Sermons on Rodney Stark:

A New Teaching

Contributed by John Knight on Jul 15, 2002

Christ comes with teaching authority and calls for holiness.

A New Teaching Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37 Boiling a frog by slowly turning up the heat Reality Check #1: There Is A Pervasiveness About Life From the Latin word pervado, which means "to penetrate" Matthew 16:6 "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." (New Living ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37

Denomination: Holiness

Kingdom Values And Our Values: Challenges To A Contemorary Way Of Life

Contributed by Philip Gill on Oct 3, 2007

As the lives of the rich man and Lazarus are reversed by their experience of the Kingdom so our contemorary values are challenged by the call to discipleship.

In the gospel passage this morning there is a great reversal of fortunes for the rich man and Lazarus the poor beggar. Lazarus, after enduring great suffering is taken into heaven, into the bosom of Abraham. This end suggests that he led a faithful life while the rich man is depicted in typical ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Denomination: Anglican

We Remember Them

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Nov 1, 2008

A sermon for Remembrance Sunday (UK); Veteran’s Day (US)

John 15:1-15 We Remember Them The verses we’ve heard from John’s Gospel this morning are part of what we know as the ‘Farewell’ discourse of Jesus, as he speaks to the closest of his friends about his impending departure from them. Jesus, as he speaks to his friends, seeks to offer them comfort ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Tree By Stream

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Feb 3, 2005

A comparison of the effects of trusting in man and trusting in God based on Jeremiah 17:5-8.

Introduction In academic circles a favourite type of question to ask in an exam or an essay starts with the words ‘compare and contrast’. The task is to discuss the differences and similarities between two different ideas or situations, to show where they are the same and where they are different. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Hall Of Faith: Jacob PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

The story of Jacob's deception in Genesis, the consequences of deceit, the complexity of human relationships, and God's unwavering faithfulness amidst our chaos.

Good morning, Church family. We're diving deep into the book of Genesis today, focusing on a story that's as messy and tangled as a bowl of spaghetti. It's the story of Jacob's deception, a tale of deceit, broken relationships, and God's unshakeable faithfulness. As A.W. Tozer once said, "God never ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:19-34

Topics: Lying, Deception, Faith

Dead Man Walking PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the Christian call to sacrifice and surrender, the consequences of disobedience, and the transformative power of yielding to God's will.

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. We're going to be diving into a meaty topic today, one that challenges us, inspires us, and calls us to a deeper commitment in our walk with the Lord. We're talking about the necessity of sacrifice, the cost of disobedience, and the power of surrender. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1

Topics: Glory Of God

Rich Man And Lazarus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore the hard truths about the reality of Hell, the consequences of greed, and the urgency of repentance, as illustrated in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.

Good morning, Church family. We're diving deep today into a passage that really hits hard - Luke 16:19-31. You know, Watchman Nee once said, "One gains by losing self for others and not by hoarding for oneself." We're going to unpack that today, as we talk about the reality of Hell, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Topics: Hell, Real

Bad Decisions PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Good morning, Church! I'm sure many of you have read or heard about the story of King Solomon, a man of great wisdom who fell into the trap of temptation and disobedience. Today, we’ll be diving into 1 Kings 12, exploring the repercussions of Solomon's choices and the hope found in God's merciful ...read more

Topics: Bad Decisions

The Sheep And The Goats PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 11, 2023

Emphasize the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, as Jesus taught that our actions towards the 'least of these' are directly seen as actions towards Him.

Good morning, Church! Today we're going to delve into a pretty heavy topic, but one that Jesus Himself felt was important enough to address. It's about how we treat others, the responsibility we have as followers of Christ to help those in need, and the consequences of our actions. As Dietrich ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Topics: Sheep, Goats

Responsibility PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2023

Emphasize the importance of using the gifts God has given us wisely, honoring the trust He has placed in us, and understanding our responsibility as stewards to bring glory to His name.

Good morning, Church! Today, we're going to dive into a powerful passage from the book of Matthew. It's a story Jesus told His disciples about trust - the responsibility of it, the consequences of misusing it, and the rewards of fulfilling it. Now, I'm sure many of you have heard this parable ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Topics: Trust

Whose Password Or Username Are You? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 28, 2024

This sermon encourages self-reflection on our actions, choices, and motivations, emphasizing the importance of serving God and establishing a good character for our destiny.

Good morning, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. I stand before you today with a heart full of joy and gratitude. As we gather together under the glorious banner of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the immense beauty found in fellowship, in unity, and in shared faith. We are ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 21:23, Matthew 6:24, Joshua 24:15, Romans 6:16

Topics: Wisdom, Choice, Servitude

Reunited In God Series

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Oct 8, 2022

Reunited in God Series: Roots: The Book of Acts September 18, 2022 - Brad Bailey

Intro In recent years…people exploring their ancestry… the massive exploration has come in part due to easier access to archived info… and DNA testing…but also because of the significant disconnection people feel with their families…and their roots. Fewer have those who pass along the stories… and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-8, Acts 2:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Parables One Message Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jul 16, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson, not a sermon. The Bible studies teach foundational truth that are designed to challenge, encourage and, most importantly, flame the fire of hunger in the Christian who wants to learn more about who they have become in Christ Jesus.

Three Parables, One Message (Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 4:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Surviving In A World Of Pain

Contributed by Michael Stover on Sep 14, 2001

After the tragedy of terrorism we have suffered, our citizens will be struggling with how to cope. Three concerns will be why bad things happen, how do I keep my heart holy, and what can I do to help?

Face up to: I. Stark Reality (vs. 2-3, 5) A. Bad things DO happen to good people 1. The Psalmist expected them 2. John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” 3. Matthew 5:45, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Leave The Dead To Bury Their Dead-Follow Me Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 26, 2010

We are called to bring the Gospel to a world that is full of men and women who have no awareness of their need for God.

Feast of St. Irenaeus June 28 2010 You Will Be My Witnesses The incident reported in Matthew’s Gospel today, is one in which a “man of the book,” literally, or one who studied Torah, declares his willingness to follow Jesus to the end of the earth. Another one, just identified ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Catholic