Sermons on Rodney Stark:

One Mediator Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2013

Christ is the One Mediator between God and man. The message seeks to explore the necessity of mediation and the results of God's provision.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

What's A Man To Do? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 21, 2013

The men of a congregation are to provide leadership in public prayer.

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.” [1] Males receive bad press in this present day. Social engineers, many thoroughly indoctrinated in feminist philosophies, appear determined to ensure that little boys will be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:8

Denomination: Baptist

Women Preachers And The Word Of God Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2013

Women and men are spiritually equal before the Lord; however, women are debarred from occupying the role of elder within the congregation of the Lord.

“Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:9-15

Denomination: Baptist

Saved Through Childbearing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2013

Women have a vital role in the life of the saints. Struggling for mastery over men ensures that they cannot fulfil the role God has graciously given.

“Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” [1] The role of women—in society and especially in churches—is a topic fraught with grave danger. The man who dares speak on the biblical role of women ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:15

Denomination: Baptist

Desiring A Noble Task Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2013

Those who seek eldership, provided they are motivated by divine call, desire a noble task.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” [1] Few things give me greater pleasure than seeing God raise up heralds of holiness. I taught preacher boys in Texas for a brief period. Throughout the years of my service before the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Proverb To Guide Our Giving Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2014

Paul quotes a proverb that is instructive for believers as they bring their gifts before the Lord.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” [1] “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Fighting Fundamentalist Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2014

Labels are applied easily--some are undeserved, and some should be embraced. If we stand with Christ and His Word, we can anticipate vilification. Paul obviously expected elders to stand firming on some truths.

“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Daring The Risk Of Reach

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2014

Reach carries risks; but the child of God must always reach for the beautiful and the glorious.

“When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. And he asked them, ‘What are you arguing about with them?’ And someone ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29

Denomination: Baptist

What's In It For Me? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2014

Paul's discussion of the benefits of Christian giving is discussed.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Root Of All Kinds Of Evil Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2014

A stern warning against the pursuit of money from the pend of the Apostle.

1 TIMOTHY 6:10 A ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” [1] We’ve all heard the saying, “Money is the root of all ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Fight The Good Fight Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 24, 2014

Paul instructs the elder in broad strokes to exert himself to excel. In these instructions is a pattern for all who pursue the Master if they will honour Him.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” [1] Six commands are issued in the final statements of this vital missive to a young theologue. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:12

Denomination: Baptist

Declared To Be The Son Of God In Power

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2014

The resurrection of Jesus assures the believer that He is the Son of God in power. The message explores what this means for us as followers of the Risen Christ.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 26, 2014

Study of one reason for suffering experienced by God's people.

“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many ...read more

Denomination: Baptist