Sermons on Strain:

Smart Love - Philippians 1:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 29, 2021

Are you ready for the Day of Christ?

Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Life Without Regret

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 24, 2022

As a follower of Christ you will be compelled to enter into spiritual battle. Paul encourages us by pointing us to Christ and the strength that is His. Therefore, let us stand firm in the victory that our Lord has won on our behalf.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Can Transform Saul?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 4, 2022

The message is a contrast between a new convert named Saul and a mature follower of Christ named Paul. The intent of the message is to encourage Christian maturation in those who come to Christ in faith.

“When [Saul] had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

Walking Worthy Of Your Calling Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 10, 2020

In Ephesians 4:1–6 Paul appeals to believers to walk worthy of their high position in Jesus Christ. In describing that walk he discusses its 1) Call (Ephesians 4:1), 2) Characteristics (Ephesians 4:2-3), and its 3) Cause (Ephesians 4:4-6).

Ephesians 4:1-6 [4:1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

Denomination: Other

The Crown Has Fallen

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 25, 2021

In tumultuous times of national unrest, the people of God must turn to God to plead for their nation. The message is a call for God's people to see the danger in which we stand at this hour.

Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us; look, and see our disgrace! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners. We have become orphans, fatherless; our mothers are like widows. We must pay for the water we drink; the wood we get must be bought. Our pursuers ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 5:1-22

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

Series: Do Not Limit The Holy One Of Israel (Part 7): The Power Of The Lord Was Present That Day To Heal Them

Contributed by Jeremiah Menyongai on Mar 10, 2020

Sickness enters without knocking, changes plans, mocks certainty, diminishes hope, intrudes like a burglar. Such interruption occurred to a woman in Mark 5 and a man in Luke 5. They both experienced much losses and grew frustrated. That is until they came across Jesus.

DO NOT LIMIT THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (PART 7): THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT THAT DAY TO HEAL THEM 1. Mark 5: 24 So Jesus went with him (Jarius). A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-34, Luke 5:17, Psalm 78:41

Denomination: Charismatic

A Godly Mom In Desperate Times

Contributed by Steve Malone on May 4, 2021

Hannah provides a powerful example of being a mom in desperate times... and every mom experiences times of desperation.

A Godly Mom In Desperate Times MothersDay2019 VIDEO – socialmedia moms WELL – today is Mother’s Day, happy Mother’s day to all the moms that are out there! QUESTION – does anyone out there think that moms are awesome – amazing – incredible – wonderful - special? Moms, please come up front… ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The King Wants To See You

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2021

Christians, especially, must always remember those who have stood with them, honouring their memory and the kinship they have shared during hard times.

“David said, ‘Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’ Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ And he said, ‘I am your servant.’ And the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Crooks And Robbers And Thieves, Oh My! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 26, 2021

Christ receives even thieves and robbers when they receive Him as Master over life.

“After this [Jesus] went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Baptist

His Mighty Word Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 13, 2021

1 Peter 2:1-3. “His Mighty Word” 1) Remember our Life Source (1 Peter 2:1a), 2) Eliminate our Sins (1 Peter 2:1b), 3) Admit our Need (1 Peter 2:2a), 4) Pursue Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:2b), and 5) Survey our Blessings (1 Peter 2:3).

1 Peter 2:1-3 1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, -- that by it you may grow up into salvation 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV) A recent report from the Christian ministry ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-3

Denomination: Other

Breakthrough And Good Grief Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 24, 2020

The Body of Christ needs to learn how to administer “Good Grief” in times of loss, in crisis and in trauma situations of life. You may ask “Why?” answer is so we get spiritual breakthroughs and we help others get spiritual breakthroughs.

Video Transition: Lauren Daigle on Grief Our Theme this year - Breakthrough 2020 Thesis: In 2020 we are looking for spiritual breakthroughs in our lives, our souls, our families, our church, our school, and our community. This is our vision and prayer! But to get the desired breakthrough in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Job 3:26, Job 1:20-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Journey To Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 6, 2019

1) The Determination Executed (Luke 9:51-53), 2) The Discipleship Error (Luke 9:53-56), and 3) The Diversion Excuse (Luke 9:57-62).

Luke 9:51-62 [51] When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. [52] And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. [53] But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Other

Too Much Religion In The Wrong Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 12, 2019

Religion is the expression of one's faith put into practice. For many professed Christians, religion is all they have, because they don't have the faith of Christ the Lord. Too much religion will tend to lead us astray. Faith will lead us to Christ.

“When [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

Denomination: Baptist