Sermons on Stark:

Why Does God Judge A Nation?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2020

Through the Prophet Amos, God provides the reasons for judging the nations around Judah and Israel, as well as His own people. The reasons for His judgement stands against nations to this day.

“Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Spirit God Gave Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 21, 2020

The Spirit of God lives in each twice-born follower of Christ. Because He lives in us, we are enabled to walk in power, to love as God loves, and to act with divine wisdom. God calls us to be controlled by the Spirit He placed in each of us.

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” [1] She was a recent convert to Christ, and she was in tears when she phoned me. The lady was suffering from disquieting events that were occurring each night. Each evening after retiring to her bed, a malevolent presence ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7

Denomination: Baptist

When You Look At God, Who Do You See?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 13, 2020

Our view of God depends upon our perspective. Sinners see God as vengeful; saints see God as a refuge. Thus, our relationship to God determines how we view Him.

“The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the ...read more

Scripture: Nahum 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Things God Will Not Tell Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2020

God permits His people to think His thoughts after Him. However, our finite minds are unable to discover all that can be known of God and of His work in the lives of people.

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” [1] You should always be suspicious of the one who claims superior knowledge. Should he claim to know the deep secrets of God, RUN! ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 29:29

Denomination: Baptist

The Eternal Throne Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2019

The Letter to Hebrew Christians emphasizes the deity of Christ Jesus. Even long ago, some wanted to reduce His divinity to the status of a mere demigod, by identifying Him as an angel. The Word is quite aggressive in presenting Jesus as the Son of God, Himself very God.

“Of the angels [God] says, ‘He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.’ “But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Cheating The Labourer Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2020

James cautions us against cheating those to whom we are indebted. The message explores some of the parameters of this admonition.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Communion - Open, Closed, Or Cracked? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 7, 2020

Is the Communion Meal Open to all who profess Christ? Or is it overseen by the congregation hosting the meal and thus restricted to those who are in open fellowship with the assembly? The message is a study of this controversial question.

“In the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-32

Denomination: Baptist

Make The House You Have The Home You Want

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 14, 2020

The message is a plea for Christians to ensure that their families are provided with a model for Christian living and that all within the family know the message of life in the Son of God.

“Fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Unwelcomed In Zion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2020

A review and application of the ministry of Amos, known to standing with God and against religion.

“Amaziah said to Amos, ‘O seer, go, flee away to the land of Judah, and eat bread there, and prophesy there, but never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king’s sanctuary, and it is a temple of the kingdom.’ “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, ‘I was no prophet, nor a prophet’s son, but I ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Imperfect Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 26, 2020

If someone is looking for perfection in the Bride of Christ, they are not likely to find it. People focus on an ideal symmetry, but God gives His perfection to imperfect. We will be perfected at the return of our Saviour.

“He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” [1] Most of us don’t have to look very far to find things we don’t like about ourselves. Young women are trained by society to starve themselves in order to achieve a look they imagine will bring ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:2

Denomination: Baptist

Rejected! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2020

What does it mean that Jesus was despised and rejected? Are we who call ourselves Christians guilty of despising the Son of God, even rejecting Him? The message is a challenge to examine our lives to ensure that we honour Christ Jesus the Saviour.

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” [1] During these festive days of celebrating the birth of the Son of God, Christ is the unrecognized guest at multiplied tables ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicted Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 11, 2020

The Messiah has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. What does that mean to us in our modern world? That is the question raised in this study of Isaiah's presentation of the Suffering Saviour.

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” [1] Christmas has traditionally been a time of festive joy. Families gather to feast and to exchange gifts, friends are invited to share in joyous, even raucous celebration, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:4

Denomination: Baptist

Wounded! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 19, 2020

The message is a reflection on the sacrifice of the Christ--why it was necessary for Him to be pierced and why it was required that He be crushed. The message is a reminder that our peace results from His suffering in our place.

“He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” [1] Midst the ubiquitous celebrations of this Christmas Season, as the streets of our cities are decorated with colourful banners ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:5

Denomination: Baptist

Redeemed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2020

A Christmas Eve meditation to be presented via Facebook Live. Christ was born so that fallen people can be redeemed. The message is a call to look to Christ, especially during this Christmas Season.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” [1] Christmas without Christ is meaningless! If Christ, the Lord of Glory, is not the focus of our celebration, what are we celebrating? Snow? Cold? Darkness? ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:6

Denomination: Baptist

Can The Contemporary Church Be Salvaged?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2014

We shall either live as followers of Christ or as enemies of the cross of Christ. There is no in between.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:17-21

Denomination: Baptist