Sermons on Purposeful:

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

That’s Not Fair! - 1 Peter 2:18-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 22, 2024

Why doesn't the Bible condemn slavery?

1 Peter 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-19

Spiritually Extravagant - 1 Peter 3:1-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 30, 2024

Submission is not blind agreement or passive acceptance or subservience, nor is it demeaning. It is taking your God-ordained place in the home, which brings honor to both your husband and you.

1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-6

Men Have Forgotten God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2025

God must judge the sin of societies, and He does so even now. In the midst of judgement, He shows mercy to all who look to Him.

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it. But you, O ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:15-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Disaster Of The Dark Lamp - Matthew 6:22-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 4, 2024

Your hidden attitudes and your way of looking at things will color all the data before it reaches your brain, so that you will never see things properly unless you have a generous, honest outlook. This message will alert your soul to the deadly dangers of greedy attitudes.

Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and eating destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and eating do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

The Assurance Of The Secret Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 9, 2024

Trouble comes into each life, even the life of the Christian. When trouble comes, the child or God will seek a refuge. The Psalmist points to the Lord God as the refuge for all who are redeemed.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

What’s The Catch? - Matthew 7:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

We know we do not get everything we ask for, so when Jesus says “Ask and you will receive” what is the catch?

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7

Danger: Disguised, Deadly Deceivers! - Matthew 7:15-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

It is God’s design that we follow leaders. But the false ones deceive and lead away from the narrow road to hell. The way to see past the sheep’s clothing to the actual fruit is by watching for the things that come from the heart and that are not a part of the act.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:15-20

The Glory Of The Story - 1 Peter 1:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Why did the prophets search their own writings? Did they not understand what they wrote? If that's the case, what were they trying to communicate when they wrote it?

The prophets searched Scripture to find out what kind of era it would be when the Messiah would suffer and then be glorified. But they were told that it was not for them to know. We get to participate in this glorious kingdom in the Church (why would a Christian prefer the world to the Church?). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Peace In The Midst Of Chaos Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 29, 2022

Embracing obedience to God brought peace to the young teenage girl whom the Lord chose to bear His Son into the world.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

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)

Be Holy - 1 Peter 1:14-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

You are either being conformed to evil desires or changed into the image of a holy God. This message will show you how to change bad desires.

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14-16

The High Cost Of Sin Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 14, 2023

Sin has infected the race. It contaminates our lives, ultimately ensuring our death. The Son of God was born to offer His life as a sacrifice, taking the sin of all mankind upon Himself. This is the neglected message of Christmas.

“To the woman [God] said, ‘I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.’ “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Settle Down Where I Have Placed You!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2025

Many of God's people are infected with a spirit of restlessness. We do well to take to heart the message God sent to Jews living in Babylonian captivity to settle down where He placed them.

“These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Denomination: Baptist