Sermons on Stark:

When The Fullness Of Time Had Come... Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2017

A review of Paul's understanding of the Virgin Birth of our Lord. The impact of being a "son of God" through faith in the Risen Christ.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So, you are no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Christ's Final Call

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 28, 2019

A study of the final invitation to faith in the Risen Son of God as presented in the last book of the Bible.

“[The angel] said to me, ‘These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.’ “‘And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’ “I, John, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 22:6-21

Denomination: Baptist

Weaponised Narratives

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 6, 2019

We must guard against creating a narrative as a mask of the truth of God's Word.

“If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Two Men Enter Heaven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2019

Death is inevitable for those now living. The sole exception will be should the Lord return. Christ offers life for all who receive Him. Our responsibility is to prepare for the inevitable, trusting Him.

“The other [thief] rebuked [the first], saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:40-43, Acts 7:59-60

Denomination: Baptist

All Things! Really? All Things? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 5, 2017

When Paul writes "for those who love God all things work together for good," he writes to encourage Christians not to be discouraged by trials. "All things" urges us to look beyond the moment to see the glory that is to be revealed.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

When Common Knowledge Fails Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 12, 2017

"Everyone knows" can become an excuse for our bias in the church. The Apostle instructs us to see our strength as imposing responsibility rather than conferring privilege.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. “Therefore, as to the eating of food ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-8

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

The Danger Of Seeing God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 19, 2016

Familiarity with God can result is treating Him with casual disregard leading to judgement.

“Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 24:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

My Kingdom Is Not Of This World

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2016

Christ was crucified and raised from the dead to deliver a people for His Name into His eternal Kingdom.

In the midst of darkness, God’s glory blazes. When evil appears to triumph, grace prevails. When dark denizens of this fallen world convince themselves they have defeated grace, righteousness conquers. These themes are written large in accounts provided of the brief hours leading to the ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Who Can We Blame? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 12, 2016

If we will cease blaming others, we must be controlled by the Spirit of God. A study of the impact of God's Spirit in the life of a believer.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] It was an exceptional week, even for a broken world. One morning in June, we awoke to horrific news that an alligator had dragged a two-year-old boy into a lake at Walt Disney World. Though the presence of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

Mending Broken Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2016

A review of the ministry of reconciliation.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” [1] The Ministry of Restoration is committed to ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

First Share Of The Crops Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2015

Rewards come only after we work. The Apostle is encouraging those who are called by the Name of the Son of God to work diligently.

“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” [1] Paul has presented a variety of images to illustrate the strong spiritual life expected of those who will follow the Master. As we saw in a previous message, the emphasis in these verbal pictures the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6

Denomination: Baptist

Setting The Stage Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2016

A study of the genealogy of the Christ as presented by Matthew.

MATTHEW 1:1-17 DRAMATIC EVENTS IN AN OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACE: SETTING THE STAGE “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. “Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, and Judah the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Model For Godly Manhood Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 4, 2016

What can Joseph teach us as men?

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist