Sermons on Rodney Stark:

The Gospel: Shown By Allegory Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Nov 20, 2015

Galatians 4:21-31 is unique. It is the only place in the New Testament to use allegory from the Old Testament. These events are recorded in Geneses 15-21. When Abraham was seventy five years old God promised him he would be the father of a great nation.

One of the most widely read and influential books of all time was written from a jail cell by a Baptist minister. He was in England, in jail for twelve years for preaching without a license when he wrote it. The title of the book is Pilgrims Progress and the author is John Bunyan. There are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:21-31

Denomination: Baptist

Cain And Abel PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 26, 2023

Sacrificial standards, sibling strife, and stewardship, and how to apply these in our daily lives.

Good morning, beloved friends and family. We are gathered here today to delve into the sacred text, to seek wisdom and understanding, to be guided by God's Word in our daily lives. Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the fourth chapter of Genesis. As we prepare to examine this chapter, let's ...read more

Topics: Offerings

There's A Thin Line PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 13, 2023

Explores the profound understanding of Divine Love, distinguishing between love and hate, and discovering who our true neighbors are in God's eyes.

Good morning, beloved family of God. We gather today in the warmth of fellowship, in the light of God's grace, to unwrap the precious gift of His word. Today, we stand on the precipice of a profound understanding, an understanding that will not only illuminate our minds but also invigorate our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:30-31

Topics: Neighbor

Self-Reflection PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

This sermon urges the Church to self-examine, repent, resist worldly influences, and prioritize God-pleasing preaching over crowd-pleasing entertainment.

Welcome, beloved congregation, to this sanctuary where our hearts find solace, our spirits find nourishment, and our faith finds reinforcement. We are gathered here, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in the divine discourse that God has graciously invited us into. We are here, not ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-7

Topics: Self-Examination, Warning

Sober Up PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 22, 2023

This sermon explores discerning right from almost right, listening to God's voice over others, and making decisions based on truth in a world full of misinformation.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be with you again, in this sacred space where we gather, united in our love for God and our desire to know Him more. We're here to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of His Word, to seek His guidance, and to grow in our understanding of His will for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:24

Topics: Power, Influence

The Gift Of Christmas PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 18, 2023

This sermon encourages Christians to live as missionaries, harnessing their divine gifts to spread God's love and truth, as inspired by Matthew 2:1-9.

Good morning, beloved congregation. I stand before you today with a heart brimming with joy, and a message burning with divine truth. We gather here, not as strangers, not as mere attendees, but as a family united by our love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we stand at the threshold of an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-9

Topics: Giver

Cut It Off And Let It Go PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon explores the importance of commitment to God, the cost of complacency in faith, and the significance of circumcision as a covenant in Joshua 5:2-8.

Good morning, beloved family of Christ. Today, we gather here, not as mere spectators but as participants in a grand narrative that is continuously unfolding in our lives. We are here to immerse ourselves in the depth of God's word, to allow it to seep into the very marrow of our being, ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 5:2-8

Topics: Cost, Nothing

Blessed Is The One PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 20, 2024

Explores the sovereignty of God through Jesus' crucifixion, encouraging believers to find peace in God's perfect plans and unwavering love, even amidst adversity.

Welcome, dear friends, to another blessed day in the house of our Lord. Today, we gather not just as individuals, but as a family united in Christ, to reflect upon His word, to share in His truth, and to draw ever closer to His loving embrace. Our hearts are open, our spirits are eager, and our ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:1-39, Mark 15:40-47

Topics: Jesus' Journey, The Cross

Between The Trees PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 1, 2024

Explores the symbolism of the Tree of Life in the Bible, tracing God's enduring love and plan for redemption from Eden to Revelation.

Welcome, beloved family of God. It's a joy to gather together once again, to sit at the feet of our Master, and to learn from His word. In the sanctuary of our shared faith, we find solace, strength, and wisdom. We come together today to bask in the divine illumination of the Scriptures, to draw ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:22-24, John 11:25, Revelation 22:1-4

Topics: Destiny, Life

Three Crosses PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores the profound love and sacrifice of Jesus at the cross, inviting us to find healing, hope, and grace in His crucifixion.

Welcome, beloved, welcome. Pull up a chair and settle in. Here in this sacred space, we gather to engage with the Word of God, to lean in and listen to the whispers of the Holy Spirit. We are here to wrestle with the text, to grapple with its truth, and to allow it to shape us, mold us, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-46

Topics: Three Crosses

Loving The Light PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 2, 2024

This sermon explores God's immense love, our tendency towards darkness, and the call to live in the light of truth, urging self-reflection and transformation.

Good morning, beloved family of God. How wonderful it is to gather together in this sacred space, united by our shared faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. As we open our hearts and minds to the Word of God today, let us remember that each time we come together in His name, we are fulfilling ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-21

Topics: Jesus' Response, Nicodemus

Water To Wine

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jan 11, 2007

If you are going to have a wedding invite Jesus

14-01-07 NR Jesus’ first miracle: Turning water into wine (Jn 2:1-11) Story: Some years ago when Johnny Carson was the host of the well known American chat show: The Tonight Show he interviewed an eight year old boy. The boy was asked to appear because ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Fight Fair Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Mar 2, 2006

Whether married or single, relating well to people includes conflict, so you may as well learn to fight well and to fight fair.

Fight Fair 1. • My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met. —Rodney Dangerfield 2. Soon after our last child left home for college, my husband was resting next to me on the couch with his head in my lap. I carefully removed his glasses. “You know, honey,” I said sweetly, “without your ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:3

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Take Up Your Cross

Contributed by Helen Allen on Mar 12, 2006

The storms and trials of life are part of the process of God building us into his kingdom.

Imagine a situation where a homeless man is begging on the streets of London. A well-dressed man in a stretch limo pulls up next to him and offers him a job as vice-president of his company. You might think that sounds like a fairy tale; but that is exactly what God has done for us. We don’t ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Advent: Shoots And Roots: What It's All About

Contributed by Joe Harding on May 21, 2005

OUT OF COMPLETE INSIGNIFICANCE GOD BRINGS ABOUT HIS REALITY FOR THOSE WHO WOULD CHOOSE HIM!

ADVENT: SHOOTS AND ROOTS: WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT ISAIAH 11: 1-10 DECEMBER 5, 2004 INTRODUCTION: WHO CAME UP WITH THIS? A woman was in the mall doing her Christmas shopping. She was tired of walking through every aisle of every store to find just the right present. She was stressed out by the mounting ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist