Sermons on Stark:

The Problem With A Religion Of Rules Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 11, 2022

Two Sabbath stories bring out some key dangers of a rules-based religion.

- We have two stories here that both look into the rules the religious leaders had back in Jesus’ day concerning the Sabbath. THE PROBLEM WITH A RELIGION OF RULES: 1. WE ARE SELECTIVE ABOUT WHICH RULES WE PAY ATTENTION TO. - Matthew 12:1-5, 9-11. - The Pharisees considered themselves to be the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Neighborhater - Pt. 1 - There Goes The Neighborhood Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Sep 8, 2018

Neighbors. There are good ones and then those we wished would move. Have we become Neighborhaters? Can’t we get along?

There Goes The Neighborhood I. Introduction It is one of those fond and nostalgic memories. The sweaters. The shoe change. The trolley. The life lessons. Mr. Rogers’ mild manner often disguised the fact that he was dropping truth bombs on children. In fact, unknown to many until recently as a new ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Pentecostal

Fear Frustration Faith

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Aug 28, 2019

Fear. Frustration. Faith. We all have them and each is related. While faith can be the solution to fear and frustration, it can also be the source of fear and frustration. How can faith be both the solution and the source? That’s what the account of Abraham leads us to consider.

What are you afraid of? What is it that frustrates you? Maybe your fears come from the “what ifs” in life, what if this happens or that happens. Maybe they are the fears of what other people think of you or the fear of failure. Maybe it’s the fear of things from the past, things that you can’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Christmas - Glad Tiding Of Great Joy

Contributed by Gary Regazzoli on Dec 22, 2019

Here’s the question. What is the deeper reason for celebrating Christmas? What is the reason for the season? Do we need it?

Time of the year – Family, food and fun, but it is also a time to think about the deeper questions of life – but also to ask the question, “is there a purpose to it all?” • Here’s the question. What is the deeper reason for celebrating Christmas? What is the reason for the season? Do we need it? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, John 3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: Christian Church

Crying In The Wilderness

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Aug 17, 2023

If we don’t live the Gospel, how will people believe that Christ also lives? People must see that we are real, before they will believe that Jesus is.

I expect most of you know by now that we have a homegrown preacher next week. Our newest deacon, Drew Johnson, is going to be my sub on December 26 while I’m off basking in sunny Minneapolis. He’s been up here before, of course: many of you remember when he was a shepherd in our Christmas pageant a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-6, Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Walking By Faith Part 2: Faith That Overcomes Series

Contributed by Dwight Davis on Aug 18, 2023

How can true, Biblical faith help us, to not only "survive" this life in a sin-saturated world, but to thrive?

Faith that Overcomes One of the points I tried to make especially clear in part one of this message is that the enemy of our souls is trying his best to persuade us to neglect or even abandon our faith in God. And, unfortunately, he’s been quite successful—especially so in the last decade or so. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, Romans 10:17, James 1:2-4, 1 John 5:1-4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Living The Blessed Life.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 7, 2023

Psalm 1 does not teach the duty of obedience so much as it invokes affection for the Torah. In Psalm 1, the righteous are not those who obey the Torah, but are those who delight in the Torah.

Living the Blessed Life. Psalm 1:1-6NKJV The desert is abundant with life, but there is a stark contrast between plants that are near water and plants that are in the drier parts of the landscape. Those plants near the water display abundant growth. Those plants that are near the water display ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Psalm 92:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Follow The Leader

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Sep 8, 2023

A third perspective is what Jesus is saying about the sheep. That is, that left to their own devices, sheep will stray.

Why do you suppose The Runaway Bunny is one of the most popular books for toddlers ever written? Because it reassures the child that whatever happens, she can’t get lost for good. Even if he gets mad and runs away, he still can’t get lost - because the mother bunny will always come after her child. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-9, Romans 8:35-39

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Can We Go Fishing In Heaven? Series

Contributed by John Bright on May 27, 2023

This is the last in a 7-part series on The Apostles Creed. I used this as a way to give folks in my new churches an understanding of my beliefs and our common ground as Believers. Teaching sheet at the end of the text.

Sermon Series “Belief and Faith Coming Together” Week Seven – “Can We Go Fishing in Heaven?” Pastor John Bright – delivered 8/25/19 Philippians 3:17-4:1 “17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:2, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Methodist

Raised Imperishable Series

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Mar 31, 2023

Jesus' resurrection reverses the pattern of decay to give us the hope of an imperishable resurrection body.

Have you noticed that there’s something wrong with this world? No doubt, it’s beautiful especially at this time of year but something is just not right. Putting disasters, shootings, hatred, anxiety aside it just seems like everything is falling apart. Nothing really lasts. We are reminded almost ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed?

Contributed by Jonathan Kruschel on Feb 20, 2019

Where do you look to for evidence of God's blessing? Are you looking to the right places? Jesus tells us to look to some rather unusual places to find his blessing while also providing us with a list of warnings.

How are you doing this morning? There used to be a man who when he walked into church on Sunday mornings and I asked him how he was doing, he would respond with a single word. He would say, “Blessed!” Every week he said the same thing. How many of us would give that response today? Maybe all ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Transformed By Truth: Lessons From The Seven Churches Of Revelation 2:1–3:22 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Apr 27, 2024

May these lessons from the seven churches of Revelation inspire us to pursue wholehearted devotion to Christ and faithful obedience to His Word. Let us be transformed by the truth and live as faithful witnesses in the world.

Transformed by Truth: Lessons from the Seven Churches of Revelation 2:1–3:22 Introduction: Today, we embark on a profound exploration of the messages delivered to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. These messages, addressed by Christ Himself through the apostle John, offer timeless ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:4-5, Matthew 22:37, Matthew 5:10, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Romans 13:11, Revelation 3:8, James 4:8, Hebrews 10:36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Four Ways To Better Love Those Away From God

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2018

Starting with Jesus hanging between two criminals, this sermon focuses on how Jesus was a "friend of sinners" and offers four ways we can improve in that endeavor.

WHICH IMAGE FITS BETTER: Black tuxedo or orange jumpsuit? - Mark 15:27. - Here we have the stark image of Jesus hanging between two criminals. These are orange jumpsuit kind of people. - On the other hand, we have the respectable crowd, perhaps wearing a black tuxedo to show their classiness. - ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

One Leper Series

Contributed by Jon Daniels on Jan 21, 2019

Jesus touched the life of one leper & changed him forever.

“ONE LEPER” Luke 5:12-16 CWBC – 1/6/19 Jon Daniels INTRO – Dictionary.com’s “Word of the Year for 2018” – “misinformation” – “false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead.” - “Misinformation is what is guiding people’s choices, behaviors, & ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Flight To Egypt

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Mar 10, 2016

How do you respond to Christ the King Who is the fulfillment of the ages? Like Herod, and all Jerusalem with him, do you hate Him and fear Him? Or, like the shepherds and magi’s, do you bow down before Him and worship Him?

Opening illustration: A young boy desperately wanted a bicycle for Christmas, so he asked his parents for the bike; His parents wanted to teach him the importance of prayer, so they suggested the young boy should write a letter to Jesus and pray for one instead." Not pleased with the response of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational