing that weighs our hearts.

“As [Jesus and His disciples] went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Spiritual Nature Of Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2023

A message for the Labour Day weekend, emphasising that the work we perform and the manner in which we work reflect our understanding of God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” [1] The necessity of going to work Monday morning despite being exhausted from the “rest and relaxation” pursued ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Incomplete Message

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 26, 2024

God is the central character in the Book of Job. We discover what is lacking in our own lives as we witness God revealing His character in this account of His dealing with one suffering saint.

“Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Of A Culture

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 30, 2022

How should the saints of the Risen Saviour Live when the society in which they are found is decaying and disintegrating into a putrid mess? They must be vigilant to be holy and righteous, glorifying their God in all things.

“I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. “The look on their faces bears witness against them; they ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 3:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Arrogance Of The Ignorant

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 12, 2023

Ignorant people attempt to mask their lack of knowledge through arrogance. Jesus pierced the facade of the Sadducees by pointing to what was written in the Word of the Living God.

“Sadducees came to [Jesus], who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:18-27

Denomination: Baptist