Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Make The House You Have The Home You Want

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2020

The message is a plea for Christians to ensure that their families are provided with a model for Christian living and that all within the family know the message of life in the Son of God.

“Fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Unwelcomed In Zion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2020

A review and application of the ministry of Amos, known to standing with God and against religion.

“Amaziah said to Amos, ‘O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.’ “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, ‘I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:12-17

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

Where Our Unconverted Children Are Headed

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 25, 2018

Should we fail to reach our children, instructing them in the fear of the Lord, they will break our hearts and turn from pursuing God. The message is a plea for Christian parents to reach their children with the love of Christ.

“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. And ...read more

Scripture: Judges 17:7-13, Judges 18:27-31

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

Reservation For Two [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 11, 2020

The message is a study of the nature of the Lord's Supper as encouragement to worship. We who worship the Saviour are encouraged to see that He has made reservations for two--the Bridegroom and the Bride.

“I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Denomination: Baptist

Fratricide Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 18, 2020

Anger against fellow Christians destroys the Faithful, and especially does it destroy the one harbouring the hatred.

“Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.’ And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Homosexuality Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 25, 2020

A review of the sin of homosexuality with encouragement for followers of Christ to treat homosexuals with compassion while holding firmly to the Word of God.

“The men set out from [the oaks of Mamre], and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. The LORD said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:16-21

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In An Uncertain World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2018

The Christian knows intuitively that he/she belongs to God and that the world about them is under the sway of the evil one. The message explores some of the parameters of this knowledge.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” [1] The New York Stock Exchange hits a new high every week, sometimes even breaking previous trading records several times in a week. Investor exuberance does make some potential traders nervous; they wonder ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 10, 2018

The Christian possesses knowledge that is not available to outsiders. Therefore, followers of the Christ must encourage their hearts that they know Christ, that they are secure in Him and they are to honour Him.

“We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” [1] “The trouble with world is not that people ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:20-21

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Have A Title? Or A Testimony?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2018

The believer in the Risen Christ has a powerful testimony. We need to be encouraged to use what God has given each of us to the praise of His glory.

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [1] The disciples were just like us—they wanted power, especially power over other disciples. They were convinced that if only they ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

And Then What?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2020

Each follower of the Christ has had the experience of praying earnestly, only to be disappointed to discover that God has not answered his/her prayer. When God doesn't answer our earnest request, then what?

“[Jesus] told [His disciples] a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, “Give me justice against my ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Denomination: Baptist