Sermons on The Diaspora:

We Cannot Worship Without Gratitude

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 11, 2015

Gratitude is required if we will worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

"You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:22-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Pattern Of Sound Words Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 11, 2015

Paul provides instructions to ensure continuation of the Faith from generation to generation.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” [1] Seminarians are required to study systematic theology. The required courses consist of in-depth studies of the several doctrines that define the Faith of Christ the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:13

Denomination: Baptist

Losing God In The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 22, 2021

We Christians must not allow ourselves to begin to worship our worship. We must always ensure that we worship the Risen Saviour, the True and Living God.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Root Of Immorality

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 18, 2021

A redraft of a message that was never preached due to Covid Lockdowns. The message is a call for Christians to reassess their relationship with the Lord 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 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

Did The Tribulation Just Begin?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 2, 2020

In these times of lockdown, some have begun to imagine that the Great Tribulation just began. Rather than focusing on such idle speculation, the Word of God would encourage us to shine brightly in difficult times to turn many to righteousness.

“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 will come upon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

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

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

Some Things Need To Be Cultivated!

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 14, 2022

To honour Christ, we are responsible to cultivate those graces that reveal His presence in us.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Dove On Distant Oaks Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 7, 2022

Fleeing for his life because the king was determined to kill him, David fled from one dangerous situation only to enter into another dangerous situation. Where does a child of God go when danger is all around?

For the choir director: according to “A Silent Dove Far Away.” A Miktam of David. When the Philistines seized him in Gath. Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me; he fights and oppresses me all day long. My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me. When ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 56:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Christians Will Face In The New Year

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 29, 2021

A new year will shortly be upon us. While none of us is able to predict what we precise situations Christians will face in the coming year, we know from Scripture some general conditions that will confront us.

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

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 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

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