Sermons on Thankfulness:

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

Moses, The Wisdom Of The Egyptians, And Modern Education

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 9, 2024

God will use you and what you bring to Him for His glory. But God does not depend on your education to advance His cause.

Earlier this year, I read an opinion piece that opened with these thought-provoking words. “Imagine a world where your child becomes the child of the state, effectively no longer under your care or influence. Their heart, soul, mind, and body are captured by the state's dictates, philosophy, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 7:20-38

Denomination: Baptist

When You Don't Know What To Ask Him To Do...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 22, 2023

If Jesus was to appear before you, asking you what you want Him to do for you, what would you say? The message is intended to be a challenge for us to boldly ask the Master for that one thing that weighs our hearts.

“As [Jesus and His disciples] went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, ‘Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!’ The crowd rebuked them, telling them to be silent, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:29-34

Denomination: Baptist

Christ And The Social Condition

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 27, 2023

Jesus came to give His life as a sacrifice for fallen mankind. He will reign as King, but that reign awaits His return.

“When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, ‘This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!’ “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.” [1] Few of the miracles Jesus performed had ...read more

Scripture: John 6:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Spiritual Nature Of Work

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 30, 2023

A message for the Labour Day weekend, emphasising that the work we perform and the manner in which we work reflect our understanding of God.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” [1] The necessity of going to work Monday morning despite being exhausted from the “rest and relaxation” pursued ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

Advancing In The Kingdom Of God

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Sep 1, 2023

When we face difficulties in life, it's important to know that we're not alone, for when we summit ourselves to God by living a holy life in allowing his Holy Spirit to direct our path, Angel armies are sent to work alongside us for the sole purpose of advancing his kingdom.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Ephesians 1:3-4) (3) “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” (4) “According as He chose us in Him before ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-4, Psalm 113:7-8, Esther 8:15, Matthew 16:18-19, Psalm 91:3-7, Hebrews 12:22, Hebrews 1:7, Psalm 34:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grumble-Free Zone - James 5:8-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

How to win the war against irritability

When you are being mistreated, strengthen your heart (so that you don’t become double-minded) because His coming is near (we need to be ready for it). And be nice. Suffering tends to make us irritable with each other, but we must be peacemakers instead, lest we be judged. God hates ...read more

Scripture: James 5:8-9

Was A Pre-Tribulation Rapture Taught Before The 1800's?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 3, 2022

There have been numerous teaching surges of the "Rapture" and what happens at the return of Jesus over the last 50+ years that have brought confusion and fear.

Most often, the teaching re-appears during times of world crisis, social upheaval, pandemics, war, rumors of war, etc., etc., to help bring focus on the soon coming return of Jesus who will stop it all and set up His Kingdom on Earth for 1,000 years. The Second Coming of Jesus is the blessed ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, John 5:28-29, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Futility Of Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 14, 2022

Religious exercise can become a snare if in our efforts we fail to seek the Lord. Religion for the sake of religion is a dreadful snare.

“Like a pregnant woman who writhes and cries out in her pangs when she is near to giving birth, so were we because of you, O LORD; we were pregnant, we writhed, but we have given birth to wind. We have accomplished no deliverance in the earth, and the inhabitants of the world have not ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 26:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Oh No! I’m Becoming Mean! Help Me! Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on May 29, 2022

How do you live when you've got mean people around who are doing things that are mean or critical?

In your bulletin you have an insert about the family summer family nights. Notice that one of the choices you have for adults is the Complement option. I'm concerned about your marriage. It's a small group about marriage. And I would encourage you if you're married to sign up for that. ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Enough Is Enough Series

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 13, 2022

The same God that heard and answered Elijah's prayers, the same God that brought the rain, is the same God that is with us today. What a marvelous joy the foundation before us upon which we can rebuild the altars in our heart, that He is with us every step of the way.

Is Religion Good for Society? When preparing this message, I came across a survey conducted by the NCLS (or National Church Life Survey) that was released in November 2019. This survey has been conducted among 20 different denominations every five years since 1991, and surveys several thousand ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:19-46

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Yes Means Yes - James 5:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 17, 2022

Let your yes be yes, otherwise you will be condemned? Is James saying you will go to hell if you tell a lie? Haven't all people told lies?

James 5:12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. Introduction Fraud According to one criminologist, the #1 crime in America today is fraud. I don’t know how many convictions there ...read more

Scripture: James 5:12, Matthew 5:37

Blinded Minds Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jul 1, 2022

Romans 1:24–32 vividly portrays the consequences of a blinded mind to God and God’s abandonment of the rebellious showing: 1) The Essence (Romans 1:24–25), 2) The Expression (Romans 1:26–27), and 3) The Extent (Romans 1:28–32) of human sinfulness.

Romans 1:24–32. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:24-32

Denomination: Other

Hope In The Darkness Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2023

God's curse pronounced against the serpent gave hope to the fallen pair who had rebelled against their Creator. That hope is fulfilled in the salvation offered in Christ the Lord.

“The LORD God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion.?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2023

While we would never encourage a church to be "woke," there is a biblical expectation that we will practise Scriptural diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as demonstrated by Jesus.

“[Jesus] came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:16-30

Denomination: Baptist