Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Remembering You Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2015

Comfort in the dark days come from remembering especially the love and the commitment of those with whom we have shared in the battles of the Faith.

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

How Do You Define Success? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 28, 2015

Learning from Jesus how to be successful in His work.

“Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Denomination: Baptist

For Christ's Sake?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 7, 2015

The life of the disciples must be lived for Christ's sake and not for the disciple's comfort.

“[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Advantage Of A Godly Home Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 15, 2015

Children raised in a godly environment are advantaged in learning of Christ the Lord.

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” [1] The way of salvation is taught by godly people; but the Spirit of God must make the dead individual alive in Christ. We cannot ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Pagans Happy (For A While)

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2018

Godliness exalts a nation. Ungodliness condemns a nation. A study of the migration of godly people from a nation turning from righteousness and the impact their leaving had on that nation and the nation to which the immigrated.

“The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived. For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the LORD, and he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 11:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Under Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 27, 2018

Jonah's prayer from the belly of a fish serves to encourage Christians to pray, especially when under water.

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying “‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

When "Over There" Looks Better Than "Over Here"

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 5, 2018

Meditations on Christian living as I near the end of days. Looking to what is coming enables me to weather the storms of life and to draw renewed strength from the Risen Son of God.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

What My Wife Taught Me

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2018

The message is an exposition of Paul's instruction concerning wives, reflecting over fifty years of marriage. Our world has divided into warring tribes and factions, and the conflict has entered into the marriage relationship, which dishonours God.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” [1] It is tragically sad ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-24

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2018

An exposition of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer presented in John 17.

“[Jesus] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

Insulting God In Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2018

A study of Jesus' final rebuff of the temptations He faced after His baptism. He exulted in the worship of the Father. Just so, if we will be successful at rebuffing the tempter, it will be because we resort to the Living God, worshipping Him only.

“Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” [1] We know how to worship; we have the act down pat. Worship is a Psalm, an invocation, two hymns, prayer, two more hymns, a sermon and a closing hymn. Simple! Right? But, what if what ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When We Forget God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 3, 2018

God warns against forgetting Who He is and what He has done. The example provided is Israel during the wilderness wanderings. The message explores this concept, especially in relationship to the prayer life of Christians.

“[Israel] soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.” “We want what we want; and we want it when we want it.” This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

The God Whom We Know

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2018

What do we know about God? Does what we know influence our response to Him and to others? These are the issues explored in this message.

“We know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [1] Few portions of the Word are calculated to give the Christian pause as is this one verse. The Living God does not ignore ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Private Worship Is Essential For A Healthy Relationship With God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2018

Though public worship is vital to the growth of a congregation, private worship must never be neglected. In fact, private worship is essential if we will worship corporately. The message explores by examining an incident in the life of Gideon.

“As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped.” [1] Pastors will not have spent much time in the pastorate until they learn the awful truth that preparing for worship is such intense work and so demanding that worship may often be ignored! It is a tragic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Bowling Alone: Dying For Lack Of Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2018

The aloneness that has become a hallmark of our modern age presents a great opportunity for the people of God to present the message of life. As Christ calls people to rest in Him, the churches must echo that call.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [1] Robert Putnam raised a red flag for people living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist