Sermons on Rodney Stark:

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

There Once Was A Country...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 5, 2024

What we are as a nation is not what we were, and the difference is not something to be celebrated.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: ‘Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.’ “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Response To Social Evil

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 19, 2024

How shall followers of Christ respond to the growing wickedness of our world?

“[Jesus] said to [His disciples], ‘Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Stone That Was Never Thrown

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2024

How do we, as followers of the Christ, respond to sin when it is exposed to us?

“Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Joy Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2024

Christ promised joy for those who follow Him. One sure mark of the redeemed is joy.

“Now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” Suppose you are on holiday. Now imagine it is a Sunday morning, and you want to find a church where you can join fellow Christians in worship of the Risen Saviour. (You do attend ...read more

Scripture: John 17:13

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Holiness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 10, 2024

Our Lord prayed that His followers would be sanctified, made holy. The Father heard His request and has granted Jesus was He asked.

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the ...read more

Scripture: John 17:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 17, 2024

Christians are to be immersed in the truth as they are sanctified in this life. We are immersed in truth as we immerse ourselves in the Word of God and as we invest ourselves in the congregation wherein the Spirit of Christ has placed us.

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” [1] Truth is in short supply in our world. Tragically, truth has been largely sacrificed for what has come to be known as “truthiness” in our world today. Perhaps that has always been the case, but it is certainly apparent that this is the case ...read more

Scripture: John 17:17

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Mission Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2024

Jesus was sent on mission by the Father. In like manner, the Son of God sends His disciples on mission. And He ensures we will succeed in this mission by giving us His Spirit.

“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them ...read more

Scripture: John 17:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Unity Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 1, 2024

The unity of the Faith transcends denominations, embracing all who are twice born through faith in Christ the Lord.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to ...read more

Scripture: John 17:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Marks Of The True Church: Love Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2024

Christians are lovers. We are distinguished from the world by Who we love and the manner in which we reveal our love. Ours is a love which results from the love of God which is poured out into our lives.

“O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” [1] Karl Barth, the Swiss theologian, ...read more

Scripture: John 17:25-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Being Too Important

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 14, 2020

A message that warns against the destructive power of pride, encouraging followers of Christ to serve with humility.

“Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:9-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Do You Know?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 21, 2020

Knowing God means that we love the brothers and build them in the Faith.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it. But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.” [1] “I’m as good a Christian as you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

God's Crybaby

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 27, 2020

The wickedness witnessed in contemporary society breaks the heart of the follower of Christ, just as such evil breaks the heart of the Saviour.

“‘The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.’ For the wound of the daughter of my people is my heart wounded; I mourn, and dismay has taken hold on me. “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Wounded! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 19, 2020

The message is a reflection on the sacrifice of the Christ--why it was necessary for Him to be pierced and why it was required that He be crushed. The message is a reminder that our peace results from His suffering in our place.

“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” [1] Midst the ubiquitous celebrations of this Christmas Season, as the streets of our cities are decorated with colourful banners ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Baptist

Redeemed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2020

A Christmas Eve meditation to be presented via Facebook Live. Christ was born so that fallen people can be redeemed. The message is a call to look to Christ, especially during this Christmas Season.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” [1] Christmas without Christ is meaningless! If Christ, the Lord of Glory, is not the focus of our celebration, what are we celebrating? Snow? Cold? Darkness? ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Baptist