Sermons on Stark:

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

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

Everything New

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 21, 2018

The study contrasts Heaven with our present situation. What can we expect in Heaven? For many of us, we need to change our perception of what shall be.

“I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Dangerous Discipleship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2018

To be a follower of Christ is almost certain to be costly. Many turn from following Christ because they fear what it may cost. They are willing to be religious, but hesitate to embrace discipleship. We are called to embrace dangerous discipleship.

“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So, the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Seagulls In The Empress

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 3, 2018

The teaching you receive will either equip you to honour the Master or will serve to allow birds to invade and despoil your life.

“When the disciples went to the other side, they forgot to take bread. ‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So, they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, he said, ‘You ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Baptist

Reasons For Writing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 11, 2018

Confidence in our salvation is essential to vibrant life as a Christian. John writes to encourage believers to focus on what is essential for vigorous faith.

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” [1] The couple, a man and a woman, had come to the door professing concern for my welfare. Their concern was driven by certainty that a great, world-wide conflagration known as ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Approinted To This Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 21, 2018

Christians must realise that God appoints each of us to service within His Kingdom. We are not hired or voted to our work; God (as Sovereign) appoints.

“The LORD said to Aaron, ‘You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

A Reward For Obedience

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 17, 2020

Children are a divine blessing. Contemporary views depreciate the blessing of children, but even a cursory review of the Word reveals that children are a blessing from the hand of the Lord. Children are given to those with whom He is pleased.

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes It's Like A Jungle [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2020

Studying the response of Jesus to the devil's temptation lays a foundation for the child of God to withstand temptation.

“Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

If I Am A Man Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 31, 2020

I suppose the term "man of God" means different things to different people. However, we have the account of an individual who was called a "man of God" and commanded to respond to a king's command. Because he was a man of God, certain characteristics marked his life.

“After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. “Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, ‘Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.’ But the angel of the LORD ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist