Sermons on The Diaspora:

Perhaps Today

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 27, 2013

How shall the child of God live until the Master returns? That is the consideration in this message.

“Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Mystery Of Godliness

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 6, 2013

The message of Christ and His work on our behalf is a mystery of God. In fact, Paul speaks of this as "the mystery of godliness."

“Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.” [1] Mysteries are a favourite genre in books, movies and television ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Baptist

Act Like Men

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 14, 2012

The people of God are engaged in a great battle. If we will engage the enemy and advance the cause of Christ, we need to heed the commands issued in this text.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” The Christian Faith is a woman’s religion; and I’m glad this is so! Historically, women were excluded from religion. In the pagan religions extant at the time the Master presented Himself as a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Serve One Another

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 13, 2012

The freedom we have received in Christ imposes responsibility to serve one another.

“You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Devil In Pew Number Seven

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2012

Pastors are to fulfil the ministry God has assigned with the help of strong, godly leaders from within the congregation.

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:28-32

Denomination: Baptist

Live As Free People

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 29, 2013

Anticipating Canada Day [and Independence Day], I invite the people of God to think what it means to live as "free people."

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” [1] Being free and living as one who is free are two entirely different concepts. People who have been incarcerated for extended periods may have difficulty adjusting to life ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 23, 2013

When Christ calls us to be with Him, He honours us. He does not treat us as we deserve should we fail Him, but He is glorified in raising us up and employing us to His glory.

“Jesus went with [his disciples] to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to [them], ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Life Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 4, 2010

When Jesus presents Himself as "The Life," What does that mean for us as followers?

JOHN 14: 6 JESUS, THE GREAT I AM: I AM THE LIFE “Jesus said … ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.’” M any exist; few live. Even among the churches of our Lord, this statement holds true. Reflecting as we do, the society within which we are immersed, we Christians have become almost ...read more

Scripture: John 14:6

Denomination: Baptist

A Person Of Interest

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 8, 2022

As a supposed victim of a judicial murder, Jesus becomes a Person of Interest. The message is a study of His sacrifice and what that sacrifice means for us.

“From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, ‘This man is calling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

The Theology Of A Thief

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 17, 2019

A study of the faith of the thief who was saved even as he was dying.

“Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:32-43

Denomination: Baptist

Anointed For Profit

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 12, 2020

Pastors and teachers are appointed to serve Christ and His churches. They lovingly tend His flock without thought of personal enrichment.

“The word of the LORD came to me: ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 34:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2020

Have the professed people of God permitted themselves to be compromised by the world to such an extend that they are powerless against wickedness? Though the thought is frightful, Christians need to assess our relationship with the Living God.

The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame. They feed on the sin of my people; they are greedy for their iniquity. And it shall be like people, like priest; I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. They shall eat, ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 4:7-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Of "nice" Will Be The Death Of You

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2019

The Gospel of Christ calls us to live boldly, not safely. God calls His people to stand firm in this holy Faith rather than seeking to make people like them.

“Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Journey To Jerusalem Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 6, 2019

1) The Determination Executed (Luke 9:51-53), 2) The Discipleship Error (Luke 9:53-56), and 3) The Diversion Excuse (Luke 9:57-62).

Luke 9:51-62 [51] When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. [52] And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. [53] But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:51-62

Denomination: Other

Too Much Religion In The Wrong Place

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 12, 2019

Religion is the expression of one's faith put into practice. For many professed Christians, religion is all they have, because they don't have the faith of Christ the Lord. Too much religion will tend to lead us astray. Faith will lead us to Christ.

“When [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:7-10

Denomination: Baptist