Sermons on The Diaspora:

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

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

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

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

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

Godliness With Contentment Is Great Gain Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 20, 2014

An examination of the deceitfulness of wealth. Paul warns against succumbing to the pursuit of money.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

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

Lion Attack Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 8, 2015

Responding as godly people when Satan attacks.

“You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.” [1] Asics has produced an amusing ad. Two Xhosa men are walking and talking. “I’m no longer interested in Sandra Bullock,” says one. “It’s like in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:15

Denomination: Baptist

If The Foundations Are Destroyed...

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 10, 2021

In tumultuous times, how shall the righteous live? The Psalmist has given us godly counsel that must be applied to our lives.

“In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? “The LORD is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 11:1-7

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

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

Pushing The Boundaries Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 23, 2018

Expanding the Kingdom of God during this Church Age is a mandate that is still incumbent upon all churches. If the doors to continued expansion are closing, it may be because we are disobedient, or it may presage the closing of this present age.

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Baptist

Can A Saved Person Dabble In The Occult? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 28, 2016

There are consequences when a child of God attempts to practise the pagan arts. Saul paid an awful price for his disobedience, even dragging many others into judgement.

“In those days the Philistines gathered their troops for war in order to fight Israel. Achish said to David, ‘You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle.’ David replied to Achish, ‘That being the case, you will come to know what your ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

Stephen Brought Before A Council Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 20, 2017

Stephen, who was the first of seven men chosen for the office of deacon, had a strong faith by which he was enabled to do extraordinary things. Those who are full of faith are full of power, because, by faith the power of God is engaged for us.

December 30, 2013 By: Tom Lowe Series: The Early Church Title: Stephen Brought Before a Council (6:8-15) Acts 6.8-15 (KJV) 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose ...read more

Scripture: Acts 6:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

John Part 1

Contributed by Steven W. Satterfield on Nov 12, 2025

NASB, notes by biblegateway.com Matthew, Mark and Luke are the synoptic (similar) gospels. John is written differently.

The Deity of Jesus Christ 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES ADD "A GOD" HERE. 2 [a]He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has ...read more

Denomination: Vineyard