Sermons on Rodney Stark:

God’s Enduring Word Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 3, 2011

The message is a study of the permanence of God’s Word.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Among the many comforting words spoken by the Master for the encouragement of His people, the words of this text must assuredly rank among the most precious. Many Christians consider them seminal assurance. The comfort derived ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:35

Denomination: Baptist

Freedom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 13, 2011

Christians are free in Christ; they are no longer to permit themselves to be enslaved by any appetite or attitude.

“The free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The True Vine Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 5, 2010

What are the implications for us as Christians when Jesus presents Himself as the True Vine? The message explores this truth as we endeavour to encourage believers to produce the fruit of righteousness.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Depression

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2010

Everyone is subject to depression. When depressed, how shall the child of God respond? Surely, there are answers given in the Word, and we now look to that divine Word.

Dr. Tim LaHaye claims to have asked over one hundred thousand people among his audiences if there were any who have never been depressed. Among one hundred thousand people so questioned not one has ever responded to his query by stating “I have never been depressed.” It would actually appear that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Muscular Christianity

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2010

The Faith which Paul taught is the Faith that is needed for Christianity to thrive in our day. That Faith is nothing less than muscular Christianity.

Christianity has been feminised in our day. I don’t mean that men are unwelcome among the churches or that there is overt feminist anger toward men. What I do mean is that acting manly—accepting responsibility to provide guidance and to build up the penitent, maintaining vigilance while standing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Survive When I Am So Lonely

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 26, 2010

When our feelings tell us we are alone, how shall the Christian respond. Reviewing David’s life when he was fleeing from Saul provides insight into a godly response to loneliness.

“With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him. “When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: there ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 142:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Freedom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2010

The message explores some of the implications of our freedom in Christ, encouraging believers to walk as free people.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. “Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

When Death Has Taken My Loved One

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2010

Though unnatural, death comes to all. How shall we respond to death? We explore this neglected subject by looking at an incident in the ministry of Ezekiel.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, behold, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you at a stroke; yet you shall not mourn or weep, nor shall your tears run down. Sigh, but not aloud; make no mourning for the dead. Bind on your turban, and put your shoes on your feet; ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Cope With My Own Mortality?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 17, 2010

In the brief moment we call now, we may either accomplish some great thing for the cause of Christ, or we may exist. If we choose the latter, we sacrifice marvellous opportunities to serve with distinction.

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

When I Am Deserted!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 23, 2010

Despite feeling alone, the child of God is never deserted. David enables us to explore the comfort of God’s presence with His people, even in the day of battle.

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’ Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Boss Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2010

If Christ is the head of the church, no bullying can ever be justified to bring about the result a leader desires. We must permit the Spirit of God to rule the church, and not mere mortals.

“I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Missionary Respected By All Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2010

Generally, those appointed to the Master’s service should be respected by all Christians, though that seldom works out in practise. The Apostles, the prophets and even those who have served as preachers of the Word, are often maligned and despised by the

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.” Modern Christians are poorly ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Portrait Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 1, 2010

If we would know what God is like, we must discover the Triune nature He has revealed through His Word.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” You have undoubtedly heard the story of the little boy who was colouring at the kitchen table. When his mother asked him what he was drawing, he informed her that he was drawing a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Denomination: Baptist

A Godly View Of Motherhood

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 9, 2010

An exposition of the 113th Psalm that concludes with one of the strongest demonstrations of God’s grace and goodness--mothers.

PSALM 113:1-9 A GODLY VIEW OF MOTHERHOOD “Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised! “The Lord is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 113:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Surviving A Lousy Start In Life

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2010

Jephthah had everything going against him from the beginning of his life, yet he become one of the Judges of Israel. A review of his life offers encouragement to anyone who imagines they have everything against them and nothing going for them.

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah. And Gilead’s wife also bore him sons. And when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, ‘You shall not have an inheritance in our father’s house, for ...read more

Scripture: Judges 11:1-11

Denomination: Baptist