Sermons on Saint Michael:

Led By The Spirit ... To Be Tempted?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2017

Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted. The Word is precise in stating that He was led by the Spirit. Why does the Spirit of God lead anyone to be tempted?

“Then 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, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Not Your Own

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 20, 2017

Sexual sin is ubiquitous in contemporary society; it is often excused among the faithful. We need to live with a focus on the Cross if we will honour God with our bodies in the midst of a world that has surrendered to the appetites of the flesh.

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.” [1] Accepting Christ as Saviour transforms life—attitudes and actions take on new significance. The adage ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Unknown Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2017

None of us know with certainty what lies ahead after we are gathered to Christ. However, Paul encourages believers to look forward, preparing ourselves for what is surely coming.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6

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

What Must I Do To Be Saved? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 15, 2012

A holy life lived to the glory of God attracts outsiders to ask, "What must I do to be saved?"

“What must I do to be saved?” [1] I fear many vital, even essential words are disappearing from common usage today. Society as a whole is becoming linguistically impoverished. Some words have been misappropriated; they will never be returned to their proper place in English vocabulary. “Gay,” ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:30

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Did The Tribulation Just Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2020

In these times of lockdown, some have begun to imagine that the Great Tribulation just began. Rather than focusing on such idle speculation, the Word of God would encourage us to shine brightly in difficult times to turn many to righteousness.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

All That And A Bag Of Chips Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 15, 2021

God worked in Moses to transform him from a self-important man who imagined God needed him to become a man of God who knew that he needed God.

“One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

When Life Is Treated As "cheap!" Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2021

Can God accept a murderer? He accepted Saul; and He has accepted many of us who were once filled with bitterness toward others. Those who turn from their evil to receive Christ as Master over life will be accepted by the Living God.

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Were You Thinking? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2021

If we dishonour Christ by treating the Lord's Table with disdain, we can anticipate His discipline.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” [1] “Whatever was he thinking?” That is the question that was no doubt on the minds of many Canadians when they first read of the fall of Colin ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27

Denomination: Baptist

Why Should I Bother Joining A Church?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 11, 2021

The message explores biblical reasons for open union with a local congregation.

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. “For though absent in body, I am ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Christians Will Face In The New Year

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2021

A new year will shortly be upon us. While none of us is able to predict what we precise situations Christians will face in the coming year, we know from Scripture some general conditions that will confront us.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

To Infinity And Beyond!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 14, 2022

Though all associated with this life is impermanent, the future for the child of God is bright with hope. Christ has redeemed us by His death and resurrection. Now, through faith in Him, we anticipate a permanent home in Heaven.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Denomination: Baptist