Sermons on purposeful:

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

Practising Belonging Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 27, 2017

What is expected of new believers? The answer to this question is revealed through examining the life of the first congregation after the body was flooded with a multitude of believers following Pentecost.

“Those who received [Peter’s] word were baptized, and there were added [to the Faith] that day about three thousand souls. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Paul In Rome Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jun 1, 2017

This is the final chapter of the first book of the history of the Christian Church. According to the plan given by the risen Lord, we have been following the witnesses as they act in response to the Great Commission by taking the Gospel message to....

October 30, 2016 Acts of the Apostles Lesson: IV.G.2: Paul in Rome (Acts 28:16-Acts 28:31) Acts 28:16-31, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 28:16-31

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

Strength To Stand-4 Series

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 20, 2017

4 of 11. Paul closes his direction to the Ephesian church by encouraging them to find their strength in the Lord. But where or how can God's people find the strength to stand victorious? God’s people acquire strength to stand victorious thru a distinct...

STRENGTH To STAND-IV—Ephesians 6:10-20 Attention: Read & recount Numbers 13:1-33--14:1-4, 5-10 Highlight the disparity among the majority of the Israelite leaders(who spied out the land of Canaan), vs. Caleb & Joshua(13:30, 31; 14:6-9, 10). God’s people had POTENTIAL(13:31-33) to stand ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

Practising Serving Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 25, 2017

The model that is frequently brought into the church is provided by this world. That model drives the disciple to step on others in order to advance himself. The model Jesus provides, though often neglected, is quite different; it teaches us to serve.

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Practising Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2017

The message is a study of the conduct of the assembly at the Lord's Table

“In the following instructions, I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

A Casual Observance With Obvious Consequences Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 5, 2021

A cautionary sermon against presumption against the Lord at His 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 11:27-29

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says, "don't Pray For Them!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 16, 2021

God holds all mankind to account. All face judgement, and some are judged now. When God judges individuals and even communities, He informs His people, saying, "Don't pray for them!"

“Thus says the LORD concerning this people [Israel]: ‘They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore, the LORD does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.’ “The LORD said to me: ‘Do not pray for the welfare of this people. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:10-12

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

You Don't Have To Be A Star To Be In My Show

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2021

Recognition of those who advance the cause of Christ through quiet service within the assembly of the righteous.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Overflowing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2022

Joy is the inevitable result for the one who is obedient to the will of the Living God.

“Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

Survival Guide For Life In Days Leading To The Apocalypse

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2022

We are in the last days. Though we don't know the timing of Christ's return, we are assured that we are living in the last days. How, then, shall we live in this last days?

“Understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Loving Your Neighbor: A Broader Perspective (Exodus 21:28-36) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Nov 12, 2022

Loving your neighbor includes: (1) watching over your goring ox (and mean dogs), (2) taking warnings about dangerous things seriously, (3) putting a fence around your pool. Take safety seriously.

Quite a few of us, if we were asked to name the ten words/commandments, wouldn't be able to come up with all ten. But for sure one of the ones we would name, is "Don't murder." At first glance, this command is straightforward. God doesn't want his people to kill someone ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:28-36, Mark 12:30-31, Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, Luke 10:27, Galatians 5:14  (view more)  (view less)

Rabbit Trail Week #1: The Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1:1-9) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 24, 2022

Unpacking what the burnt offering is, how to do it, why, and what we can learn as Christians from it. Using Exodus 20:4 as a launch point, as part of my Exodus series.

Today, I want to start a two week rabbit trail on the topic of OT sacrifice. I should warn you, up front, that this is the most complicated thing I've ever tried to work through in biblical studies. I'll do my best to explain it as simply as possible, and hide as much of the hard stuff as ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 1:1-9, 2 Chronicles 29:20-36, Numbers 15:1-4