Sermons on Remain In The Vine:

Cheating The Labourer Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2020

James cautions us against cheating those to whom we are indebted. The message explores some of the parameters of this admonition.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Make The House You Have The Home You Want

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2020

The message is a plea for Christians to ensure that their families are provided with a model for Christian living and that all within the family know the message of life in the Son of God.

“Fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Lydia's Conversion Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Aug 5, 2019

To establish that Lydia’s obedience to the gospel followed the same “pattern of conversion” outlined in the Book of Acts. She attended to the words spoken by Paul and Silas, believed in the Lord, and was baptized with her entire household.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Lydia’s Hearkening unto Paul 2. Lydia’s Faithfulness to the Lord 3. Lydia’s Baptism into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. Our lesson today will discuss the theme: “Lydia’s Conversion.” What will be abundantly clear is that her “obedience to the gospel;” followed the same ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:13-15, Acts 8:12, Acts 18:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

But Some Doubted...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 9, 2017

The struggle to believe when the evidence is before us is exemplified by the response of Apostles to the Risen Saviour.

“The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.” [1] This is shocking! The eleven disciples obeyed the command Jesus had given. Some women had gone to the tomb in order to prepare His body for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

Grateful For Our Elder Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 8, 2017

A plea for Christians to turn from anti-Semitism and to love Israel for Christ's sake.

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

What We Learn From Creation's Groanings Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 21, 2017

The sorrow we experience as we witness the devolution of culture creates a longing for Heaven and for Christ.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

The High Cost Of Arrogance Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 5, 2017

Arrogance kills. Should anyone question that statement, they need but study an incident when a king whom God anointed requested consideration from a wealthy farmer. What happened next is a warming against becoming arrogant.

“Abigail came to Nabal, and behold, he was holding a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. And Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. So she told him nothing at all until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:36-38

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Mighty Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2017

A study of a warrior-priest noted as one of David's mighty men with encouragement for believers to emulate his life.

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Wolf Country

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 31, 2017

Jesus sent out His disciples, comparing them as sheep sent in the midst of wolves. So, the flock of God to this day lives in the midst of wolves as they fulfil the will of the Master.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Citizen Of An Unseen Country

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 8, 2017

How we live reveals our understanding of who we are. As citizens of Heaven, Christians exhibit defined characteristics.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Uprooting Bitterness Series

Contributed by David Welch on Jul 28, 2018

This message continues the discussion of bitterness - its cause and cure.

Future Focus Present Faithfulness Series Pt 11 “Uprooting Bitter Roots 4” Hebrews identifies three deadly infections that critically cripple the church. God calls the entire Christian community to guard against their spread in the community. 1. Guard against anyone falling short of God’s enabling ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How Could A Loving God Allow This?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 9, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 15: 1 – 35

1 Samuel 15: 1 – 35 How could a loving God allow this? 15 Samuel also said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD. 2 Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Uprooting Bitter Roots 4 Series

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 14, 2018

This messages continues the exploration of the second deadly virus infecting the church - bitterness. This message focuses on the cure.

“Uprooting Bitter Roots 4” Hebrews identifies three deadly infections that critically cripple the church. God calls the entire Christian community to guard against their spread in the community. 1. Guard against anyone falling short of God’s enabling grace 2. Guard against bitter roots I. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-9, Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Hey, Wake Up!

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 16, 2018

A study in the book of 1 Samuel 26: 1 – 25

1 Samuel 26: 1 – 25 Hey, wake up! 26 Now the Ziphites came to Saul at Gibeah, saying, “Is David not hiding in the hill of Hachilah, opposite Jeshimon?” 2 Then Saul arose and went down to the Wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the Wilderness of ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel