Sermons on Stark:

On The Death Of Heroes

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 9, 2019

The message is a call for men to be manly, despite knowing the cost that may be required of a man.

“David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said: “‘Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:17-27

Denomination: Baptist

No One Will Ever Know, Will They?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 15, 2019

The dark account of David's sin with Bathsheba serves as a warning for all who would please God to this day.

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. “It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Party Crasher

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 21, 2019

Christ receives sinners. Just so, the assemblies of our Lord should be noted for welcoming those who are identified as sinners, since we each were once estranged from the Lord until He welcomed us.

“One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Denomination: Baptist

Today I Have Begotten You Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 28, 2019

Christmas lends itself naturally to study of the Incarnation of our Lord. The truth of this doctrine is found in more places in the Word than we might imagine. Thus, the Incarnation is foundational to our understanding Christ's deity.

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:1-6

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

Creator? Or Angel? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2019

Christ is creator of heaven and earth. He is not, as some, even in ancient times contended, an angel. Christ was not created; He is Creator. Therefore, He is worthy to be praised and worshipped.

“‘You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Refuge From God's Wrath Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 20, 2019

Jesus became a man to deliver us from God's wrath. His birth does speak of divine justice, of heavenly mercy and God's love. But, that love delivers us from judgement. If we reject the love of God in Christ the Lord, nothing remains but God's wrath.

“I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ Now ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 2:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

A Christmas Hymn

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 24, 2019

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul appears to cite a hymn to extol Christ as Lord. The message, designed to be delivered on Christmas Eve, explores this hymn as Paul presented it.

By common confession, the secret of our godly worship is great: In flesh was he revealed to sight, kept righteous by the Spirit’s might, adored by angels singing. To nations was he manifest, believing souls found peace and rest, our Lord in heaven reigning! [1], [2] From earliest days, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Hear The Sound Of Marching?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2019

David's battles with the Philistines provide a model for Christians as they resist the intrusion of the world into daily life.

“The Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, ‘You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

Giants, Grasshoppers, And God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 2, 2020

A study of the response of the majority to the land God promised to the people of Israel provides standards for following God in our church and in our lives.

“The men who had gone up with [Caleb] said, ‘We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.’ So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, ‘The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Fair Test For Those Who Think They Prophesy

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 8, 2020

While "prophecy" so-called is popular among a segment of the faithful, the test of prophets is seldom applied. The test of accuracy and adherence to the Word of God must be applied to verify a prophecy.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 13:1-11

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

The Terrible Power Of A Traducing Tongue

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2023

It is not merely unbecoming for a Christian to slander or to malign a person, it is ungodly.

“An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.” “A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.” [1] Life in this modern age has trained us to accommodate the transformation of language. Modern society ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:4, Proverbs 17:20

Denomination: Baptist

Ordering Her Priorities

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 9, 2023

Making the Lord your priority leads to His blessing.

“The word of the LORD came to [Elijah], ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’ So, he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16

Denomination: Baptist