Sermons on Stark:

The Tyranny Of The Experts

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2021

A study of the danger posed when experts assume control over a society, over a community, or over a church. The message is a call to participatory Christianity.

“Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-36

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Makes Room For Misfits Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 9, 2021

A study of Jesus' ministry to the outcasts of society.

“[Jesus] returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him. And taking him aside from the crowd privately, he put his ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:31-37

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 The Church Is Scattered

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2021

Studying the response of the first church when persecuted can encourage a proper response to disruption of services in the modern church in the West.

“And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” [1] Fairmeadows Church met at seven o’clock each Wednesday evening for a prayer meeting. One evening, rather than going ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1

Denomination: Baptist

A Church Without Walls

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 29, 2021

A study of the first congregation of the Lord provides us with the example of a church without walls. The members did gather for worship, but they were compelled to penetrate their world to tell others of Jesus. We must do the same in this day.

“There arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Selling Herself Cheaply Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 4, 2021

God makes room for all, even for those women we routinely dismiss because of a soiled past. If God accepts Rahab the prostitute, He will accept me if I look to Him in faith.

“Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. And it was told to the king of Jericho, ‘Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 2:1-7

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

Assault Against The Faithful Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 15, 2021

Paul's assessment of himself was that he was unworthy of God's grace. However, Christ is merciful; He will receive anyone who comes to Him in faith, even those who are full of themselves.

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:2-6

Denomination: Baptist

Losing God In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2021

We Christians must not allow ourselves to begin to worship our worship. We must always ensure that we worship the Risen Saviour, the True and Living God.

“Therefore, 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 your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

In Memoriam Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 29, 2021

Is the Lord's Supper an act performed by rote, or do we worship the Lord through this act? The Meal is designed to actively bring to mind the sacrifice of our Saviour, bring us to the point of worship.

“I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes, I Guess There Just Aren't Enough Rocks

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 6, 2021

In life, we may tear down relationships or we may build relationships. We use similar aspects to both destroy and build. Christians should be known as builders.

“Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.” [1] In the movie Forrest Gump, one scene pictures Forrest and Jenny ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 28:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

The King Wants To See You

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2021

Christians, especially, must always remember those who have stood with them, honouring their memory and the kinship they have shared during hard times.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Pardon From The Prison Of The Past

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 21, 2021

Christ sets us free so that we do not need to live under the dark cloud of condemnation from past sins.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Four Days Late

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2021

When Christ delays answering our pleas, how shall we respond? God is merciful, even when it appears that Heaven in silent.

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-27

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