Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Giants, Grasshoppers, And God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2020

A study of the response of the majority to the land God promised to the people of Israel provides standards for following God in our church and in our lives.

“The men who had gone up with [Caleb] said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’ So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, ‘The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Fair Test For Those Who Think They Prophesy

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 8, 2020

While "prophecy" so-called is popular among a segment of the faithful, the test of prophets is seldom applied. The test of accuracy and adherence to the Word of God must be applied to verify a prophecy.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Reward For Obedience

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 17, 2020

Children are a divine blessing. Contemporary views depreciate the blessing of children, but even a cursory review of the Word reveals that children are a blessing from the hand of the Lord. Children are given to those with whom He is pleased.

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

Benefits Of A Thankful Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 4, 2018

A message for Thanksgiving to encourage listeners to consider the value of a grateful heart.

“Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” [1] “The darkest hour is just before the dawn,” is the claim preserved ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:22-23

Denomination: Baptist

A Furnace With No Fire (*) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 12, 2018

Christ's message to the Church in Ephesus speaks to churches today that are beginning to lose their ardour. His message is a clarion call to stir up the flames, to stoke the fire.

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil but have tested those who call ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Suffering Guaranteed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 18, 2018

A study of the Risen Saviour's message to the Church in Smyrna. A study of the cost of following Him as Master.

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Church At The Mouth Of Hell Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 25, 2018

A brief study of the church in Pergamum in which believers are commended for serving even where Satan dwells. However, toleration of evil people was already contaminating the congregation.

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Jezebel In The Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 1, 2018

What happens when a church begins to tolerate just a little bit of evil? The study is a consideration of this particular question.

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 10, 2018

A Remembrance Day message to encourage the people of God to stand firm in the grace we have received.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? “When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Inherited Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 16, 2018

To accomplish the task of evangelising our world, we must work as though our congregation was new. New churches have a vibrancy that can be lost as we grow older. In time, if we don't take care, we will have an "inherited church" rather than a vibrant, living congregation.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Pushing The Boundaries Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 23, 2018

Expanding the Kingdom of God during this Church Age is a mandate that is still incumbent upon all churches. If the doors to continued expansion are closing, it may be because we are disobedient, or it may presage the closing of this present age.

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

For This Purpose I Have Come Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 1, 2018

The Advent series this year explores the instances when the Master spoke of the purpose in His coming. This is the first message in this Advent series as Jesus spoke of the purpose of His coming.

“‘Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.’ The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it ...read more

Scripture: John 12:27-36

Denomination: Baptist

I Have Come Into The World As Light Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 8, 2018

A study of the impact of Jesus as light in our darkened world.

“Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge ...read more

Scripture: John 12:44-50

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes It's Like A Jungle [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2020

Studying the response of Jesus to the devil's temptation lays a foundation for the child of God to withstand temptation.

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist