Sermons on Stark:

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

One Year Later

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2008

A message urging a young church to emulate the Thessalonian Christians as they anticipate the future.

1 THESSALONIANS 1:2-10 ONE YEAR LATER “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

Denomination: Baptist

Demonic Wisdom Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 23, 2008

Many churches operate with demonic wisdom rather than with heavenly wisdom. James confronts us, calling us to recognise the evil that can destroy us.

JAMES 3:13-16 DEMONIC WISDOM “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder ...read more

Scripture: James 3:13-16

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

Against The Tide: Pushing Back Against The Moral Climate

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 18, 2012

Christians are called to be holy. However, we are not always certain what it means to be holy or how to achieve that status.

1 PETER 1:13-25 AGAINST THE TIDE (PUSHING BACK AGAINST THE MORAL CLIMATE) “Preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil In Pew Number Seven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2012

Pastors are to fulfil the ministry God has assigned with the help of strong, godly leaders from within the congregation.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Evil As A Duty [1]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 8, 2012

Morality is not what man wants it to be; morality is what God declares it to be.

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

Get Yourself A Real God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 16, 2012

Idolatry has been the threat to the people of God from earliest days. God calls us to destroy the idols of the heart and worship Him, the True and Living God.

“Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.” [1] Churches in the western world are pathetic caricatures of the once ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 10:5

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Life Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 4, 2010

When Jesus presents Himself as "The Life," What does that mean for us as followers?

JOHN 14: 6 JESUS, THE GREAT I AM: I AM THE LIFE “Jesus said … ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’” M any exist; few live. Even among the churches of our Lord, this statement holds true. Reflecting as we do, the society within which we are immersed, we Christians have become almost ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist