Sermons on Summum Bonum:

Why Does God Judge A Nation?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2020

Through the Prophet Amos, God provides the reasons for judging the nations around Judah and Israel, as well as His own people. The reasons for His judgement stands against nations to this day.

“Thus says the LORD: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What The New Year Holds Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2017

The desperate times in which we live provides some of the greatest opportunities to advance the Faith. Now is the time for the faithful to seize the initiative and push back against the night.

“I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” [1] “X-rays will prove to be a hoax!” So said Lord Kelvin, president of the Royal Society, in 1883. “Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When The Bottom Drops Out Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2024

Even the righteous suffer when judgement is poured out on the nation. God's people are what holds back judgement at this time.

“How the gold has grown dim, how the pure gold is changed! The holy stones lie scattered at the head of every street. “The precious sons of Zion, worth their weight in fine gold, how they are regarded as earthen pots, the work of a potter’s hands!” [LAMENTATIONS 4:1-2] [1] What a dramatic ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

God Of The Amen

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 15, 2025

God stands athwart the evil that people embrace. He blesses those who endeavour to serve Him, and curses those who seek to promote themselves.

“Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, my servants shall eat, you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; behold, my servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for pain of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 65:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Sustained By Unrecognised Strength

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2025

God chooses nations just s He chooses individuals. God preserves those whom He chooses, holding them responsible to fulfil His will.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” [1] “Who makes you ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 46:3-4

Denomination: Baptist

Dirty Dancing

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 27, 2019

Christ Followers can anticipate persecution from the world. However, they are called to live holy, gentle lives in the midst of a fallen world, honouring the Father through righteous lives and by inviting the lost salvation in Christ.

“When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.’ And the king was sorry, but because ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Denomination: Baptist

Theology Proper: Knowing God As The Highest Good Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 5, 2014

Introduction to Theology Proper: Knowing God is the highest good we can seek in life and from this intimate knowledge every other good flows.

Knowing God as the Highest Good In Latin, there is a phrase called summum bonum, which means “the highest good out of which all other good flows.” In this section, we will see how Scripture teaches that knowing God is the highest good above all other good things. The highest good is ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:23-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Judging, We Are Judged Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 23, 2017

The Word cautions Christians against a judgemental attitude. When we imagine that we are judging others--even those we identify as "wicked sinners," we expose ourselves to the very judgements we pronounce.

“You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things.” [1] “We know” is an expression used ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Change Inevitable, Growth Optional

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Jul 8, 2023

But our world seems bound to turn its back on God’s gift.

Fifteenth Sunday in Course (A) Originally 13 July 2008 edited 2023 “Farmers are the founders of human civilization,” said Daniel Webster. Farming and gardening are just the same the analogies chosen by the Lord to illustrate a profound truth about the loving mercy of our God. Moreover, if we pay ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23, Romans 8:18-23, Isaiah 55:10-11, Psalm 65:10-13

Denomination: Catholic

A Church Going Astray

Contributed by Richard Bowman on Sep 19, 2023

Paul is concerned that the Galatians, after accepting the Gospel, are drifting away.

A CHURCH GOING ASTRAY Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor Text: Galatians 4:1-7 (see also 7-20): Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:1-7

Pride: The Kyrptonite Of The Poor In Spirit (Blessed Are The Poor) Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Jul 2, 2015

Introduction: A “Blessed” is mentioned nine times in the Beatitudes. 1 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 (NASB)

The Beatitudes: 2015 Summer Sermon Series Pride: The Kyrptonite of The Poor in Spirit (Blessed Are The Poor) 6/14/15 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A “Blessed” is mentioned nine times in the Beatitudes. 1 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger In Growing Strong

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2018

Uzziah was blessed beyond measure ... until he grew strong. His life, and his actions when he grew strong, serve as a warning to the Christian to beware of depending on oneself rather than depending on the Lord.

“In Jerusalem [Uzziah] made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong. “But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:15-16

Denomination: Baptist