Sermons on Saint Michael:

Serve One Another

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 13, 2012

The freedom we have received in Christ imposes responsibility to serve one another.

“You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Against The Tide: Pushing Back Against The Moral Climate

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 18, 2012

Christians are called to be holy. However, we are not always certain what it means to be holy or how to achieve that status.

1 PETER 1:13-25 AGAINST THE TIDE (PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE MORAL CLIMATE) “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Freedom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2010

The message explores some of the implications of our freedom in Christ, encouraging believers to walk as free people.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. “Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Cope With My Own Mortality?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 17, 2010

In the brief moment we call now, we may either accomplish some great thing for the cause of Christ, or we may exist. If we choose the latter, we sacrifice marvellous opportunities to serve with distinction.

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

Obedience Versus The Wisdom Of This Age

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 31, 2010

Christians are called to obedience. In fact, God equates obedience to His will with love for Him. To fail to obey Him is to demonstrate that we love self more than we love Him.

DEUTERONOMY 5:32, 33; 6:24, 25 OBEDIENCE VERSUS THE WISDOM OF THIS AGE “You shall be careful … to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Not A Fan, But A Follower

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 24, 2011

An exploration of Jesus’ call to discipleship.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Loved In Truth Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 27, 2010

Christians are taught to love one another. However, what is it that causes us to love one another? How shall we love? John gives us a glimpse of the love we are to have in this brief letter to a man named Gaius.

“The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of "nice" Will Be The Death Of You

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2019

The Gospel of Christ calls us to live boldly, not safely. God calls His people to stand firm in this holy Faith rather than seeking to make people like them.

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

If The Bugle Is Expected, A Flute Will Not Do

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2019

If we will honour the Risen Saviour, we must ensure that we are focused on what is of importance to Him. Our purpose is not to make people like us, but to fulfil the mind of the Master.

“Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

Denomination: Baptist

Excluded From The Celestial City

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2018

Everybody talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin' there. The Word of God is quite clear that many will be excluded from Heaven. The message is a plea to those who are casual about God to avoid this condemnation.

“[Christ, seated on His throne] said to [John], ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

I Have Come Into The World As Light Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 8, 2018

A study of the impact of Jesus as light in our darkened world.

“Jesus cried out and said, ‘Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge ...read more

Scripture: John 12:44-50

Denomination: Baptist

Rebellion Against The Lord! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 13, 2017

God created all things to work in an orderly fashion. Anything that creates disorder, dishonours the Living God, inviting His judgement. The message focuses on one particular rebellion in the camp of Israel, considering God's response.

“Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 16:1-35

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

When Standing Alone Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 27, 2016

Each Christian will eventually stand alone. At such times, they may be assured that they are never truly alone--the Lord is standing with them.

2 TIMOTHY 4:16-18 WHEN STANDING ALONE… “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

If The Foundations Are Destroyed

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 30, 2016

The one who follows the Master must focus on Him and His will, proving to be righteous rather than responding to the disintegration of society as do the wicked.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

Denomination: Baptist