Sermons on Rodney Stark:

God's Purpose For The Family

Contributed by Tim Smith on Nov 3, 2013

This morning I want to ask somes question: What is the purpose of a family? What is the purpose of your family? And are you working toward trying to fulfill a clearly defined purpose for your family? Are you seeking God’s purpose for your family?

God's Purpose for the Family Malachi 2:13-16 In 1955, the norm for the American family was a husband and wife and 2.2 kids. No longer. Today, the American Family is being totally redefined. Family can mean almost anything and include any number of configurations. It can mean one man and one woman, ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:13-16

Denomination: Methodist

It’s Time To Tear Down The Gates Of Hell

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Dec 10, 2004

The Sermon assures of victory over the forces of evil.

In our text, Jesus used the terms gates and hell to refer to the powers of evil forces and the physical death. Jesus taught his followers that they were to confront the gates of hell. Christ spoke these words in Caesarea Phillippi, a pagan city that was filled with moral corruption. History ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Baptist

Love And Respect Series

Contributed by Vince Miller on Oct 3, 2019

It should not come as a surprise that men and women are wired differently and thus have differing needs. While we all need love and respect, men and women each distinctively need more of one than the other.

We Both Need Something It should not come as a surprise that men and women are wired differently and thus have differing needs. While we all need love and respect, men and women each distinctively need more of one than the other. Women by nature want to know that their husbands love and adore them. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:33

Denomination: Baptist

Giant Sized Challenges

Contributed by Bob Joyce on Aug 17, 2007

Seeing our challenges from God’s perspective instead of our own.

Numbers 13, Joshua 14 Max Lucado, in his book, In the Eye of the Storm, opens his book with the story of Chippy the Parakeet. Chippy’s cage was being cleaned out one day by his owner when this particular event occurred. Chippy’s owner had the vacuum cleaner out...had the attachments removed...and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

What’s In A Name Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2010

How will the child of God be known throughout eternity? The Word of God hints at the transformation and testifies to the importance of God’s knowledge of who we are.

Your name is important. Perhaps your name reveals the aspirations your parents had for you; perhaps it speaks of their honour for some other person who bore the name before you. Whatever their intention may have been in naming you as they did, your name has come to reflect your character, for ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:15, 3 John 1:1

Denomination: Baptist

Mother's Day

Contributed by Stephen Todd on Apr 19, 2003

This sermon was a challenge to paarents to live out their faith.

Mother’s Day May 13, 2001 When we come to Mother’s Day each year there are two things that concern me. 1. After five years of mother’s day messages, what do you say that is different than before? 2. Having never been a mother, I am careful about doing any criticizing. Sorry men, but being a ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 23:15-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Pain Of Christmas

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 27, 2008

We have cleaned Christmas up. We have sanitized and glamorized it. Just as there was no room in the Inn, there is no room for the pain of Christmas?

“The Pain of Christmas?” Angel choirs. . . glowing stars, wise men with gifts . . . animals peering reverently into the stall-turned birthing room in awe . . . mother and father raptured by sheer joy. Christmas. The clean version. The sanitized and glamorized TV special account. Just as there ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus And Undaunted! Series

Contributed by Larry Vollink on Apr 2, 2021

Jesus taught his disciples to be 'undaunted' and showed examples of how HE was undaunted. Listen!

Last year, in Grand Rapids, Cornerstone Christian University displayed on a well traveled highway, a billboard with the huge word, "UNDAUNTED", and you had to read the small print as you got closer, "Live your life with meaning!, and attend Cornerstone!" Undaunted living can ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Desert Series

Contributed by Dr John Singarayar Svd on Dec 1, 2023

It is an opportunity to rediscover our absolute dependence on God, acknowledging that our hearts are restless until they find rest in Him.

In the poignant narrative of today's gospel, we find ourselves in the presence of John the Baptist, standing resolute in the vast expanse of the desert. His impassioned plea echoes across the arid landscape, reaching the ears of the people of Judea. With unwavering conviction, he implores them ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-8

Denomination: Other

The Curse Of Unrighteous Wealth. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 7, 2024

We've all heard the saying, "easy come, easy go."

We've all heard the saying, "easy come, easy go." But when it comes to wealth acquired through unrighteous means, this phrase takes on a whole new meaning. Unrighteous wealth, earned through deceit, exploitation, or dishonesty, may bring temporary comfort and luxury, but it ultimately ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:26-27, Proverbs 10:2

There Is Death, But There Is Forgiveness And Healing

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 31, 2024

God’s Word is more powerful than anything the profiteers of death can throw at us.

December 28 Holy Innocents 2024 Voters in the state of Florida awoke on November 5 of 2024 to discover that their fellow Floridian Donald J. Trump had defeated his opponent not only in their state but popularly in the entire country, and decisively by electoral vote count. They also found that, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18, Psalm 124:2-8

Denomination: Catholic

The Sins Of Sodom And Gomorrah. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Apr 6, 2025

In this sermon, we'll explore the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, their consequences, and what we can learn from this biblical account.

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the most infamous tales in the Bible, serving as a cautionary warning about the consequences of sin and God's judgment. In this sermon, we'll explore the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, their consequences, and what we can learn from this biblical ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:31-32

The Gospel Of John: An Introduction Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Dec 31, 2021

Arguably with no other book, is there a larger disconnect between academic, scholarly understanding, and the way the church reads it. The intro is designed to bridge part of that gap, and explain my own approach to John.

First of all, a note on my approach: This series uses a literary/narrative approach to John, along the lines proposed by scholars like Adele Berlin, Frank Kermode, Robert Alter, or Charles Talbert, to name just a few. I assume that the author/narrator of John-- who I call "AJ"-- had ...read more

Scripture: John 9:22, John 12:42-43, John 16:1, John 2:23, John 6:66  (view more)  (view less)

A Living Hope That Will Sustain Us In Times Of Sorrow

Contributed by Rodney Johnson Sr., on Dec 26, 2002

In a world of hopelessness and despair, there is a God in whom we can trust.

Introduction: We live in a world that is filled with despair and hopelessness. Unemployement, weapons of mass destruction, confused government, snipper terror, travel crisis and even trouble in the church. Hope in the bible has multiple meanings. It is a favorable and confident expectation. It has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-8

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Prophecies Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 31, 2007

The Christmas story carries with it deep theology and fascinating prophecies that were fulfilled.

Christmas Prophecies (tropical) 1. Lin Smalec writes, "I read recently about a children’s Sunday School class that heard the Christmas story and sang the beloved Christmas carol, “Silent Night”. They were then asked to draw what they thought the nativity scene might have looked like. One little ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Independent/Bible