Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Where Is God When I Hurt? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 22, 2012

Does God care when His people suffer? Does He desert them in their sorrow? A message to encourage the suffering saint by redirecting our gaze to the Master in our sorrow.

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Teaching About Christ Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2012

The distinguishing doctrine for the Christian Faith is the teaching about Christ. Identifying that doctrine and understanding its meaning is vital to the Faith.

“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:4-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Will Heaven Be Like? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2012

A brief examination of heaven as revealed in the Word of God.

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Betrayal Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2013

How we respond when we fail God reveals who we are.

“Jesus … went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2013

When Christ calls us to be with Him, He honours us. He does not treat us as we deserve should we fail Him, but He is glorified in raising us up and employing us to His glory.

“Jesus went with [his disciples] to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to [them], ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

Alive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2013

What does it mean to believers to say that Christ is alive forevermore?

“[Jesus] laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” [1] On one occasion, returning from a fishing trip I had stopped for gas. As the attendant filled the tank, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Sanctified Diplomacy Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 15, 2009

Without prayer and watchfulness, the divine armour we are provided is rendered ineffective.

Put on the whole armour of God, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

No Empty Word

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 22, 2009

The Word of God is the source of life, also giving length of days to those who walk by it.

“Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, ‘Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:44-47

Denomination: Baptist

A Promise Forgotten In Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 28, 2009

The Virgin Birth of the Master was fulfilment of a promise forgotten in time.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Baptist

Messiah Was Presented, But Few Were Ready Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 6, 2009

It is startling that so few people anticipated the Advent of God’s Messiah. However, few look for His presence today; and few will be anticipating His return.

LUKE 2:22-38 MESSIAH WAS PRESENTED, BUT FEW WERE PREPARED “When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

Denomination: Baptist

What The Magi Found Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 13, 2009

When the Wise Men arrived at the house where Mary tended the Christ Child, what did they find? If we seek the same One they sought, we also may anticipate finding what they found.

MATTHEW 2:9-11 WHAT THE MAGI FOUND “After listening to the king, [the wise men] went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Cosmic Combat Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 19, 2009

At the birth of Christ a great war was initiated. Few of us are aware of the conflict, but it will continue until He reigns on the earth.

*Revelation 12:1-13:1* “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

No Greater Love Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2009

Christ’s birth is an example of sacrifice that is lived out in the lives of those who follow Him.

*1 John 4:10-12* “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2010

The apostolic command to be filled with the Spirit is a corporate responsibility of each congregation, and not simply an individual command. Paul instructs the churches what Spirit-filled worship looks like in this text.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Ready For His Return

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2010

Anticipation of the Master’s return generates a sense of anticipation in His people.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:29-51

Denomination: Baptist