Sermons on Rodney Stark:

The Baptism Of Jesus

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 10, 2013

Meeting Jesus in the waters of baptism.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS. Matthew 3:13-17. The baptism administered by John was with a view to the repentance of sins. So, immediately, we are challenged with the thought: why did Jesus make the journey from Galilee to Jordan to be baptised by John (Matthew 3:13)? After all, as John would argue ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Biblical Stance On Abuse In Marriage Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 7, 2024

The Bible explicitly condemns abuse in all its forms.

God's design for marriage is one of mutual love, respect, and submission. However, some marriages are marred by abuse, which is a stark contradiction to God's intentions. In this sermon , we'll explore the biblical stance on abuse in marriage and the consequences for abusive ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33, 1 Corinthians 7:15

The Black And White Of Following Christ

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jun 10, 2022

Christ is he who will satisfy the deepest desires of our empty souls, and who promises us eternal life and resurrection if we dedicate ourselves to obedience in faith.

One could get into quite a discussion with biblical scholars and teachers over who was the greatest prophet in Israel. The greatest of the writing prophets, of course, was Isaiah, but he lived long after the period written about in the first reading today. Elijah pops into one’s head at first, but ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21, Psalm 16:1-10, Matthew 5:33-37

Denomination: Catholic

Warning Against The Perils Of Wealth And Greed Series

Contributed by Adam Laible on May 17, 2023

James 5:1. In this verse, James offers us a stern warning about the dangers of wealth and the relentless pursuit of material possessions. It is a timeless message that resonates with us even in the present day, as we navigate a world consumed by greed and materialism.

I. The Corrosive Nature of Wealth (James 5:1-3) James begins by addressing those who are rich, cautioning them against the potential pitfalls that come with material abundance. He reminds them that wealth can have a corrosive effect on the human soul, leading to arrogance, selfishness, and a ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-3, James 5:4-6, James 5:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When We Forget Our Primary Duty

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 18, 2022

Humans become like those rebels when they forget that their primary mission in life is to live and die in love with God and neighbor.

Saturday of 29th Week in Course 2022 Jesus always paid attention to the local news, wherever He might have been ministering. Today’s Gospel actually gives us two situations in which Jesus gets to comment on something happening in Jerusalem, something that these days would make at least page two of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Ephesians 4:7-16

Denomination: Catholic

Growing The Gifts Within Us SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Every Christian possesses the fruit of the Holy Spirit; we have to nourish them so they grow. These fruits are positive characteristics; gifts; we cannot manufacture them, and certainly cannot witness without displaying them.

Today, we will explore the topic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are all blessed with these fruit, but it is our responsibility to nurture and develop them. These fruit are positive characteristics and gifts that we cannot manufacture on our own. They are essential for us to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-26

Topics: Character, Christian Life

Everyone's Welcome At God's Feast SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

In Luke 14, Jesus portrays the Kingdom of God as a grand feast. This sermon explores who is invited to this table and the extent of its inclusivity.

In this sermon, we will explore Luke 14, where Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as a great banquet table. We will examine who belongs at the table and how inclusive it is. Jesus often faced controversy due to his social interactions. He would eat with sinners and outcasts, which was frowned upon ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:1-24

Topics: Inclusivity, Kingdom Of God

Glimpse Of Heaven Series

Contributed by David Jenkins on Oct 21, 2004

Glimpse of Heaven

Today people have an unprecedented longing to understand spiritual things. People will go to “mediums” or spiritualists and pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in an attempt to “touch” the supernatural. Despite all these claims of going to heaven and the Lord, the person returning with a ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 4:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

And Where Was God

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Sep 14, 2001

This sermon deals with tragedy of the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and the plane in PA. God works even in tragedies.

And Where Was God 9/16/2001 Psalm 24 Hebrews 11:32-40 Three eleven year old students, Bernard Brown, Asia Cotton, and Rodney Dickens were the envy of many of their classmates. It’s one thing to go on a field trip, but to go on a field trip that takes you all the way across the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40, Psalm 24:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Understanding Power And Authority Part 1 Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Sep 19, 2008

Introductory message of the series. Focuses on where our authority comes from and why.

Understanding Power and Authority Part 1 Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 7; Acts 19:11-17 Introduction I grew up in Tennessee and before I left home I stood over 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds. My father was shorter than me and probably weighed 30-40 pounds less fully ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-7, Luke 24:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When It Doesn't Get Better

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 10, 2007

Five things to do when it doesn’t get better

When It Doesn’t Get Better 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - July 8, 2007 *Have you ever been in a situation where there was nothing you could do to make it better? -No matter how hard you tried, how much you spent, how much you argued, how much you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

How To See More Victories For The Cause Of Christ Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Jul 14, 2018

1. We must speak boldly (vs. 8). (How? - With confidence in the Lord and concern for the lost.) 2. We must speak reasonably (vs. 8-9). 3. We must speak persuasively (vs. 8). 4. We must speak persistently (vs. 9-10).

How to See More Victories for the Cause of Christ The Book of Acts - Part 67 Acts 19:8-10 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Revised July 14, 2018 BACKGROUND: *Remember that here in Acts 19, Paul was on his third missionary journey. His team was reaching many people in the city of ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Despite Our Past

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Jun 30, 2012

Message focuses on how Satan uses ou past sins to keep us from helping others come out of theirs.

Serving Despite Our Past Scripture: Matthew 7:3; 5; Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 11:1-6; 12:1-9; 12-13 Introduction: In my previous message from my series “A Slave for Christ” I shared with you more on the life of Paul and how he chose to sell out to Christ after his conversion. I shared ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spirituality And Speed Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 22, 2021

God said, "Quick, leave Jerusalem immediately." God is usually not in a hurry, but in His dealings with Paul in this chapter, the name of the game is speed.

Jamie Buckingham has written 20 of the best Christian book of the past decade. And in one of them called The Last Word he tells of how, even for a Christian sometimes, everything can go rapidly wrong. He lived in a quiet country home, but it was one with an unusual water system. He had a cut off ...read more

God's Instructions For Victory

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jun 29, 2023

This message is about God's instructions that helped me rebound after my job was eliminated.

Good morning, New Light! Many of you know me, but for those who don’t, I am Barry, your pastor’s brother, and I am honored that he asked me to share the message this morning. My message is a very personal one that resulted from a job loss. It was a difficult and uncertain time in my life, and in ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:25, Ephesians 2:1, 2 Chronicles 19:4, 1 Kings 15:11, 2 Chronicles 17:5, 2 Chronicles 20:1-29, Deuteronomy 4:29, Isaiah 43:26, Ephesians 1:12-14, Colossians 1:12-14, Hebrews 4:15-16, 1 Peter 5:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational