Sermons on Statement:

Contentment Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 3, 2020

Election results will leave half the voters disappointed. This message instructs Christians on how to deal with the ups and downs of life.

Intro We are in a study of Philippians. The key verse in this epistle is Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind [mindset; way of thinking] be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”i Throughout this letter Paul is teaching us the way we should think about our lives. It is the pathway to abundant ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 10:12, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 5:6, Deuteronomy 8:1-17, Ecclesiastes 1:8, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Romans 14:17, Proverbs 27:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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

Honouring The Elders Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 11, 2014

What is congregational responsibility to elders? How does a congregation honour the elders?

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’ Do not admit a charge ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:17-20

Denomination: Baptist

What About The Younger Widows Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 15, 2014

Having provided instruction for establishing an order of widows, Paul proscribes enrolling younger widows and justifies his position.

“Refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Responding To Threats Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 17, 2014

False teachers threaten the health of the Community of Faith, just as errant doctrine threatens the spiritual welfare of the people of God. The message considers how the elder is to respond to such threats.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” [1] The people of God live under constant threat even to their lives. Jesus warned His people, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11

Denomination: Baptist

Balaam: Was He A Prophet Of God? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 20, 2016

Can God speak through an imperfect individual? We are studying the life and "ministry" of Balaam to discover the pertinence of his life to our own lives.

“The people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people of Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 22:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Creation Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 29, 2021

1) Who Created What? (Genesis 1:1), 2) Where did God Create? (Genesis 1:2), 3) How did God Create? (Genesis 1:3), 4) Why did God Create? (Genesis 1:4), 5) When did God Create? (Genesis 1:5)

Genesis 1:1-5. [1:1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-5

Denomination: Other

Oh No! I’m Becoming Mean! Help Me! Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on May 29, 2022

How do you live when you've got mean people around who are doing things that are mean or critical?

In your bulletin you have an insert about the family summer family nights. Notice that one of the choices you have for adults is the Complement option. I'm concerned about your marriage. It's a small group about marriage. And I would encourage you if you're married to sign up for that. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

This Ain't No Joke!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 13, 2023

What will be required for you as a follower to Christ to believe His commands? Receiving Him as Master over life leads us to accept His commands.

“Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will ...read more

Scripture: John 20:24-29

Denomination: Baptist

Too Silly For A Funeral; Too Serious For A Party

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 2, 2019

Christians must be aware of becoming hypercritical of divine work and of other believers, ascribing what is done as unworthy of Christ. To explore this situation, the message is a study of Jesus' censure of the generation in which He then lived.

“Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Wrong About The Shepherd

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 21, 2024

To fail to receive Christ as Shepherd of the soul is to position oneself outside of God's flock.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Men Have Forgotten God

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 11, 2025

God must judge the sin of societies, and He does so even now. In the midst of judgement, He shows mercy to all who look to Him.

“The joy of our hearts has ceased; our dancing has been turned to mourning. The crown has fallen from our head; woe to us, for we have sinned! For this our heart has become sick, for these things our eyes have grown dim, for Mount Zion which lies desolate; jackals prowl over it. But you, O ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:15-22

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

Do You Want To Go Away?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 4, 2023

As the message delivered by Jesus transitions for followers to embrace Him as Master, many chose to leave. The Lord questioned His disciples, asking, "Do you want to go away as well?" Peter answered for all who will follow the Saviour, asking, "Lord, to whom shall we go?"

“Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’” [1] Christ will never compel anyone to remain as one who is counted among the faithful. If a person is determined to “quit” pretending that ...read more

Scripture: John 6:67-68

Denomination: Baptist