Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Fanatics For The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2007

God calls His people to take seriously the instruction of the Word. In fact, He calls us to be fanatics for the Faith.

JAMES 1:19-27 FANATICS FOR THE FAITH “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

You Cannot Outrun The Law Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 14, 2008

The Royal Law, though neglected, is nevertheless the standard by which Christian conduct is judged.

JAMES 2:8-13 YOU CANNOT OUTRUN THE LAW “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole ...read more

Scripture: James 2:8-13

Denomination: Baptist

One Thing Jesus Could Not Do

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 22, 2008

Jesus’ tormentors taunted Him, saying, "He saved others; He cannot save Himself." They unknowingly spoke the truth concerning Him. Indeed, He could not save Himself ... if we were to be saved.

MATTHEW 27:42 ONE THING JESUS COULD NOT DO “He saved others; He cannot save himself.” Boisterous, mocking religious men surrounded the cross. Laughing at the helpless man hanging suspended between life and death, they belched out vile, venomous scorn. Among the taunts they hurled at Him as He ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:42

Denomination: Baptist

Real Faith Is Never Passive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2008

Faith in Christ the Lord is life-changing, and the changes are evident to all people.

JAMES 2:14-17 REAL FAITH IS NEVER PASSIVE “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Were You Thinking Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2008

God holds Christians responsible to ensure that they are prepared to worship before they approach His Table. We prepare through sharing our lives with our fellow believers.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:27 WHATEVER WERE YOU THINKING? “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” “Whatever was he thinking?” That is the question on the minds of many people who read of the fall of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27

Denomination: Baptist

A Worrisome Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2008

The Reformers were right when they said, "Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone." James compels us to example this essential truth.

JAMES 2:14-26 A WORRISOME TRUTH “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-26

Denomination: Baptist

Orthodoxy Of The Devil Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2008

If we believe there is a God, our faith is no better than that of the demons. They believe God is one, and they shudder. The message explores the faith of the demons, encouraging us to have the faith of saints.

JAMES 2:18-19 ORTHODOXY OF THE DEVIL “Someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Though orthopraxy is absolutely ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Schizophrenia Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2008

It is impossible to live a life characterized by blessing God while simultaneously cursing other believers. To attempt to so live is to demonstrate that one is suffering spiritual schizophrenia.

JAMES 3:7-12 SPIRITUAL SCHIZOPHRENIA “Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who ...read more

Scripture: James 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Completing The Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2008

The message is intended to provide encouragement for a new congregation to remember the task before them. It is a call to see the magnitude of the labour and the greatness of God.

TITUS 1:5, 10-2:1 COMPLETING THE WORK “I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order… “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A New Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2008

A Communion meditation warning us against substituting ritual for relationship.

MATTHEW 26:26-29 A NEW COVENANT “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Greet The Friends By Name

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 9, 2008

The message encourages the people of God to capture again the attitude of friendship within the assembly.

3 JOHN 13-15 GREET THE FRIENDS BY NAME “I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.” John’s third letter is to addressed to a ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

One Year Later

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2008

A message urging a young church to emulate the Thessalonian Christians as they anticipate the future.

1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-10 ONE YEAR LATER “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Denomination: Baptist

Demonic Wisdom Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 23, 2008

Many churches operate with demonic wisdom rather than with heavenly wisdom. James confronts us, calling us to recognise the evil that can destroy us.

JAMES 3:13-16 DEMONIC WISDOM “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Wisdom Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2008

What does wisdom from above look like? What would happen in a church displaying such heavenly wisdom? James gives us the answer to these questions.

JAMES 3:17, 18 DIVINE WISDOM “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown by those who make peace” James called for people of wisdom to identify themselves. Those who ...read more

Scripture: James 3:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Confession Of Participation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 5, 2008

We speak of Communion, but what does it mean to participate in the life of the Body?

1 CORINTHIANS 10:16, 17 A CONFESSION OF PARTICIPATION “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

Denomination: Baptist