Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Grumbling Before A Gracious God Series

Contributed by Monty Newton on Mar 27, 2011

Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace.

Title: Grumbling Before a Gracious God Text: Exodus 17:1-7 Thesis: Our impatience stands in stark contrast to the patience of God who gently woos us to live in anticipation of his grace. Lenten Series: Reflecting, Repenting and Returning to God The Lenten Season is a time for reflection, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 7:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Men, Two Ways, Two Destinies PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 20, 2023

Explores Psalm 1, emphasizing the stark choice between paths of righteousness or wickedness, and the resulting destinies of divine favor or destruction.

Good morning, dear friends. It is a joy to gather together in this sacred space, this sanctuary where we come to meet with God, to hear His Word, and to be transformed by it. Today, we stand on the threshold of a profound exploration of a text that has been a wellspring of wisdom for countless ...read more

Topics: Following God, Blessings

What Christians Think About The Church Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jan 17, 2001

Four word pictures about the church for people investigating the Christian faith.

Back when I was a college intern here at LBF Church, we sent some college students on a short-term missions trip to London. While they did street ministry in London they stayed in an abandoned church in downtown London. You see, London is littered with abandoned churches that were once packed with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18, Romans 12:4-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Thermodynamics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on May 4, 2012

We grow and multiply through faith, oppression, and obedience as God's ancient people did when they experienced harsh treatment in Egypt.

In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village. They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence, and one of them asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” The old man replied, “Nope, only babies.” ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Can You See What I Hear? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

The Gospel rarely appears so lovely, as when it is most oppressed. God’s work is never on such perfect display as it when it is under the greatest trials.

Everyone loves a story. Stories are remarkably powerful things. They stir-up our imaginations and excite our affections. They instruct us and inspire us. They intoxicate and influence us. They linger with us, often becoming more precious and poignant and powerful over time. During His earthly ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9, Matthew 13:18-23, 1 John 5:13

Denomination: Baptist

Building God's Kingdom Together For Eternal Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2025

The sermon calls us to seek God’s kingdom first, embrace repentance, and live out our faith together, trusting God to provide and guide us.

If you came in today with a to-do list longer than a week and a heart full of what-ifs, you’re in the right place. The King is kind, and His words are clear. He speaks to grocery-getters and diaper-changers, to students and seniors, to the weary and the wide-awake. He leans close and whispers a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 28:19-20

Topics: Kingdom Building, Unity, Discipleship

Hesitating To Speak The Truth PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2025

The sermon urges believers to courageously and openly share their faith in Jesus, trusting His strength, even when it feels difficult or uncomfortable.

There’s a hush that can fall over a room when the name of Jesus is mentioned. Have you felt it? In a breakroom, at a family table, on a sideline—your heart lifts to speak and then, suddenly, your mouth feels dry. You care for the people around you. You don’t want to cause friction. You wonder if ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:38

Topics: Truth, Proclamation

Orientation 101 PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 1, 2025

Jesus calls the overlooked blessed, inviting us to trust God in our need and to love others radically, reflecting His kingdom in everyday life.

Friend, if your week has left you weary, your heart hungry, or your eyes wet, you are in good company. Jesus knows the language of low places. He lifts His eyes toward the faces that feel forgotten and speaks blessing. He sees the empty pantry and the tear-stained pillow. He sees the moments you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-31

Topics: All Saints, Sunday

The Power And Importance Of Intercessory Prayer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

God seeks ordinary people willing to pray and stand in the gap, using their faithfulness to bring hope, healing, and change to a broken world.

Some of the greatest moments in the Bible begin with God looking for a person. Not a celebrity. Not a committee. A person. A shepherd with a sling. A teenage girl with a “yes.” A fisherman with a net. Heaven leans over the balcony and asks, “Who will stand? Who will say yes? Who will carry My heart ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30

Topics: Intercession, God's Agents

"Throne Of Judgment; Altar Of Grace"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 23, 2005

God’s holiness reveals man’s sin; His grace forgives. But first the man must come to a stark realization.

It is the aim of the enemy of our souls and therefore the way of this passing world, to blur the lines. To fade black and darken white until all is gray and diluted and washed out. To render truth a matter of irrelevance and to diminish personal identity until the individual is measured as ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-7

Denomination: Orthodox

Fearful Uncertain Crisis Or Powerful Unexpected Opportunity Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 23, 2020

Whenever we are in a dark and difficult time we will find ourselves at the crossroad of a choice between living in fear and uncertainty or embracing the opportunity that always lies within every difficult time.

Fearful Uncertain Crisis Or Powerful Unexpected Opportunity? OKAY - God did it again. He woke me up at 5 am on Thursday morning and once again He impressed upon me that it is still not the right time to launch our verse by verse study of the Gospel of Mark. SO TODAY – March 22, 2020 we will ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, John 16:33, Romans 12:2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Is Either God Or Money Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on May 13, 2016

In a world where we are pushed to define ourselves on the basis of money - and all that money gives - Jesus calls us to make a stark choice.

Message Matthew 6:19-24 "It Is Either God or Money" Who loves math? Subtraction, addition, multiplication, division. Some of us love it but most of us don’t. Because over time some genius decided that having numbers in math was not enough. So they introduced letters. And then you get ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Antidote To The ‘kindly Grandfather’ God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2024

This passage is a stark contrast to the "kindly grandfather" image of God that many had. What are the specific ways that shows up here?

JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE: Many people like to think of God as a kindly grandfather. - Ezekiel 5:1. - There is a popular conception of God as a kindly (and slightly senile) grandfather in the sky. He’s not going to rebuke you for anything you’re doing. He’s going to ask if everyone had a good time. And ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing The Church As The Hope Of The World Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Jul 23, 2020

It is extremely important for us to have visual acuity when it comes to seeing the church as the hope of world.

Seeing The Church As The Hope Of The World #20/20Vision OKAY – I would like to start off with 3 passages of Scripture that will lay the foundation for our conversation this morning, the 4th Sunday of the year 2020. The first is in John chapter 3… Jesus is talking with a religious leader by the ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16-18, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are We Related? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 18, 2025

God adopts us into His family through Jesus, offering true belonging and purpose beyond our natural ties, inviting everyone to a place at His table.

Have you ever noticed how the family refrigerator becomes a gallery of grace? Smudged fingerprints. Crayon drawings. Photos held up by a magnet that looks like a banana. Report cards with coffee stains. A wedding invitation tucked next to a grocery list. That door tells a story. We want to belong. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

Topics: Friends, Family