Sermons on Stark:

"When Standing Alone..." Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 6, 2017

Christians who pursue honouring Christ can anticipate standing alone against the enemies of Christ. How shall the child of God react when compelled to stand alone, without even a fellow saint to stand with him or her?

“At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

The God Whom We Know

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 10, 2018

What do we know about God? Does what we know influence our response to Him and to others? These are the issues explored in this message.

“We know him who said, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” [1] Few portions of the Word are calculated to give the Christian pause as is this one verse. The Living God does not ignore ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:30-31

Denomination: Baptist

Private Worship Is Essential For A Healthy Relationship With God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2018

Though public worship is vital to the growth of a congregation, private worship must never be neglected. In fact, private worship is essential if we will worship corporately. The message explores by examining an incident in the life of Gideon.

“As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped.” [1] Pastors will not have spent much time in the pastorate until they learn the awful truth that preparing for worship is such intense work and so demanding that worship may often be ignored! It is a tragic ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Bowling Alone: Dying For Lack Of Hope

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 24, 2018

The aloneness that has become a hallmark of our modern age presents a great opportunity for the people of God to present the message of life. As Christ calls people to rest in Him, the churches must echo that call.

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [1] Robert Putnam raised a red flag for people living in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Holiday For Fools

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 31, 2018

Who is a fool? The one who worships a living Saviour? Or the one who says he needs no god? The message is a presentation of the reasonable position of worshipping Christ who conquered death.

“Fools say to themselves, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good. “The LORD looks down from the heavens upon humanity to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God. All have turned away, together they have become corrupt; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 14:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

You Got What You Wanted, But You Lost What You Had!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 7, 2018

We must guard against pursuing our desires at the expense of do what honours God. Christians, especially, can lose effectiveness in service if they fail to consider the cost of their choices.

GENESIS 25:29-34 YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED, BUT YOU LOST WHAT YOU HAD! [1] Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore, his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Making The Pagans Happy (For A While)

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2018

Godliness exalts a nation. Ungodliness condemns a nation. A study of the migration of godly people from a nation turning from righteousness and the impact their leaving had on that nation and the nation to which the immigrated.

“The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel presented themselves to him from all places where they lived. For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out from serving as priests of the LORD, and he ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 11:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Under Water

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 27, 2018

Jonah's prayer from the belly of a fish serves to encourage Christians to pray, especially when under water.

“Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying “‘I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

What About John?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2019

Our Lord appoints each of His followers to a particular task. Though the task may appear difficult, it is common that we Christians attempt to turn His command by asking what He is doing in the life of another. We need to learn to focus on His work in our own life.

“[Jesus said] ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was ...read more

Scripture: John 21:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Clergy In Conflict

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2019

Honouring the Son of God who appoints to holy service may well bring the servant of God into conflict with those who are seeking an easy religion. The one who will serve God, must maintain perspective and remain focused on pleasing Him who appoints to His service.

“Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, ‘Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos has said, ‘“Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile away from his ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

Living At The Centre Of The Universe

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 26, 2019

Christians are secure in Christ. Because this is true, it behooves us to know Him--really know Who He is. The message explores Paul's revelation of Jesus as very God in his letter to the congregation in Colossae.

[1] “[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Family Out Of Control; A Prophet Under God's Control

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 1, 2019

God commanded Hosea to marry a prostitute. This ensured that his was a dysfunctional family. A study of Hosea will encourage Christians as we struggle with honouring God through our families.

“The LORD said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.’ So, I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. And I said ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 3:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Casualties Of Divine Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2019

The message explores how Christians can avoid becoming casualties of divine service. There is a high cost demanded of those who will serve Christ, and we must not imagine that we will be spared paying that cost. However, in standing firm with Christ, we will stand victorious.

“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.’ Then he was afraid, and he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Life At The Back Of The Cave

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2019

How shall we respond when despondent or depressed? God may allow trials in order to drive us to Him. This study of Elijah's downfall seeks to encourage those who are depressed.

“[Elijah] came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-18

Denomination: Baptist