Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Noah And The Flood Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Apr 5, 2022

The Genesis flood is judgment of our holy God. God’s Judgment in the flood serves as a stark reminder that God is serious about his warnings. It is also a lesson in the grace of God and that God keeps his promise regarding those who are faithful to Him.

Noah’s Ark is a popular children’s story. A toy ark was one of the first children’s toys my oldest daughter received. Noah’s ark is a popular nursery theme. There is the children’s song: “Noah, he builded, he builded an Arky, Arky.” The focus for children is the safety inside the ark for the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 7:6-24

Denomination: Baptist

Iron Man - The Learning Curve Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 7, 2010

It's not enough to just go to church. Christians need to be there for each other to sharpen the iron that God has placed within us.

OPEN: I love superheroes. My mom once told of the times I’d go out into the yard with a bath towel tied around my neck and would “fly” around the yard. And when I was a kid I read comic books about superheroes, watched TV shows and cartoons and went to the movies to watch them ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Iron Man - The Power Core Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 27, 2010

The power core that enables Iron Man to a superhero. But while his power core isn’t even remotely possible, we have a source of power within us that goes far beyond anything man has ever created.

OPEN: (Video from the first Iron Man movie of Anthony Stark having his assistant Pepper Potts replace his power core. Begins with Stark contacting Potts asking “How big are your hands” and ends with Stark thanking her for her help) What you just saw was Iron Man’s assistant replacing his power ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Separation To Reconciliation Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on May 26, 2007

Just what does it take to end all the hostility? To see “peace on earth”? Or, as Rodney King infamously insinuated, when will we all be able to “just get along”? How do we achieve unity amidst division and diversity? Thanks be to God, these very

THE SUPREME MYSTERY – THE BODY OF CHRIST ACT I: Foundations Of A Supreme Mystery – Identification 5. FROM SEPARATION – TO RECONCILIATION (Eph. 2:11-22) Introduction: My visits to the Berlin Wall and its downfall. The Christmas season is upon is and we will once again hear the world ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

Extravagant Love

Contributed by Roger Thomas on Feb 17, 2007

What this woman does stands in stark contrast to all of the other players. When we read of her deed side by side with Jesus’ hate-filled adversaries, the treacherous Judas, and the confused and misguided disciples, we can’t help but ask ourselves, where

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO Extravagant Love Matthew 26:6-13 According to businesses, Valentine’s Day is the third biggest day of the year for buying gifts. Christmas is first. Mother’s Day is second. I am not sure Father’s Day made the list. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Twenty-Twenty Vision!!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Apr 13, 2016

In this message, Yours truly has endeavoured to bring to the fore the stark contrast in the thinking of the Worldly wise and the Wisest One in the Universe whose ways and thoughts are far higher than those termed as “brilliant” by the finite World (1 Cor 1:25).

TWENTY-TWENTY VISION For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.-Isa ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: *other

Shipwrecked: Our Condition Before Christ Series

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Sep 27, 2025

Using the analogy of a shipwreck, this sermon on Ephesians 2:1-3 explores Paul's stark description of our condition without Christ: spiritually dead, helplessly swept along by the currents of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and destined for God's just wrath.

Introduction Imagine a person who has survived a terrible shipwreck. They are floating alone in the middle of a vast, dark ocean. Though they are breathing and their heart is beating, are they truly alive? They are cut off from land, from safety, from any source of help. They are completely at the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Miracles In West Africa

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Jan 10, 2024

Dr. Gary Parker is on https://www.mercyships.org/make-your-mark-susan-parker, Dr. Bob Dyer has a video on https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/103187993/from-auckland-mum-to-african-queen-a-life-less-ordinary-on-mercy-ship-anastasis

MIRACLE IN ABIDJAN, COTE D’IVOIRE – JAN 26, 1992 By the time Dr. Gary Parker saw 4-year-old Mobio Bienvenu at the screen in Cote d’Ivoire, the firm rubbery tumor on the left side of his face had grown to the size of a small fist. When Bienvenu came to the ship, Dr. Parker prayed for him, well ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard

Born To Be A Better Savior Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 23, 2022

Jesus was born to be our savior. But what does that mean, and what difference can that make in our lives?

There was a Christian who gave a Bible to somebody who was going through a rough time. Their life had been one disaster after the other, but in all that time there was never really made an effort to follow Jesus. So, as this Christian gave a Bible to the man… he encouraged him to read it, and he ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:22-27, Luke 2:11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Called To Do Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jun 9, 2019

There's a difference between church people who are "hearers" and those who are "doers." Do you know the difference? And do you know how to tell which group you're in?

OPEN: I read once about a certain Chinese church, where – when converts were baptized for the forgiveness of sins – when they came up out of the water they were told: “Now, Jesus has new eyes. And Jesus has new hands. And Jesus has new feet.” When we became Christians, we became the eyes and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:16-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Roi

Contributed by Brian Tome on May 2, 2013

How we think and act with money is a direct reflection of how we think about and act with Jesus.

Today I'm not telling you to give. The number one conversation that is happening right now in our city and country has to do with money. We wouldn't be helpful to you if we weren't talking about money because all of us are having a money conversation all day long and that conversation is often ill ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nazareth Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 7, 2014

Nazareth would seem to be an insignificant backwater town. That's how most scholars have painted it. The city didn't even seem to make much difference in the life of Christ. But is there more to its story?

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGlEte0qPFM What you just saw was the opening celebration for last year’s “Christmas in Nazareth”. It’s a 5 day festival that begins with the lighting of a Christmas tree and fireworks. In the following days there are parades, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Truth? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 18, 2012

We may either adopt the cynicism of this dying world, dismissing truth when it stands before us, or we may embrace the Son of God who is truth.

“Pilate said to Jesus, ‘What is truth?’” [1] Cynicism best describes the governor’s demeanor when the True Light stood before him. Arraigned before Pilate’s judgement seat was Jesus of Nazareth who testified of Himself, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” [JOHN 14:6]. Someone has ...read more

Scripture: John 18:38

Denomination: Baptist

The Perception Of God’s Plan - Foolishness Of God

Contributed by Rodney Kelley on Sep 14, 2010

God's plan of Redemption for man seems like foolishness to the lost man but makes sense to the believer.

Intro: In our text there is a statement that should make us stop in our tracks. For the novice in Scripture or a skeptic, that statement could be misunderstood. In context it is clear. The Bible is not saying God is foolish, but that the most simple thought of God is greater than the greatest ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Deadly Sin Of Anger--Part One Series

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Mar 5, 2008

When wronged or hurt by someone we are often tempted to lash out in vicious anger seeking revenge.

The Deadly Sin of Anger --Matthew 5:21-26; Romans 12:14-21; Ephesians 4:31-5:2 Peter Johnson related this story in the April 14, 1988, issue of USA TODAY. “Have you ever noticed that sometimes we get angry and remain bitter with people and actually forget why we’re so upset? Take, for example, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist