Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Competing According To The Rules Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2015

Divine rewards demand that we conduct our lives according to God's rules provided in His Word.

I consider the initial verses of this chapter to be among the most significant verses of the book. They are, as well, perhaps the most neglected verses of the missive which Paul wrote. I confess that I am ploughing quite a narrow furrow in these expositions. Note that the Apostle appeals to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Why Belong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 24, 2015

Teaching the importance of church membership for those who are redeemed.

“Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls… And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Charles Spurgeon spoke of his intense desire to be a member of a local church in an account provided ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:41-47

Denomination: Baptist

How Will Your Epitaph Read?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 1, 2015

Life is preparation for death. How you administer your life now determines God's response to you and your place in the world to come.

“Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 49:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

Demas: Can We Quit When The Going Gets Tough? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 22, 2016

A study of Demas, a servant of God who quit when matters got tough.

2 TIMOTHY 4:10 SAVED? OR LOST? DEMAS: CAN WE QUIT WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH? “Demas ... has deserted me..” [1] “Well begun is half done.” This adage was quoted on numerous occasions during an earlier day—I certainly was on the receiving end of the saying repeatedly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:10

Denomination: Baptist

What Of Those Who Have Never Heard The Gospel?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 30, 2016

A response to the question, "What of those who have never heard the Gospel?" God is just and God is gathering to Himself and for His glory a great harvest of souls.

“You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Together

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 6, 2016

If Jesus is Lord over all things in the church, how much freedom do I have to quit because I am offended?

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Who Can We Blame? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 12, 2016

If we will cease blaming others, we must be controlled by the Spirit of God. A study of the impact of God's Spirit in the life of a believer.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] It was an exceptional week, even for a broken world. One morning in June, we awoke to horrific news that an alligator had dragged a two-year-old boy into a lake at Walt Disney World. Though the presence of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Mending Broken Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2016

A review of the ministry of reconciliation.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” [1] The Ministry of Restoration is committed to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Setting The Stage Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2016

A study of the genealogy of the Christ as presented by Matthew.

MATTHEW 1:1-17 DRAMATIC EVENTS IN AN OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACE: SETTING THE STAGE “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. “Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be A Mighty Man

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2017

A study of a warrior-priest noted as one of David's mighty men with encouragement for believers to emulate his life.

“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a handsome man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but Benaiah ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Pieces Of Silver And A Suit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2017

Religion is cheap. Those who seek to perpetuate religion will sell the Faith for a pittance. The message calls on the faithful to distinguish between those seeking a job in the ministry and those who are appointed by God to minister.

“Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. And the man departed from the town of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn where he could find a place. And as he journeyed, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wolf Country

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 31, 2017

Jesus sent out His disciples, comparing them as sheep sent in the midst of wolves. So, the flock of God to this day lives in the midst of wolves as they fulfil the will of the Master.

“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 and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

A Citizen Of An Unseen Country

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 8, 2017

How we live reveals our understanding of who we are. As citizens of Heaven, Christians exhibit defined characteristics.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

What The Women Did Not Find

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 15, 2017

When the women who had followed Jesus came to the tomb, they found a disturbed tomb and angels that spoke to them. What they did not find was the body of the Master. This becomes the basis for Easter, the foundation of the Faith of Christ the Lord.

“There was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Model For Godly Manhood Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 4, 2016

What can Joseph teach us as men?

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist