Sermons on Stark:

The Spiritual Nature Of Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2023

A message for the Labour Day weekend, emphasising that the work we perform and the manner in which we work reflect our understanding of God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” [1] The necessity of going to work Monday morning despite being exhausted from the “rest and relaxation” pursued ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Is That All You've Got?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2024

We who follow Christ are responsible to present the message of grace at every opportunity. Many will dismiss our message as foolish talk. We must honestly present the truth to such people, refusing to give up our stand for the truth.

“As [Paul] was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.’ But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Polluting The God Of Heaven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 12, 2025

Our service to the Lord must be guided by His Spirit and offered to glorify Him.

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Desert Shall Blossom

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 19, 2025

Christ has conquered death, making this world new for all who believe in Him as the Risen lord of Glory.

“The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

An Incomplete Message

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 26, 2024

God is the central character in the Book of Job. We discover what is lacking in our own lives as we witness God revealing His character in this account of His dealing with one suffering saint.

“Job answered the LORD and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will ...read more

Scripture: Job 42:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Has Left The Building!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2024

God may use persecution to compel the faithful to fulfil His commands. That was assuredly the case for the first church, and it may be the case in this day.

ACTS 8:1b-4 THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING! “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 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Weeping Over Jerusalem

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2025

Understanding what moved Jesus to tears will reveal the Spirit of Christ in us as followers of the Saviour/

“When [Jesus] drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, ‘Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-44

Denomination: Baptist

Sustained By Unrecognised Strength

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2025

God chooses nations just s He chooses individuals. God preserves those whom He chooses, holding them responsible to fulfil His will.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” [1] “Who makes you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Greatness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 1, 2025

The future is built on decisions we make today. God calls and we are to obey.

“On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

"if Your Presence Will Not Go With Me,,,"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 8, 2025

When God threatens to withdraw His presence, the critical danger demands that leaders plead with the Lord to stay near.

“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Depart; go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, to the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, “To your offspring I will give it.” I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When I Hurt?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 14, 2025

Is there purpose in our suffering if we are Christians? What can God accomplish through our sorrow?

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

God And The Wicked

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2025

God’s judgements compel the inhabitants of the world to learn righteousness! For the redeemed, His judgements encourage us while giving evidence of His love. For the wicked, His judgements cannot be understood, even when seen.

“The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous. In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

Is It Enough?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2025

Jesus, the Son of God, has fulfilled the prophecy given through Isaiah promising God's redemption. The question many raise is, "Is It Enough?"

“It was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Deceitful Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2025

Jacob's sons distorted the Faith; the Shechemites attempted to co-opt the religious practices of the Israelites to enrich themselves. Both groups attempted to use religion to obtain their own ends, resulting in death and destruction. Deceitful religion always leads to ruin and destruction.

“Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the women of the land. And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. And his soul was drawn to Dinah the daughter of Jacob. He loved the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist