Sermons on Rodney Stark:

A Spirit-Filled Life PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 19, 2025

The sermon encourages believers to rely on the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to transform daily life, bringing peace, unity, and Christlike character.

Some of us walked in today with hearts that feel hurried and hands that feel heavy. You’ve prayed for peace but still feel the pull. You’ve promised yourself patience and then snapped before breakfast. You’ve wanted joy and found only jitters. Friend, you’re not alone. What if, in the middle of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-25, Colossians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, John 14:26-27

Topics: Holy Spirit, Guidance, Spiritual Life

God's Chosen One PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

God calls ordinary, imperfect people to carry His name, assuring us that our past doesn’t disqualify us and His presence empowers our purpose.

Some of us walked in today with a smile that hides a sigh. Your hands shook a little when you poured the coffee. Your thoughts carried old regrets like heavy suitcases. You wonder, “Could God still use me? Does Heaven have a purpose for someone like me?” Friend, lift your chin. The heart of God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:15

Topics: Chosen Vessel

Christian Civics 101 Series

Contributed by Timothy Peck on Jun 11, 2001

The most important principle about our relationship to our government.

(Note: This sermon was introduced with the song "Fellow Prisoners" by Michael Card from the Soul Anchor CD and a slide show about persecution of Christians in the world). It’s sobering to realize that so many people who confess the name of Jesus in the world today are being persecuted for their ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christian Accountability

Contributed by Bishop Prof. Julius Soyinka on Apr 11, 2018

The stark reality of Scripture is that every person, Christian and non-Christian, is accountable before a sovereign God, and will one day have to bow before Christ.

CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY Study Text: Romans 14: 9 - 13 Introduction: - The stark reality of Scripture is that every person, Christian and non-Christian, is accountable before a sovereign God (Rom. 3:9-19), and will one day have to bow before Christ (Phil. 2:9-11). - Jesus said, “From everyone who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:9-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

God In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Aug 26, 2009

(I took Rodney Buchanan’s sermon and reworked it for this message). God, the Word, became flesh. Do we of flesh become the Word?

Reading of text and prayer. Intro: Elder Rhee’s work of writing the entire New Testament on a 4x6 foot scroll in such a way that the words actually form a beautiful image of Christ and 27 angels surrounding him. (I have a print of Rhee’s image of Christ using every word from the gospel of Mark ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When The Stone Is Moved… And Life Is Opened

Contributed by Brad Bailey on Apr 14, 2023

When the Stone is Moved… and Life is Opened Brad Bailey – Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023

When the Stone is Moved… and Life is Opened Brad Bailey – Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023 Today we gather around the event that opened up life as we know it. An event which shook every life around it... and broke out through the region...and ultimately across the whole world. And today... I want to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:14, Matthew 27:50-51, Romans 8:22, Romans 8:20, Revelation 21:3-4, Revelation 22:3, Luke 24:5-7, 1 Peter 1:3-4, Mark 16:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:15, 1 Corinthians 15:26, 1 Corinthians 15:36-37, 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 1 Corinthians 15:55  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Una Iglesia Victoriosa PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 4, 2025

Jesus Himself builds and sustains His church, assuring us that our hope, strength, and victory rest securely in His unchanging promise and power.

Hay momentos en la vida de la iglesia en los que necesitamos recordar, con el corazón en la mano y la mirada en el Maestro, quién edifica esta familia de fe. Jesús no dejó su obra a la deriva. Él habló con claridad, con candor, con cariño: “edificaré mi iglesia”. Cuando el Salvador pronunció esas ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Topics: Hades, Church, Victory

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Our Message Series

Contributed by Terry Frazier on Jul 7, 2012

There needs to be clear and stark differences between how the world lives and how Christians live. This sermon deals with the differences between the Christians' message and the message that world teaches.

Things That Make Christians Different From The World: Our Message When it comes to the many things that make Christians different from the world, there are few that are more important or life changing than our message. What is our message? The message that we have to tell is nothing less than the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Gossip V Grace

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jan 22, 2025

Gossip -that little chatter that can sadden, hurt, even destroy someone. Today we'll look at how it stands in stark contrast to grace

1. Introduction Hey everyone! Today, I want to talk about something we all encounter in our daily lives – gossip. You know that little chatter that can sadden, hurt, even destroy someone. And we’ll look at how it stands in stark contrast to grace. So, let’s dive in! Imagine a church community ...read more

Scripture: James 3:3-12, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 18:21

Abortion: Where From Here?

Contributed by William Mouser on Jan 31, 2006

On the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, this sermon points to the stark certainty of eventual judgment and also to specific actions which Christians may take in view of this.

Psalms 11 & 130, Leviticus 18:21-30, 1 John 3:1-3, Matt. 18:1-7, 10-14 Abortion: Where from here? Today is the 33rd anniversary of the Supreme Court decision known as Roe verses Wade, the decision that declared that our national constitution contained within it an entitlement for any woman in our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Send Me

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Apr 10, 2008

total commitment to follow the Lord is echoed in the words of Isaiah, "Send Me."

Send Me TCF Sermon Text April 6, 2008 Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" Here’s the prophet Isaiah, fresh from an encounter with the living God, demonstrating a willingness to commit ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Psalm 1 "Two Paths, Two Destinations"

Contributed by Joey Nelson on May 4, 2006

Psalm 1 tells the tale of two lives being lived in stark contrast of one another. It is the tale of life of the "God-Centered" or the Godly Life and the life of the "Self-Centered" or the Ungodly Life.

INTRODUCTION Opening Statement: [Music Video - Two sets of Jones’] Transition: We live in a world that is filled with contrasts . . . Rich and Poor; Big and Little; Good and Bad; Black and White; Day and Night; Light and Darkness. Just as this music presentation sets before us two paths, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Palm Sunday - King Of Mercy

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Mar 31, 2012

Palm Sunday is a day of stark contrast. An all powerful King enters on a colt, is rebuked by sinners who think themselves saints, and weeps over the city that is about to join in his execution.

Dakota Community Church April 1, 2012 Palm Sunday King of Mercy Today is Palm Sunday the day on the church calendar when we traditionally mark Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem beginning the final week of His life and leading up to the crucifixion on Good Friday followed by the glorious ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Mennonite

The Movement Begins Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 26, 2020

This message is about the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost. And we will look at - the mission, the message, the means and the movement.

The Movement Begins! In the beginning God (the One who is, and was and is to come) created EVERYTHING… HE created; • Galaxies – millions of them • Stars – trillions • HE created our planet and He filled it with breath-taking beauty… sunrises, sunsets, oceans, mountains, rivers, streams, forests… ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:38-41, Acts 2:42-47

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christmas Is For Purity Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 15, 2021

Purity is to be prized by categorically every one of God’s children. The last text I read puts it in stark terms: If you don’t prize purity, then you’re not a child of God.

In a California neighborhood in 2009 one resident decorated his lawn with a depiction of Jesus shooting Santa Claus with a double-barrel shotgun. Fox News had reported that Jesus points the weapon at Santa’s dead body while Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pick-up truck. The creator, Ron ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:5, Romans 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist