Sermons on Stark:

When Judging, We Are Judged Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2017

The Word cautions Christians against a judgemental attitude. When we imagine that we are judging others--even those we identify as "wicked sinners," we expose ourselves to the very judgements we pronounce.

“You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” [1] “We know” is an expression used ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Justified? Or Judged? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 30, 2017

Is there a way for us to make ourselves acceptable to God? The Apostle Paul teaches that such a thought is an impossibility.

“We know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” [1] “So that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Grateful For Our Elder Brothers

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 8, 2017

A plea for Christians to turn from anti-Semitism and to love Israel for Christ's sake.

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? ‘Lord, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 11:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Judged By My Own Actions Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 15, 2017

A study of the continual struggle each believer faces as the Spirit confronts the flesh.

“If it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’ But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:7-20

Denomination: Baptist

What We Learn From Creation's Groanings Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 21, 2017

The sorrow we experience as we witness the devolution of culture creates a longing for Heaven and for Christ.

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Hell Is The Default Destination!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 28, 2017

All people are destined for Hell, except for those who accept the intervention of Christ the Lord.

“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

All Things! Really? All Things? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 5, 2017

When Paul writes "for those who love God all things work together for good," he writes to encourage Christians not to be discouraged by trials. "All things" urges us to look beyond the moment to see the glory that is to be revealed.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

When Common Knowledge Fails Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 12, 2017

"Everyone knows" can become an excuse for our bias in the church. The Apostle instructs us to see our strength as imposing responsibility rather than conferring privilege.

“Concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. “Therefore, as to the eating of food ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Facing The Unknown Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 19, 2017

None of us know with certainty what lies ahead after we are gathered to Christ. However, Paul encourages believers to look forward, preparing ourselves for what is surely coming.

“We know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10, 2 Corinthians 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Justification Through Faith In Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2017

A brief study of justification by faith in Christ the Lord and a review of some reasons why human effort can never justify an individual.

“We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

Does The Virgin Birth Matter? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 2, 2017

The virgin birth is necessary if prophecy is to be fulfilled. Satan sought to usurp the place of God, appropriating worship to himself. Though he did deceive our first mother, God intervened to ensure that he could not destroy mankind.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Immanuel (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 10, 2017

A brief study of Isaiah's prophecy promising the birth of a child known as Immanuel.

“The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” [1] Signs loom large in the Word of God. I don’t mean to imply that there is a plethora of signs, though there are many signs provided in the Bible, for various reasons; I ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Immanuel (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 16, 2017

The message is a brief review of how our modern Christmas observance came to be. It is a call for Christians to remember what it must be if we will know the power and the peace of the Saviour.

“The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

When The Fullness Of Time Had Come... Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2017

A review of Paul's understanding of the Virgin Birth of our Lord. The impact of being a "son of God" through faith in the Risen Christ.

“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, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So, you are no ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist