Sermons on Stark:

How To Destroy Your Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2008

Christians may unconsciously destroy their church. Often, they perform this nefarious deed with the best of intentions. James warns us to review our actions and our attitudes so that we will not destroy our church or dishonour the Lord.

JAMES 3:1-12 HOW TO DESTROY YOUR CHURCH “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Most Powerful Force Man Ever Created Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2008

"No human being can tame the tongue." Now, that is a sobering thought! James confronts us as believers, calling us to account for our speech. The message reviews the destructive power of the tongue, with encouragement to change how we often speak.

JAMES 3:1-12 THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE MAN EVER CREATED “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Tender Mercies

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 29, 2008

God does discipline His children who approach the Lord’s Table with unholy attitudes. This is does as an act of love. If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:31, 32 GOD’S TENDER MERCIES “If we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. When we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.” No doubt the title of the message appears strange to some people. How can discipline be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Teacher's Burden Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2008

God appoints men to teach His people. Self-appointed counterfeits promote themselves to the detriment of the assemblies of our Lord. However, those whom He appoints bless the people of God.

JAMES 3:1, 2 THE TEACHER’S BURDEN “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

A Perfect Christian Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 15, 2008

Many Christians that are thought to be mature demonstrate immaturity through their speech. James confronts Christians, demanding that they look at what is said and how they say it.

JAMES 3:2-5a A PERFECT CHRISTIAN “We all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Ministry Of The Word In Evil Days

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 2, 2008

Modern churches often fail to worship because they do not recognise the centrality of preaching for worship. We would do well to recall the instruction Paul gave Timothy.

2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5 THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD IN EVIL DAYS “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 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Challenges Facing Baptists In The Twenty-First Century Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 2, 2008

Baptists have brought distinctive truth to the circle of the evangelical faith. However, there appears to be a danger of being of losing the Baptist identify which must be recognised and resisted.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8, 9 BAPTIST FOUNDATIONS CHALLENGES FACING BAPTISTS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Reason Jesus Came Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 9, 2007

A review of the importance of the Incarnation to us who are Christians.

GALATIANS 2:20 THE REASON JESUS CAME “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” We don’t usually think of Paul’s Letter to the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:20

Denomination: Baptist

God's Great Gift Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 15, 2007

Our Lord was born to provide redemption, God’s great gift, for mankind.

GALATIANS 3:13, 14 GOD’S GREAT GIFT “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.’” Exchanging gifts is a tradition associated with the celebration of Christmas. Although giving gifts is a part of other ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Fullness Of Time Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2007

Was Jesus’ birth serendipity? Was there a purpose to His birth. God says that He sent His Son at the right time and for the right purpose.

GALATIANS 4:4-7 THE FULLNESS OF TIME “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, ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

Fanatics For The Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2007

God calls His people to take seriously the instruction of the Word. In fact, He calls us to be fanatics for the Faith.

JAMES 1:19-27 FANATICS FOR THE FAITH “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Baptist

Will You Let Just Anyone Eat At Your Table? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 5, 2008

Meditations on the Lord’s Supper preceding a Communion Meal

1 CORINTHIANS 11:20-22 WILL YOU LET JUST ANYONE EAT AT YOUR TABLE? “When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil Goes To Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 12, 2008

Uncontrolled speech may reveal a devilish heart that has never been regenerated. James challenges us to review our heart by examining our speech to determined our relationship to the Master.

JAMES 3:5b, 6 THE DEVIL GOES TO CHURCH “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” At 9:00 p.m., ...read more

Scripture: James 3:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Schizophrenia Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2008

It is impossible to live a life characterized by blessing God while simultaneously cursing other believers. To attempt to so live is to demonstrate that one is suffering spiritual schizophrenia.

JAMES 3:7-12 SPIRITUAL SCHIZOPHRENIA “Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who ...read more

Scripture: James 3:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Completing The Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2008

The message is intended to provide encouragement for a new congregation to remember the task before them. It is a call to see the magnitude of the labour and the greatness of God.

TITUS 1:5, 10-2:1 COMPLETING THE WORK “I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order… “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by ...read more

Denomination: Baptist