Sermons on rivers in the desert:

You Don't Look Like Your Picture!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 18, 2022

The first church was powerful for the cause of Christ. When we match the present churches to that earliest congregation, we are often compelled to confess that we don't look like we are their descendants. It is past time for us to take steps to correct this situation.

“In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Assault Against The Faithful Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 15, 2021

Paul's assessment of himself was that he was unworthy of God's grace. However, Christ is merciful; He will receive anyone who comes to Him in faith, even those who are full of themselves.

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Losing God In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2021

We Christians must not allow ourselves to begin to worship our worship. We must always ensure that we worship the Risen Saviour, the True and Living God.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes, I Guess There Just Aren't Enough Rocks

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 6, 2021

In life, we may tear down relationships or we may build relationships. We use similar aspects to both destroy and build. Christians should be known as builders.

“Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.” [1] In the movie Forrest Gump, one scene pictures Forrest and Jenny ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

Unstoppable Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 11, 2022

God sent the Holy Spirit to us and into this world to transform it and His mission is unstoppable. No man can stop it, no religion can stop it, no government can stop it and no demon can stop it.

Video: Courage Series AD Sermon: Unstoppable Thesis statement: “The mission of spreading the Gospel to all the earth was unstoppable because it was part of God’s salvation story that has been written and continues to be written“(Caine). God sent the Holy Spirit to us and into this world to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mentoring Discipleship – How To Develop Fully Devoted Followers Of Jesus

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 12, 2022

This course covers the following: I. THE BASICS AND MOTIVATION FOR MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP II. THE PRINCIPLES OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP III. THE NATURE OF A DISCIPLE IV. THE PRACTICE OF MENTORING DISCIPLESHIP

INTRODUCTION – A Life Well Lived I fell in love with Jesus when I was a troubled teenager while attending Topanga Community Church in California. One person stood out among all others, a silver-haired senior saint named Doris Shumate. She was an unassuming, kind, and gentle soul who always ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Philippians 3:17, John 3:16, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Mark 3:13-14, Mark 6:6-13, Luke 5:10, Luke 10:1-20, Colossians 1:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Four Days Late

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2021

When Christ delays answering our pleas, how shall we respond? God is merciful, even when it appears that Heaven in silent.

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Beginning Of The Divided Monarchy Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 15, 2021

This a study of when the nation Israel divides into two nations. It’s the beginning of a sad time in the nation and in our Bibles. King Solomon has died and things were not good during his watch. He allowed a lot of evil stuff to happen in his later days.

Recently, our news feeds were filled with talk of the United Methodist Church and its potential divide. They are currently the second-largest Protestant denomination in the United States and they recently announced a plan to split the church. The split comes because of what they called “fundamental ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

All Cultures Are Not Equivaent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 4, 2025

The rules for war that Moses gave to Israel revealed a vast cultural gap between Israel and the nations they were to dispossess. The nations of the west in this day are culturally superior to much of the remainder of the world because the foundations of the west are found in the Word of God.

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 20:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

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

Be Fruitful And Multiply

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2025

The Creator's command, "Be Fruitful and Multiply," is largely ignored by the people of God today. We have much to learn even with the second part of His command to subdue the earth.

“God blessed [the man and the woman]. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” [1] Undoubtedly, I am venturing into ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “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 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Worried About? - Matthew 6:25-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Your Father (not nature) feeds billions of birds every day and you are worth far more than the birds, therefore you have nothing to worry about.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26

Don’t Run For Gatorade - Matthew 6:28-33 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

How are promises of God's protection and provision comforting if all the things you are afraid of still might happen?

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:28-33

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

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 he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11