Sermons on Suspect:

The Glory Of Christ Is Witnessed Where?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 19, 2019

The glory of Christ is witnessed in what many consider to be the pedestrian. The people of God, serving as the hands of Christ, the eyes of Christ, the mouth of Christ, are the glory of Christ.

“As for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.” [1] Reading the Word one Sunday morning, I was arrested by something Paul wrote in his Second Letter to the Christians in Corinth. The Apostle has been urging the Corinthian congregation to be generous as they ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:23

Denomination: Baptist

Beware Of Favoritism

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 7, 2019

A study in the book of James 2: 1 – 26

James 2: 1 – 26 Beware of Favoritism 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay ...read more

Scripture: James 2:2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Moving Out Of Your Comfort Zone

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2019

The child of God is encouraged to seek His presence and His power so that they can excel in life. We must never permit ourselves to live at less than our best to the praise of His glory.

“The sons of Judah: Perez, Hezron, Carmi, Hur, and Shobal. Reaiah the son of Shobal fathered Jahath, and Jahath fathered Ahumai and Lahad. These were the clans of the Zorathites. These were the sons of Etam: Jezreel, Ishma, and Idbash; and the name of their sister was Hazzelelponi, and Penuel ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

O Lord, Just Kill Me!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 22, 2019

God's mercy and our anger can often be in conflict. Such conflict can lead to discouragement that in turn can lead to despair. The child of God must guard his/her heart to avoid falling into deep gloom leading to thoughts of suicide.

“[God’s mercy toward Nineveh] displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

The Prison Of God's Promotion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 25, 2020

Your restriction, though onerous, may be God's means of bringing glory to His Name through promoting you. This becomes obvious through a study of Joseph's trials and promotion as God worked in his life.

“Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

What's Fair About That?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 1, 2018

God's overwhelming generosity is difficult to comprehend, though every Christian has experienced that generosity. We must avoid attempting to cast God in our image, learning instead of the extravagant grace with which He showers each of us.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Does Wealth Count? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2016

Wealth can blind us to the riches of Christ when they assume an improper place in our lives.

“A man came up to [Jesus], saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

All Things! Really? All Things? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 5, 2017

When Paul writes "for those who love God all things work together for good," he writes to encourage Christians not to be discouraged by trials. "All things" urges us to look beyond the moment to see the glory that is to be revealed.

“The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Fighting Fundamentalist Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2014

Labels are applied easily--some are undeserved, and some should be embraced. If we stand with Christ and His Word, we can anticipate vilification. Paul obviously expected elders to stand firming on some truths.

“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2-5

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah Part 1 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Aug 31, 2018

His story reminds us of how adversity drives us deeper into God and develops us into the man or women God wants us to be.

Elijah Opening Video Illustration: “I love Sunday’s video!” Bank Robbery Reference the door in the corner! We need to enter the battle – the fight for the souls of others by inviting people back to church- it starts by going to peoples doors – the doors of their hearts – to introduce them to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:29-33, 1 Kings 17:1-24, 1 Kings 18:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lust Is Not Love

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 7, 2018

A study in the book of 2 Samuel 13: 1 – 39

2 Samuel 13: 1 – 39 Lust is not love 13 After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. 2 Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Paul’s Motives Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 18, 2018

“The fear of the Lord,” often signifies the worship of the Lord, or that religious reverence which we owe to Him.

June 10, 2014 Tom Lowe The Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians Lesson II.B.6.a: Paul’s Motives. (5:11-15) 2nd Corinthians 5:11-15 (NKJV) 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Approinted To This Service

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 21, 2018

Christians must realise that God appoints each of us to service within His Kingdom. We are not hired or voted to our work; God (as Sovereign) appoints.

“The LORD said to Aaron, ‘You and your sons and your father’s house with you shall bear iniquity connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear iniquity connected with your priesthood. And with you bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 18:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise In The Graveyard

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 28, 2018

How does the resurrection of Lazarus impact people in this day? Since Jesus has power over life and death, we see that He alone can give life to those dead in sin.

“A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So, the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Friend Of God - James 2:20-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 6, 2021

We are often told to trust God. But this passage makes trust seem more desirable by casting it in the context of friendship. This message defines friendship and explores what it means to have that with God.

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical ...read more

Scripture: James 2:20-24