Sermons on Stark:

What We Cannot Do, God Can Do

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2009

If salvation depended upon living a sinless life, none of us would have a hope of reaching heaven. No Christian can claim to merit God’s mercy or grace. No saved individual can state that God was compelled to grant her life because of her goodness. We are

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Door Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 6, 2009

There is but one way to God, and that is through Jesus the Son of God. He presents Himself as the Door. The message explores some of the ramifications of that truth.

“Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to ...read more

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Church At Worship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 3, 2010

The apostolic command to be filled with the Spirit is a corporate responsibility of each congregation, and not simply an individual command. Paul instructs the churches what Spirit-filled worship looks like in this text.

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

Ready For His Return

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2010

Anticipation of the Master’s return generates a sense of anticipation in His people.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:29-51

Denomination: Baptist

Attacking The Vulnerable

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 16, 2010

Personal comfort and convenience have deceived many people into believing that they are justified in showing disrespect for life. God will not permit this condition to persist among His people.

“Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Real Abusers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 24, 2010

Jesus warns against abusing His "little ones." The study of this saying becomes vital to the welfare of contemporary congregations.

“The disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Benevolence According To Jesus

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2010

In the eyes of the Master our motive for practising benevolence is extremely important.

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Way Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 5, 2010

When Jesus presents Himself as "The Way," what are the implications for us as Christians and as needy people?

“Thomas said to [Jesus], ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way… No one comes to the Father except through me.’” In the course of many years of ministering in Canada, I have witnessed many people who were offended at the preaching ...read more

Scripture: John 14:5-6

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 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 19, 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

A New Covenant Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2008

A Communion meditation warning us against substituting ritual for relationship.

MATTHEW 26:26-29 A NEW COVENANT “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-29

Denomination: Baptist

Greet The Friends By Name

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 9, 2008

The message encourages the people of God to capture again the attitude of friendship within the assembly.

3 JOHN 13-15 GREET THE FRIENDS BY NAME “I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, every one of them.” John’s third letter is to addressed to a ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:13-15

Denomination: Baptist