Sermons on Straw:

Destination Bethlehem: A Stable Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 27, 2015

God chose the most humble circumstances possible for the entrance of His Son into the world. He did this that we might know His love and receive Him as one of us.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7, Isaiah 9:6

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says, "don't Pray For Them!"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 16, 2021

God holds all mankind to account. All face judgement, and some are judged now. When God judges individuals and even communities, He informs His people, saying, "Don't pray for them!"

“Thus says the LORD concerning this people [Israel]: ‘They have loved to wander thus; they have not restrained their feet; therefore, the LORD does not accept them; now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.’ “The LORD said to me: ‘Do not pray for the welfare of this people. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 14:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

And God Created Mosquitos

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 30, 2020

A study of the effects of the fall of our first parents and the ramifications for creation. The follower of Christ lives in anticipation of the restoration of all things.

“God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Creation was “very good.” God Himself declared this to be the case. Yet, if in spite of citronella candles, mosquito coils, or insect repellant liberally applied to ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:31

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Greatness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 1, 2025

The future is built on decisions we make today. God calls and we are to obey.

“On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 19:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

God Appoints His Servant To Hard Tasks!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 16, 2024

As one who follows the Risen Lord, you may be assured that Christ has assigned you to do a particular task. And that task will require your finest effort, because God appoints His servant to hard tasks.

“The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’ Then I said, ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.’ But the LORD said to me, ‘Do ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

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

Working With What You Have PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 24, 2025

God values faithful stewardship of whatever we’re given, no matter how small, and calls us to trust Him and courageously use our gifts for His glory.

Some of God’s best work begins with something small. A seed the size of a freckle. A lunch packed by a mom. A shepherd boy with a sling. A widow with two coins. Our Father loves to place grace in small packages and watch courage unwrap them. You may feel your life is “just” a handful of minutes ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Topics: Growth, Stewardship, Increase

The Consequences Of A Hard Heart Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Sep 12, 2001

Pharaoh’s four responses to God when he is commanded to let the Children of God go, illustrate the consequences of a hard heart.

A Study of the Life of Moses Sermon # 7 “The Consequences of a Hard Heart” Exodus 7-10 Dr. John R. Hamby Proverbs 29:1 states the biblical principle, “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Only God Is God Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

Moses Confronts Pharaoh with the warning that only yahweh is truly God.

Exodus 5:1-10:29 Well, the moment of confrontation has come. Our reluctant hero has agreed to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let the people of Israel go. He’s left his Father in law’s sheep in the desert and now comes to the door of Pharaoh’s palace. (Ex 5) You can imagine how he must have been ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Passover Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Oct 18, 2000

God has recorded his dealings with his people for our benefit, so we can trust him to carry out his promises knowing how he’s carried them out in the past.

Exodus 11:1-12:14 I remember talking to a girl of about 15 a number of years ago who was struggling with the question of whether she was really a Christian. She’d grown up in a Christian family and had always been a Christian, but now was having to work out what that meant for herself. Her parents ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

The Ark Of The Lord

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Oct 18, 2000

The story of the Ark’s return to Jerusalem is a sharp reminder of what happens if God’s instructions are flouted and the blessing that obedience brings.

THE ARK OF THE LORD I expect some of you will, like me, have wasted a couple of hours watching the film "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark". It’s a fantasy adventure story loosely based on the fact that the Ark of the Covenant was lost without trace nearly two and a half thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Home Truths For Christians

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Nov 4, 2000

James diagnoses some problems in the churches to which he writes and offers some home truths concerning the Christians' having the Wrong Spirit, the Wrong Friendship and the Wrong Attitude.

HOME TRUTHS FOR CHRISTIANS The letter written by James is very direct and personal in its message - he doesn't pull his punches. Martin Luther wasn't very keen on this book - he called it "an epistle of straw" because it didn't say much about Jesus or the Cross. But that's an incorrect reading of ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Savior Has Been Born!

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 21, 2000

It’s a simple & familiar story, but I urge you to look again at this precious story with all your heart & all your mind.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2019) (PowerPoints used with this message are available for free. Just email me at mnewland@sstelco.com and request PP#247) TEXT: Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Who To Moses' Why

Contributed by David Moore on Feb 21, 2001

How God responds to the "why" questions of life.

The “Who” To Moses “Why” By David Moore, Pastor, Braehill Baptist Church, Belfast, Northern Ireland Text: Exodus 6:1-8 Introduction: Phillip Brooks, a famous pastor of the 19th century, was in his office, pacing the floor, frustrated. Somebody walked in and saw him and asked, "What’s the matter, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of The Warm Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 24, 2001

Christmas can be a very stressful time. But Simeon and Anna hold 3 secrets to getting hold of the peace and tranquility that Christmas is supposed to offer us.

AP story reported in the Indianapolis Star 12/25/99 Dateline LOS ANGELES – A shopping mall Santa Claus had a meltdown after refusing to cuddle a bawling toddler, calling the mother evil and ripping off his beard and costume in front of startled children. Kelly Fornatoro, 33, said she told Santa ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:21-40

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ