Sermons on Rite Of Passage:

Take Your Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2014

To avoid appointing unqualified people to the eldership, the elders must take time to know these candidates.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Holy Calling Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2015

Examining God's purpose and work in redeeming a people for His glory.

“Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

Can The Contemporary Church Be Salvaged?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2014

We shall either live as followers of Christ or as enemies of the cross of Christ. There is no in between.

“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 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Solid Church Series

Contributed by Chris Kelly on Oct 2, 2006

A study on the 7 model churches as described by Jesus in the book of Revelation. Learn why the church is so important, and your part in what He’s up to in these last days.

How to Be a Solid Church Series: Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? Sept. 24, 2006 Rev. 2:12-17 If you’ve been with us the past couple of weeks, you know that we’re studying 7 churches in the book of Revelation. As Jesus inspects the church in Rev.2,3 (walking among the lampstands that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Living At The Centre Of The Universe

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2019

Christians are secure in Christ. Because this is true, it behooves us to know Him--really know Who He is. The message explores Paul's revelation of Jesus as very God in his letter to the congregation in Colossae.

[1] “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

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

If The Foundations Are Destroyed

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 30, 2016

The one who follows the Master must focus on Him and His will, proving to be righteous rather than responding to the disintegration of society as do the wicked.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Where was God when Jesus was crucified? The divine mystery is that God provided Himself as a sacrifice for sinful man. We are humbled by this knowledge, and eternally blessed.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Believe In Holy Living

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 20, 2014

Because God is Holy, we must hold onto His gift of holiness which he gave us through His Son Jesus Christ. We must perceive it and understand what it is then believe on it and receive it! Once we have it we need to make sure that we hold onto it.

Illustration: Give out the gifts to the staff before preaching. Make a big deal about then 5-10 minutes into sermon have them come back to the front at different times and say they don’t want my gift and throw it at me. This illustration is what some people do with the gift of holiness that ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 19:2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Neglected Principle

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2014

A study of generosity as taught from the Old Testament.

“I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The End Of The Age Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 14, 2020

Preparing for the End of the Age Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 23, 2020 – Brad Bailey

Preparing for the End of the Age Series: Encountering Jesus (through the Gospel of Luke) February 23, 2020 – Brad Bailey Series #59 / Luke 21:5–38 Intro It’s been noted that when there is that which may be really hard ahead… most people tend to want to avoid it. The truth is that we waste more ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:5-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2023

God made atonement as Jesus hung on the cross. All who receive Him as Master over life are brought into the family of God, forgiven all sin, and saved forever.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

No Excuse Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Mar 6, 2024

God has revealed Himself to humanity. No one can offer an excuse for not knowing Him.

1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven…” This is the God we love to cover up. A God of wrath? Is He not love? Yes, but His love is a holy love. His wrath is the heart of the surgeon who must get rid of the disease so that the body can live. His wrath is the heart of the gardener who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:18-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God