Sermons on Respite:

On The Death Of Heroes

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 9, 2019

The message is a call for men to be manly, despite knowing the cost that may be required of a man.

“David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said: “‘Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Comfort You?

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 25, 2019

A study in the book of Lamentations 2: 1 – 22

Lamentations 2: 1 – 22 How can I comfort you? 1 How the Lord has covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in His anger! He cast down from heaven to the earth the beauty of Israel and did not remember His footstool in the day of His anger. 2 The Lord has swallowed up and has not pitied all the ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 2:13

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

To Infinity And Beyond!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 14, 2022

Though all associated with this life is impermanent, the future for the child of God is bright with hope. Christ has redeemed us by His death and resurrection. Now, through faith in Him, we anticipate a permanent home in Heaven.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The One Thing That Made Jesus Say "wow!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2022

Christ is impressed by our faith, though the quality of our faith is not required for Him to show compassion.

“After [Jesus] had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Him Something He Can Feel

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2022

Faith in Jesus as the Saviour, even if that faith is not yet perfect, is honoured by the Lord. The message serves to encourage all to look to Jesus for mercy, which He gives to all who come to Him in faith.

“And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’” [1] How sensitive are you? I don’t mean, are you woke. Neither am I particularly thinking of whether you are able to feel the pain of another. But, I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:30

Denomination: Baptist

I Have A Vision!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 1, 2022

The assemblies of the Lord must recognise the marks of the false prophet and the false teacher. They must guard themselves against succumbing to the alluring message that leads to destruction of the congregation.

The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: “Hear the word of the LORD!” Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 13:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Do Not Destroy (Part 3) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2022

God delivers the righteous when they look to Him. He will not permit His Name to be dishonoured.

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO DO NOT DESTROY. A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN SAUL SENT MEN TO WATCH HIS HOUSE IN ORDER TO KILL HIM. “Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. “For ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 59:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The King Wants To See You

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2021

Christians, especially, must always remember those who have stood with them, honouring their memory and the kinship they have shared during hard times.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Mistreating The Vulnerable Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 17, 2020

Christians are taught to treat the vulnerable with compassion and with generosity. The study is based upon the practised instituted by Moses for Israel, which practise is continued among the churches to this day.

“You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 22:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Prayer Series

Contributed by Dr. Tom Badia on Feb 27, 2024

This lesson explores the power of prayer in the name of Jesus. It also presents the associated practice of fasting. Prayer and fasting are powerful principles which release the power of God in the lives of believers.

SERIES: UNDERSTANDING POWER PRINCIPLES THE POWER OF PRAYER - POWER PRINCIPLE SIX OBJECTIVES: • Explain how prayer and fasting release God's power. • Define prayer. • Identify various levels of prayer. • Identify various types of prayer. • Identify hindrances to prayer. • Define ...read more

Scripture: James 5:16

A Preacher For This Generation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 25, 2023

A call for us who preach to determine that we are delivering the message our God has given and not speaking to make people feel good about themselves.

“‘Do not preach’—thus they preach— ‘one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us.’ Should this be said, O house of Jacob? Has the LORD grown impatient? Are these his deeds? Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly? But lately my people have risen up as an ...read more

Scripture: Micah 2:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Success Is Never About Defeating Giants [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2024

Fighting and winning one battle does not define your life, any more than fighting and losing one battle defines who you are.

1 SAMUEL 17:34-37 SUCCESS IS NEVER ABOUT DEFEATING GIANTS “David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Cave, The Call, The Commission

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Jul 18, 2025

Even mighty prophets face dark valleys. Today, we discover how God meets us in our caves, whispers through our storms, and transforms our deepest struggles into divine purpose.

The Cave, The Call, The Commission Introduction In the pages of Scripture, few narratives capture the raw humanity of faith more vividly than the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Here we encounter one of God's most powerful prophets not in a moment of triumph, but in the depths of despair. Just ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:9, Genesis 12:2-3, Genesis 32:24-30, Exodus 3:1-12, Exodus 16:4-35, Exodus 33:11, Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 1 Samuel 1:12-16, 1 Kings 17:8-16, 1 Kings 19:1-21, 1 Kings 19:3-4, 1 Kings 19:5-7, 1 Kings 19:9, 1 Kings 19:11-12, 1 Kings 19:15-16, 1 Kings 19:18, 1 Kings 19:19, Psalm 13:1, Psalm 23:1-4, Psalm 42:3, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 142:1, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:11, Jeremiah 12:1, Matthew 4:1, Matthew 11:28-29, Matthew 12:20, Matthew 14:13-21, Matthew 14:17-21, Matthew 27:60, Matthew 28:1-10, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 5:16, John 5:6, John 14:12, John 20:19, Acts 20:28, Romans 8:26, 2 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:2, Hebrews 2:10, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 2:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational