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

How Do You Define Success? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 28, 2015

Learning from Jesus how to be successful in His work.

“Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?’ And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

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

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

The Punishment Does Not Suit The Crime Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Oct 22, 2012

a study of the book of Judges chapter 19 verses 1 - 30

Judges 19: 1 – 30 The Punishment Does Not Suit The Crime And it came to pass in those days, when there was no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite staying in the remote mountains of Ephraim. He took for himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. 2 But his concubine played the ...read more

Scripture: Judges 19:1-30

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

Working With What You Have PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 23, 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

Jonah - His Message Then And Now Series

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Dec 19, 2004

Jonah’s real life story is on him as a Runaway from Duty, his Repentantance of Sin, his Restoration to Fellowship and Recommissioning for Service

My first encounter with Jonah was when I was in my teens. Perhaps the preacher was parading his modern scholarship or talking “tongue in cheek”, but he certainly startled his congregation by saying that he wasn’t concerned “if Jonah was swallowed by a whale or if Jonah swallowed the whale!” He ...read more

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 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

The Wonder Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Aaron Burgess on Dec 29, 2001

The coming of Jesus to this world immediately began to change the lives of those around him.

The Wonder of Christmas Luke 2:1-20 A ninety year old couple sat on the front porch one night. The old man was overcome with the romance of the evening and he said to his hard of hearing wife, “I’m proud of you.” “Huh,” she said. “I’m proud of you.” “I’m tired of you too,” she said. More ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Is Wrong With Halloween

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 16, 2002

Halloween is a Satanic Holiday!

’WHAT IS WRONG WITH HALLOWEEN?" Thesis: Halloween is a Satanic Holiday! Material and information taken from the book “Halloween and Satanism” by Phil Phillips and Joan Hake Robie. TEXT: II Cor. 6:15-17 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in common with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:15-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational