Sermons on Rodney Stark:

A Postscript For Preachers Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2014

Paul's closing words summarise what has been presented to Timothy in this letter.

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. “Grace be with you.” [1] It is no secret that I am a news junkie; I fill my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Exaudi

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2014

A study to encourage the People of God to depend on Him when facing battles.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” [1] Exaudi – hear us Lord. The world rests upon Your commandments, O God. It is Your faithfulness to the world which provides stability for the commands You have given, O Lord. It is Your wrath which hides Your commandments ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Planting Trees You Will Never Sit Under

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2014

To build a church, or to build the Kingdom of God, requires a vision that permits others to carry on the work you have begun.

“David said, ‘Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.’ “David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 22:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

A Neglected Principle

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2014

A study of generosity as taught from the Old Testament.

“I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 3:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Giving That Pleases God Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2014

We Christians want to please God in all things. Even in the act of giving, we want to please Him. The Apostle to the Gentiles provides instruction designed to ensure that we please Him in this act of worship.

“In this matter I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

Honouring The Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 12, 2014

What is congregational responsibility to elders? How does a congregation honour the elders?

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’ Do not admit a charge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-20

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

Distributing Our Gifts Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2014

Paul provides guidelines for administering the gifts entrusted to the congregation.

“Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Joyous Mother Of Children

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 10, 2014

A consideration of God's best gifts and our response to His goodness. Weighing society's response and what our response to God should be.

“Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised! “LORD is high above all nations, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 113:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When The Elder Sins Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2014

Elders are to be honoured for their labour. However, elders are to be held accountable before the congregation to discharge their appointment in a faithful manner.

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Christ Is Insulted And Mohammed Is Honoured

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2014

A religion without a saviour that has suffered cannot endure insults to win those who mock. A religion that cannot bear insults must bear the impossible load of upholding the honour of one who did not give his life for others.

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-25

Denomination: Baptist

Planned Giving Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2014

Planning our giving is taught in Scripture; it permits us to anticipate our worship.

“It is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Is A Matter Of Who, Not How

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 1, 2014

If we fail to meet the Lord Christ in worship, our efforts will be futile.

“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” [1] Christians have been fighting ...read more

Scripture: John 4:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Take Your Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2014

To avoid appointing unqualified people to the eldership, the elders must take time to know these candidates.

“Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist