Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Whatever Were You Thinking? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2021

If we dishonour Christ by treating the Lord's Table with disdain, we can anticipate His discipline.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” [1] “Whatever was he thinking?” That is the question that was no doubt on the minds of many Canadians when they first read of the fall of Colin ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27

Denomination: Baptist

How Can Anything That Feels So Right Be So Wrong?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 12, 2021

A Valentine's Day message emphasising the sacred nature of marriage.

“God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28

Denomination: Baptist

It's Just A One-Night Stand! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 19, 2021

Though adultery is often justified in our world, there is no justification for this infidelity. God holds the adulterer to account, especially if that one bears the Name of Christ.

“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

And God Created Mosquitos

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 30, 2020

A study of the effects of the fall of our first parents and the ramifications for creation. The follower of Christ lives in anticipation of the restoration of all things.

“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Creation was “very good.” God Himself declared this to be the case. Yet, if in spite of citronella candles, mosquito coils, or insect repellant liberally applied to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:31

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Judge A Nation?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2020

Through the Prophet Amos, God provides the reasons for judging the nations around Judah and Israel, as well as His own people. The reasons for His judgement stands against nations to this day.

“Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Death Of A Nation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 16, 2020

When God says, "Enough!" how shall His people respond? The response of God's people to the sinful drift of our nation should lead us to grieve for our fellow man and plead with them to turn to Christ and His righteousness.

“Righteous are you, O LORD, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? You plant them, and they take root; they grow and produce fruit; you are near in their mouth and far from their heart. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Mixed Multitude Among Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 24, 2020

Allowing unsaved individuals to provide guidance for the church invites destruction of the Faith.

“A mixed multitude also went up with them” [EXODUS 12:38a]. [1] The world is attending our services. That is the good news! The bad news is that the world is attending our services. Churches of this day tend to order services of worship of the Living God with a view of accommodating the desires ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:38

Denomination: Baptist

Creator? Or Angel? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2019

Christ is creator of heaven and earth. He is not, as some, even in ancient times contended, an angel. Christ was not created; He is Creator. Therefore, He is worthy to be praised and worshipped.

“‘You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Refuge From God's Wrath Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2019

Jesus became a man to deliver us from God's wrath. His birth does speak of divine justice, of heavenly mercy and God's love. But, that love delivers us from judgement. If we reject the love of God in Christ the Lord, nothing remains but God's wrath.

“I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Christmas Hymn

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2019

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul appears to cite a hymn to extol Christ as Lord. The message, designed to be delivered on Christmas Eve, explores this hymn as Paul presented it.

By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great: In flesh was he revealed to sight, kept righteous by the Spirit’s might, adored by angels singing. To nations was he manifest, believing souls found peace and rest, our Lord in heaven reigning! [1], [2] From earliest days, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Hear The Sound Of Marching?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2019

David's battles with the Philistines provide a model for Christians as they resist the intrusion of the world into daily life.

“The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, ‘You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit God Gave Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 21, 2020

The Spirit of God lives in each twice-born follower of Christ. Because He lives in us, we are enabled to walk in power, to love as God loves, and to act with divine wisdom. God calls us to be controlled by the Spirit He placed in each of us.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] She was a recent convert to Christ, and she was in tears when she phoned me. The lady was suffering from disquieting events that were occurring each night. Each evening after retiring to her bed, a malevolent presence ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Those Who Believed Were Baptized

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 28, 2020

In the New Testament accounts, those who believed were baptized. No one was baptized and then believed, but those who believed were baptized because they were saved.

“When [those listening] heard [Peter’s command] they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:37-41

Denomination: Baptist

Why Would You Not Join The Church? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 3, 2020

Christians are expected to unite with a congregation of the faithful in order to fulfil the ministry God assigns each follower of Christ.

“Those who received his word were baptised, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-44

Denomination: Baptist