Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Keys To The Kingdom Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 2, 2011

Binding and loosing have served to divide many of the saints of God. What did Jesus mean by "the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven?" The questions seek an answer.

“When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

Why Belong Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 9, 2011

Those who believe are taught the value of church membership.

“Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptised, and that day about three thousand people were added… And the Lord was adding to their number every day those who were being saved.” , Charles Spurgeon told of his intense desire to be a member of a local church during one particular sermon. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Baptism Commanded Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 15, 2011

Those who are saved, and only those who are saved, are commanded to identify with the Master in baptism.

“When [those listening] heard [Peter’s command] they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-41

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

A Regenerate Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2011

The doctrine of the church reflects our view of Christ and His Word.

“Many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Regenerate Church Membership Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2011

The congregation of the Lord is to be composed of redeemed individuals.

“Those who received [Peter’s] word were baptised, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. ”They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

Pornography! What’s The Big Deal?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2009

God calls his people to be pure. We cannot succumb to the allure of contemporary culture, approving what is done in society if we will honour the Lord.

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin? What would be my portion from God above and my heritage from the Almighty on high? Is not calamity for the unrighteous, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does not he see my ways and number all my steps? “If I ...read more

Scripture: Job 31:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Not A Fan, But A Follower

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 24, 2011

An exploration of Jesus’ call to discipleship.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

When They Believed, They Were Baptised

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 30, 2011

In the New Testament account, those who believed, and only those who believed, were baptised.

“There was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ And they paid ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

On The Death Of Usama Bin Laden

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 7, 2011

Meditations on how Christians should respond to the death of a wicked man.

“As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die?” Following a busy day last Sunday, I relaxed with Lynda by watching television in the evening. I was ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:11

Denomination: Baptist

Baptising Disciples Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2011

Christ our Master has commanded us to baptise disciples rather than baptising rebels to make them disciples.

“Jesus came and said to [the disciples], ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

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