Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Prayer + Faith = Healing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

When should we pray for health? When should we confess our sins? James compels his readers to think about their relationship to one another as a cause of their discomfort.

JAMES 5:13-16a PRAYER + FAITH = HEALING “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sins Of Omission Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

While we are careful to avoid doing what is wrong, we often neglect doing what is right.

JAMES 4:17 SINS OF OMISSION ”Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” It is one thing to be ignorant of what is expected and to thus offend; it is quite another thing to know what is right and yet fail to do it. We evangelical Christians are familiar with the ...read more

Scripture: James 4:17

Denomination: Baptist

Rich Christians In A Guilded Age Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

James confronts those who pursue wealth to assess the cost to their spiritual health.

JAMES 5:1-6 RICH CHRISTIANS IN A GILDED AGE “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Be Patient! The Master Will Soon Be Here!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

James teaches Christians to be patient, because they know that Jesus is coming soon.

JAMES 5:7-11 BE PATIENT! THE MASTER WILL SOON BE HERE! “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

"Yes!" Means Yes. "No!" Means No. Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

JAMES 5:12 “YES” MEANS YES; “NO” MEANS NO! “Above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.” “His word is his bond” was a common saying about people of integrity ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12

Denomination: Baptist

Life Happens Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

James is encouraging his readers to pray. In fact, James’ concluding remarks consistently take the reader back to the need to pray. The first thing we should do is frequently the last thing done.

JAMES 5:13, 14 LIFE HAPPENS “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” James is drawing his brief, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Courtesy At The Lord’s Table Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

A message to remind worshippers that the Lord’s Table demands that we treat one another with respect.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:33, 34 COURTESY AT THE LORD’S TABLE “My brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.” “Love one ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

Faith That Fails

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2009

A message that seeks to encourage believers to have faith in Christ, and not faith in faith or faith in themselves.

JOHN 5:39-47 FAITH THAT FAILS “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God ...read more

Scripture: John 5:39-47

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Live With My Handicap?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2010

Does God care when we are unable to compete as others compete? Does it matter to Him when we are handicapped? A study of the life of an obscure man provides hope and instruction for each of us to look to God even when we are handicapped.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Will A Good God Really Send Bad People To Hell?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 21, 2010

God warns of eternal separation, not to intimidate mankind, but to reveal His love and compassion for sinful man. The message examines the necessity of divine judgement of sin and God’s provision so that no individual need be separated from Him and His l

REVELATION 20:11-15 WILL A GOOD GOD REALLY SEND BAD PEOPLE TO HELL? “I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Doctrinal Deviation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2010

God charges the church with the responsibility to avoid those who cause division and create obstacles. It is the responsibility of the entire assembly, and not that of the elders alone.

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

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

Obedience Versus The Wisdom Of This Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 31, 2010

Christians are called to obedience. In fact, God equates obedience to His will with love for Him. To fail to obey Him is to demonstrate that we love self more than we love Him.

DEUTERONOMY 5:32, 33; 6:24, 25 OBEDIENCE VERSUS THE WISDOM OF THIS AGE “You shall be careful … to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Convinced And Convicted In Worship Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 25, 2012

Learning to live with one another in harmony while distinguishing between what is detrimental and what is neutral is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian life.

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-12

Denomination: Baptist