Sermons on The Diaspora:

Chosen Strangers - 1 Peter 1:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 21, 2024

Peter is so eager to establish our identity (because it is the basis for so much of what he says in the book), he blurts it out before he even gets to the greeting.

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect, strangers [in the world], scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 [chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2

Is It Enough?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 30, 2025

Jesus, the Son of God, has fulfilled the prophecy given through Isaiah promising God's redemption. The question many raise is, "Is It Enough?"

“It was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want To Go Away As Well?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2015

When adherents and members leave the fellowship of a congregation, how should we respond? We find guidance for our response in the actions of the Master.

JOHN 6:60-71 DO YOU WANT TO GO AWAY AS WELL? “When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ describing Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Baptist

Desiring A Noble Task Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 10, 2013

Those who seek eldership, provided they are motivated by divine call, desire a noble task.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” [1] Few things give me greater pleasure than seeing God raise up heralds of holiness. I taught preacher boys in Texas for a brief period. Throughout the years of my service before the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Deacons? Who Needs Them:

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 14, 2013

Discovering the process for appointing deacons through reviewing the account of the appointment of the seven in the first congregation.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

When The Elder Sins Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 16, 2014

Elders are to be honoured for their labour. However, elders are to be held accountable before the congregation to discharge their appointment in a faithful manner.

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-21

Denomination: Baptist

Fire And Fiery Words

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Jun 2, 2009

Fire and Fiery Words

Thesis: The Holy Spirit was given for the last days! I Introduction A One day when Charlie Brown stops at the psychiatric help stand to talk with Lucy. He confesses, "My trouble is I never know if I’m doing the right thing. I need to have someone around who can tell me when I’m doing the right ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Denomination: United Methodist

Fire And Fiery Words

Contributed by Sheila Crowe on Aug 4, 2009

The Holy Spirit was given for the last days!

I Introduction A One day when Charlie Brown stops at the psychiatric help stand to talk with Lucy. He confesses, "My trouble is I never know if I’m doing the right thing. I need to have someone around who can tell me when I’m doing the right thing." Lucy says, "Okay. You’re doing the right thing. ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

Denomination: United Methodist

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

Jezebel In The Church Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 1, 2018

What happens when a church begins to tolerate just a little bit of evil? The study is a consideration of this particular question.

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze. “‘I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Denomination: Baptist

What About John?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 10, 2019

Our Lord appoints each of His followers to a particular task. Though the task may appear difficult, it is common that we Christians attempt to turn His command by asking what He is doing in the life of another. We need to learn to focus on His work in our own life.

“[Jesus said] ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was ...read more

Scripture: John 21:17-24

Denomination: Baptist

Serving Together

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 6, 2016

If Jesus is Lord over all things in the church, how much freedom do I have to quit because I am offended?

“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-23

Denomination: Baptist

Complacency Kills Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 28, 2017

It was only a momentary slip of the beasts’ feet, but it was enough to rock the Ark which was on the cart they were pulling. The priest driving the cart reached back to steady the Ark so it wouldn’t fall; but the moment he touched the Ark, he fell dead.

“David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

When A Christian Prays Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 20, 2018

When a Christian prays, God is pledged to act. This is especially true when we pray for fellow Christians who have begun to stray.

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

There Was Darkness Over All The Land

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 3, 2021

The rework of the Easter 2020 message, which was not delivered. Jesus was God in the darkness as He hung on the cross, and He is God in the darkness of these evil days.

“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