Sermons on rivers in the desert:

The Crown Has Fallen

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 25, 2021

In tumultuous times of national unrest, the people of God must turn to God to plead for their nation. The message is a call for God's people to see the danger in which we stand at this hour.

Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows. We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we get must be bought. Our pursuers ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Greatness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 1, 2025

The future is built on decisions we make today. God calls and we are to obey.

“On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Rules For Farming, Work, Rest, Worship, And Cooking (Exodus 23:10-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 17, 2022

Animals, servants, and the land need a break. Don't come before God empty-handed. When you celebrate harvest, celebrate God.

Today, we work our way through Exodus 23:10-19. This is another one of those passages where we will find ourselves being pulled in lots of different directions. God sort of hops around, from one topic to another. And we will have to do our best to hop with him, and keep up. Part of me wonders ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 23:10-19, Matthew 6:11, Leviticus 25:18-22, Exodus 31:15-17, Romans 8:4, Galatians 5:18, Colossians 2:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Silent Night Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2022

A message to be delivered on Christmas day. Christ has come, and he will return. This is the promise of the season. Amen.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Are You Saved? Are You Sure?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2023

Jesus warns that there exists people who appear to be serving Him, though they are lost. Therefore, He challenges each person to ensure that He has been born from above.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Survey Of My Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 22, 2024

Lamentations speaks on behalf of those suffering as he reminds the Lord of how great is the grief experienced. He confesses that the judgement is deserved. In this, he provides a warning to those living in this present culture that they must not presume against the goodness of God.

Grief touches each of us eventually. [1] Though we know we will experience grief as individuals, we sometimes need to be reminded that grief will consume the nation that turns from righteousness while embracing wickedness. Some might suppose that Christians will gloat when judgement at last comes ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Chastisement And Compassion Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2024

Even in the midst of national judgement, the follower of Christ the Lord is comforted by the hope Christ gives.

“This hurts me more than it hurts you.” Are those words familiar to you? Do they bring back memories from your childhood? I don’t know if your dad ever spoke those words to you, but my dad said these words more frequently than should ever have been necessary. And I readily admit that I gave him ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

When The Bottom Drops Out Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2024

Even the righteous suffer when judgement is poured out on the nation. God's people are what holds back judgement at this time.

“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. “The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!” [LAMENTATIONS 4:1-2] [1] What a dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Christ And The Law - Matthew 5:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 20, 2024

Critics often accuse Christians of picking and choosing which parts of the Old Testament we consider binding today. Why do we appeal to the prohibition on homosexuality, and yet we don’t put an incorrigible child to death by stoning?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-18

Moses, The Wisdom Of The Egyptians, And Modern Education

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 9, 2024

God will use you and what you bring to Him for His glory. But God does not depend on your education to advance His cause.

Earlier this year, I read an opinion piece that opened with these thought-provoking words. “Imagine a world where your child becomes the child of the state, effectively no longer under your care or influence. Their heart, soul, mind, and body are captured by the state's dictates, philosophy, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:20-38

Denomination: Baptist

God Appoints His Servant To Hard Tasks!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2024

As one who follows the Risen Lord, you may be assured that Christ has assigned you to do a particular task. And that task will require your finest effort, because God appoints His servant to hard tasks.

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Hate Sinners? Part 1 Series

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 23, 2025

Most religions teach, along with the Bible, that God hates and despises the iniquity of sin and holds every individual responsible for their sin

Part 1 INTRODUCTION It is the amazing and profound love of God that is the most powerful force in the Cosmos and the reason people exist. The Bible declares that God is love and is infinitely loving and just (1 John 4:8-10). It is because of His love He must deal with sin, which is the breaking ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:29, Matthew 5:43-45, Luke 11:11-13, Romans 2:5-9, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Hebrews 6:4-6, Colossians 3:12-15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Too Busy To Listen

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 28, 2000

There is a passage in the Gospel of Luke that talks about two sisters and their attitudes and methods for spending time with the Lord. One of the sisters had her spiritual priorities straight. The other was too busy to listen.

Too Busy To Listen Luke 10:38-42 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church December 31, 2000 Introduction: A few weeks ago, I was talking with Pamela and Linda after church. We were talking about the fact that while it is good to study God’s Word verse-by-verse, it’s also ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Denomination: *other

Jesus Came To Be Our King Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 10, 2003

THIS MORNING – Palm Sunday, we will see that Jesus came to be our king!!!

He Came To Be Our King What Jesus Came To Do – part three TODAY – is our 3rd week in our series, What Jesus Came To Do. SO – far we have seen that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (why? Because lost people (regardless of age, color, education, looks or social standing) matter to God; ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Tie On The Apron

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 1, 2003

There is no way around it. We have been called to be servants, and the Lord has exemplified what that means. Let’s tie on our aprons!

July 13, 2003 "Tie On the Apron" 1 Peter 5:5-14 Pastor Jon MacKinney ______________________________________________________________________________________ We all have principles that we live by, certain things we believe to be true. You can tell what a person believes to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free