Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Fleeing To Egypt Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 11, 2016

Reviewing Matthew's account of the events surrounding the arrival of the wise men.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Slaughtering The Innocent

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2016

A homily considering the choice we must make when Christ comes near.

“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Rumour Of Angels

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2016

Remembering the night that angels announced the birth of the Saviour.

“In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer For The End Of Days

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 7, 2017

Moses teaches followers of the Living God how to number their days; he does so with a Psalm.

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. “You return man to dust and say, ‘Return, O children of man!’ For a thousand years in your sight ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Dishonouring The Family Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 15, 2017

Among the sins which God judges most harshly and most swiftly are sins dishonouring one’s family. Such swift and terrible judgement speaks to the importance of the family in the divine economy.

“Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD put him to death. Then Judah said to Onan, ‘Go in to your brother’s wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 38:6-10

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

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

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

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

If I Am A Man Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2020

I suppose the term "man of God" means different things to different people. However, we have the account of an individual who was called a "man of God" and commanded to respond to a king's command. Because he was a man of God, certain characteristics marked his life.

“After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. “Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, ‘Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.’ But the angel of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

To Dip, Or Not

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2020

A study of the transformation Naaman experienced may encourage us to humble ourselves before the Lord.

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Cheating The Labourer Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2020

James cautions us against cheating those to whom we are indebted. The message explores some of the parameters of this admonition.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist