Sermons on Stark:

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

Commended For Their Faith

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 2, 2016

A study of the ultimate reward for serving Christ the Master, suggesting the impact on our present service.

“What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Baptist

No Sweat!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 21, 2020

Worship, true worship, worship that honours God, flows from the Spirit of God through the life of a follower of Christ who seeks to be pure and holy. True worship requires no effort on the part of the worshipper. Rather, it is the effortless response of that one who seeks the True and Living God.

“[The priests] shall have linen turbans on their heads, and linen undergarments around their waists. They shall not bind themselves with anything that causes sweat.” [1] God is concerned about the smallest facet of the lives of His children. It is not an insignificant matter to speak of the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 44:18

Denomination: Baptist

Peace In Uncertain Times (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 25, 2020

A radio message addressing the Coronavirus panic. Steps for the conscientious Christian to conquer the panic induced by fear.

David Jeremiah recently provided a brief message for his San Diego congregation. He spoke about how Christians should respond to the Coronavirus panic. [1] I intend to use these points for followers of the Christ in the order Pastor Jeremiah presented them in his encouraging message. I suspect ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Baptist

Peace In Uncertain Times (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 27, 2020

A radio message designed to encourage believers to rejoice in the peace Christ offers those who walk with Him. The world defines "peace" in a manner that is unattainable. Christ offers peace that is the heritage of each person who knows Him as Master over life.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” [JOHN 14:27]. [1] “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch ...read more

Scripture: John 14:27

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Have the professed people of God permitted themselves to be compromised by the world to such an extend that they are powerless against wickedness? Though the thought is frightful, Christians need to assess our relationship with the Living God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

God In The Dark

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Where was God when Jesus was crucified? The divine mystery is that God provided Himself as a sacrifice for sinful man. We are humbled by this knowledge, and eternally blessed.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Is This The End?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 4, 2020

A radio message exploring Jesus' prophecy recorded in Matthew 24. Some are asking if the current conditions are fulfilment of prophecy. The message explores that question.

“Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, ‘You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.’ “As he sat on the Mount ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The God Whom We Know

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2018

What do we know about God? Does what we know influence our response to Him and to others? These are the issues explored in this message.

“We know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [1] Few portions of the Word are calculated to give the Christian pause as is this one verse. The Living God does not ignore ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Private Worship Is Essential For A Healthy Relationship With God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2018

Though public worship is vital to the growth of a congregation, private worship must never be neglected. In fact, private worship is essential if we will worship corporately. The message explores by examining an incident in the life of Gideon.

“As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped.” [1] Pastors will not have spent much time in the pastorate until they learn the awful truth that preparing for worship is such intense work and so demanding that worship may often be ignored! It is a tragic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Living At The Centre Of The Universe

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2019

Christians are secure in Christ. Because this is true, it behooves us to know Him--really know Who He is. The message explores Paul's revelation of Jesus as very God in his letter to the congregation in Colossae.

[1] “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Family Out Of Control; A Prophet Under God's Control

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 1, 2019

God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute. This ensured that his was a dysfunctional family. A study of Hosea will encourage Christians as we struggle with honouring God through our families.

“The LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.’ So, I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Anointed For Profit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2020

Pastors and teachers are appointed to serve Christ and His churches. They lovingly tend His flock without thought of personal enrichment.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Casualties Of Divine Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2019

The message explores how Christians can avoid becoming casualties of divine service. There is a high cost demanded of those who will serve Christ, and we must not imagine that we will be spared paying that cost. However, in standing firm with Christ, we will stand victorious.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Bowling Alone: Dying For Lack Of Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2018

The aloneness that has become a hallmark of our modern age presents a great opportunity for the people of God to present the message of life. As Christ calls people to rest in Him, the churches must echo that call.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [1] Robert Putnam raised a red flag for people living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist