Sermons on Stark:

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

Immanuel (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 16, 2017

The message is a brief review of how our modern Christmas observance came to be. It is a call for Christians to remember what it must be if we will know the power and the peace of the Saviour.

“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 quietly. But as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

Selling The Sizzle; Tossing The Steak

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 6, 2018

Do Christians seek comfort? Or do we seek substance? Jesus offered substance, but it wasn't always appreciated, even by those identified as disciples.

“When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ teaching], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, ‘Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-68

Denomination: Baptist

When He Appears Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 13, 2018

What do we know concerning the return of Christ the Lord? John points Christians to that day as a means of encouraging holy living.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

When A Christian Prays Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 20, 2018

When a Christian prays, God is pledged to act. This is especially true when we pray for fellow Christians who have begun to stray.

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Tell-Tale Life Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 27, 2018

Those who are twice-born reveal divine parentage through life, through confidence and through victory.

“We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.” [1] Some truths cannot be hidden. Though an evil individual may attempt to hide the evil that contaminates the soul, the sinful proclivity ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Confidence In An Uncertain World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2018

The Christian knows intuitively that he/she belongs to God and that the world about them is under the sway of the evil one. The message explores some of the parameters of this knowledge.

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” [1] The New York Stock Exchange hits a new high every week, sometimes even breaking previous trading records several times in a week. Investor exuberance does make some potential traders nervous; they wonder ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Neither Male Nor Female

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 28, 2012

A study of gender and the role of pastor of the congregation.

“In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Women Preachers And The Word Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2012

Do women have a role to play in congregational oversight? What does the Word say?

“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Henceforth

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 11, 2012

It is important to have a good start in the Christian life; it is vital to have a good finish.

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

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

Do You Want To Go Away?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2023

As the message delivered by Jesus transitions for followers to embrace Him as Master, many chose to leave. The Lord questioned His disciples, asking, "Do you want to go away as well?" Peter answered for all who will follow the Saviour, asking, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

“Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” [1] Christ will never compel anyone to remain as one who is counted among the faithful. If a person is determined to “quit” pretending that ...read more

Scripture: John 6:67-68

Denomination: Baptist