Sermons on Stark:

We Do Not Lose Heart

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2023

When we grow discouraged, we will be encouraged by the knowledge of what God has done and what He is doing in our lives because of Christ our Lord.

“We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

Truths Worth Fighting For

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 26, 2023

Some truths, those that define the Faith of Christ the Lord, demand that we stand firm in defending them against distortion. The faithful depend upon each of us as followers of Christ to defend the Faith, speaking the truth in love.

“Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem ...read more

Scripture: Acts 15:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

A Portrait Of God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2023

The message is a study of the revelation of God as the Triune God.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” [1] You have undoubtedly heard the story of the little boy who was colouring at the kitchen table. When his mother asked him what he was colouring, he informed her that he was colouring ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:14

Denomination: Baptist

The Other Side Of The Storm

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 7, 2023

As Christians, we will pass through storms. Sometimes these storms will be violent. Yet, we are assured that when we pass through the storm, Christ will be with us. We shall not be overwhelmed. And on the other side of the storm, all will be at peace.

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Why Would You Say "yes?"*

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 16, 2023

The command God gave Noah made no sense on any level. Studying the account, we can no doubt learn something essential about faith.

“The earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 6:11-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Rabble Among Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2023

Association with a church does not translate to identification with Christ.

“The rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 11:4-6

Denomination: Baptist

A Wedding Message

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 4, 2023

A message presented at the wedding of a young man who was born during a previous pastorate. The young man, now twenty-five years of age, is a vibrant follower of Christ as is his bride. I was privileged to be invited to share in this special event.

Would [the parents of the bride], and [the parents of the groom], please stand. You have acknowledged that your children are a heritage from the Lord, and you have faithfully given of yourselves to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Now, they have come to a time of mature ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Secret Meeting With The King

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 6, 2023

Eventually, all people want to know what God is planning. However, even knowing what God plans does not mean that people will change their behaviour.

“King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance of the temple of the LORD. The king said to Jeremiah, ‘I will ask you a question; hide nothing from me.’ Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, ‘If I tell you, will you not surely put me to death? And if I give you counsel, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 38:14-28

Denomination: Baptist

Common Tools; Uncommon Tasks

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 12, 2023

God calls His people to serve now. He delights to use us with what we have, and not after some long, extended preparation in the distant future.

“Moses answered [the LORD], ‘But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The LORD did not appear to you.”’ The LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ He said, ‘A staff.’ And he said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ So he threw it on the ground, and it ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Taking No Chances

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2023

Incomplete obedience is disobedience. And yet, many fellow Christians attempt to serve God while living for the world. We need to discover the will of the Lord and courageously do that will.

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 15:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Something More

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 3, 2023

The errors that infiltrate the Faith are often characterised as teaching that attempts to present "something more." The Faith is simple and complete, requiring no addition from the fertile imagination of any person.

“Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:7-11

Denomination: Baptist

How Can We Sing The Lord's Songs In A Foreign Land?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 11, 2023

Our life as followers of Christ serve as either a hymn of praise pointing to our Saviour, or it serves as mere background noise for the delight of a dying world.

“[By the waters of Babylon] our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, ‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion!’ “How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” [1] “Our citizenship is in Heaven, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

A Funeral Sermon For A Dear Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 15, 2023

This dear woman requested that the message of Christ be clearly presented at her funeral.

Among the most difficult messages for a pastor to deliver is a funeral message for a godly member of the congregation. Among the easiest messages for a pastor to prepare is a funeral message for a godly member of the congregation. Messages for the vibrant child of God are easy to prepare because ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Funeral Message For An Unsaved Friend

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 16, 2023

This message was presented at the funeral of a longtime friend who never professed Christ. Many at the service were unsaved.

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them;’ before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When Life Crashes In?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 17, 2023

God always works in the life of His people, bringing glory out of our trials. Because He loves us, the pain experienced through our trials will exalt Him.

“As [the mob was] stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist