Sermons on the cleft rock:

Dangerous Discipleship

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 26, 2018

To be a follower of Christ is almost certain to be costly. Many turn from following Christ because they fear what it may cost. They are willing to be religious, but hesitate to embrace discipleship. We are called to embrace dangerous discipleship.

“When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So, the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Pieces Of Silver And A Suit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 26, 2017

Religion is cheap. Those who seek to perpetuate religion will sell the Faith for a pittance. The message calls on the faithful to distinguish between those seeking a job in the ministry and those who are appointed by God to minister.

“Now there was a young man of Bethlehem in Judah, of the family of Judah, who was a Levite, and he sojourned there. And the man departed from the town of Bethlehem in Judah to sojourn where he could find a place. And as he journeyed, he came to the hill country of Ephraim to the house of Micah. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Charge To The Rich Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 20, 2014

Paul instructs Christians who possess wealth their responsibility in employing what God has entrusted to them.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

Certainty In A Question Mark World Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 19, 2016

Defining and utilizing God's gift's of the Body of Christ, the Word of God and the indwelling Spirit.

“As for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

As We Come, So We Leave

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 30, 2016

Exploring the purpose of wealth through reviewing Solomon's dark book.

“There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Faith 101 Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

When someone directs us to do something, before we take the first step, most of us want to know all the details. Abraham didn’t ask; he just kept on moving by faith until he came to this land that was going to one day be Israel.

INTRODUCTION In college, usually the most basic freshman courses are labeled “101.” It may be Algebra 101, History 101, Calculus 101 or something like that. Today I want to teach from Romans 4, some of the basics about faith. My favorite uncle was Uncle Charles, my mother’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Freedom Of Choice Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

Have you ever thought about how through the centuries God has preserved the Jewish people and they have maintained their identity even though they have been scattered all over the planet Earth? Why? Because God preserved them.

INTRODUCTION Today we are going to be talking about the sovereign selection of God, the Grace of God, the gracious character of God. You know there is so much in the Bible I do not understand, but I just accept it and believe it. I don’t have to understand it for me to believe it. I heard ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:4-18

Denomination: Baptist

Wake Up And Get Dressed! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 30, 2014

Sometimes people are so content they get into a spiritual rut where nothing ever changes. Part of the problem is with us preachers. There is so much Sermonic Sominex dispensed in churches today, it lulls people to sleep.

INTRODUCTION Open your Bibles, please, to Romans 13, verse 11. Today I want to talk to you about “Wake Up and Get Dressed!” So you won’t have to keep looking at your watch, I’m putting a clock up here for you. I know for some of you, when you come to church and the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

Love Is Better Than Liberty Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 31, 2014

A tightrope is a picture of Christian liberty with legalism on one side and unrestrained license on the other. But somewhere in between the two is the beautiful tightrope of balance, and the balance bar for a Christian is love.

INTRODUCTION I invite you to open your Bibles to Romans 14. We’re going to start reading at verse 13. You remember last week, I started the message by holding a gold earring to my ear and some of you thought, well there’s nothing wrong with a guy wearing an earring. But others of you, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Christ The Savior On Christmas. Series

Contributed by Peter Silway on Nov 6, 2014

Is Jesus the Savior of the world? Has he really come on this Christmas Eve that we celebrate ?Was he sent of God? Was he the Messiah the world was looking for? This one line from Mathew. will reveal to us.today the truth.

CHRIST THE SAVIOR ON CHRISTMAS. Mt.1:1.The book of the generation of Jesus Christ the son of David the son of Abraham.’ Is Jesus the savior of the world? Has he come on this Christmas eve that we celebrate ?Was he sent of God? was he the Messiah the world was looking for? This one line from ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gratitude For Deliverance From The Grave

Contributed by Charles Spurgeon on Nov 17, 2014

A classic sermon delivered in 1892 encouraging believers to be comforted and even grateful for their trials and afflictions.

In connection with the dedication of the Jubilee House, which commemorated the fifth year of a life often threatened by grievous sickness. [Will the reader kindly note the remarks at the end of this sermon, before he reads the discourse?—C.H.S.] "I shall not die, but live, and declare the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:1-29

Denomination: *other

Redeemed! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 19, 2013

The message is a study of the transformation brought through salvation.

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Shipwrecked Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2013

When one runs aground on the Faith, injuring others within the flock, the appropriate response is to hand such individuals over to Satan.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Multiethnic Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 19, 2013

God is no respecter of persons and He desires His House (His Church) to be a place for all nations – all people. A church is to be a place where there is no favoritism and all are treated fairly and equally.

Series: We are Here! Sermon 6: Multiethnic (or multicultural, or diversity) Introduction: Show pictures of our changing world in this area of South Chicago: The Orland Mosque, the Lemont Hindu Temple, and the Chicago Buddhist Temple all represent how diverse our community is becoming. Our society ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Imitate Love And Perseverance Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 4, 2012

We are to imitate God’s love and persevere like Jesus. We also need to realize we do not have to fear end times but instead work hard to provide for our families and to spread the Gospel. We are also to be at peace and never forget about Gods grace.

Spiritual Mile Marker for the year – number 10 “Imitate Jesus” Summary of Series: Imitators Thesis of series: We live in a society that seldom reflects Jesus. As Christians, we are called to be His reflection, to do His will and to keep our hearts blameless. Sermon1: Reflect ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational