Sermons on Thirteen:

Finders Weepers; Losers Keepers?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2019

The world seeks to do something in order to be blessed. God calls us to be, so that we can enjoy the blessings He gives. Salvation is God's gift, not a position we earn.

“A man came up to [Jesus], saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which ones?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-30

Denomination: Baptist

Prayers That Light Darkness Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Feb 29, 2020

The Psalmist of Psalm 88 expresses “Prayers that Light Darkness” with prayer as an: 1) Urgent appeal in Affliction (Psalm 88:1–9a), 2) Urgent appeal with No Answers (Psalm 88:9b–12), 3) Urgent appeal under Divine Wrath (Psalm 88:13–18).

Psalm 88:1-18 A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. 1 O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. 2 Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry! 3 For my soul is full of troubles, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 88:1-18

Denomination: Other

A Serious Inquiry Into The Role Of The Under Shepherd Of The Church"

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 25, 2023

The message is an examination of the qualifications that must be evident in the life of one appointed to eldership.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Help! There's A Snake In My Garden! Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 5, 2023

We need a Redeemer because we are fallen people. We inherited our fallen nature because of the fall of our first parents. Eve was seduced by Satan, and Adam chose to rebel against God. Thus, the creation was plunged into ruin.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. “He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?”’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Welcome Jesus Into Your Boat Series

Contributed by Scott Turansky on Oct 9, 2022

There's a sense of peace that we are called to in our Christian lives. It's part of our calling that we see and God has given us this calling in regards to our peace.

Over 100 people have signed up for Grace Groups. And those of you who are in those Grace Groups already know what we're going to talk about today because you've already prepared yourself. You've already studied what's going to take place in John 6. It's a story about a storm. ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Child's Responsibility To Parents

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 11, 2019

A Mothers' Day message urging parents to instruct their children to honour them, and urging children to show honour to their parents.

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Hope Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 28, 2019

Luke presents this "Gift of Hope" in Christ through: 1) The Divine Messenger (Luke 1:26), 2) The Divine Choice (Luke 1:27), 3)The Divine Blessing (Luke 1:28–30), and 4) The Divine Child (Luke 1:31-33).

Luke 1:26-33 [26] In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, [27]to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. [28] And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Other

Peace In The Midst Of Chaos Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 29, 2022

Embracing obedience to God brought peace to the young teenage girl whom the Lord chose to bear His Son into the world.

“In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Joy Overflowing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2022

Joy is the inevitable result for the one who is obedient to the will of the Living God.

“Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

Silent Night Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 18, 2022

A message to be delivered on Christmas day. Christ has come, and he will return. This is the promise of the season. Amen.

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Talking To Yourself

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 3, 2022

When you have had enough of living in the pigpen, you can return home knowing that the Father waits to receive you.

“Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Come Out From Among Them - 1 Peter 2:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 17, 2024

What did Jesus mean by being in the world but not of the world?

1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

Anger Gives The Devil Access Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 14, 2025

This is a Bible study lesson. In this lesson we focus on how our anger can give the devil access to cause havoc in our lives. We discuss the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger.

Anger Gives the Devil Access (Rev. Barry Johnson and Rev. Rodney Johnson) NOTE: New Light Faith Ministries and Barry Johnson Ministries, founded by Rodney V. Johnson and Barry O. Johnson, respectively, are partnering to offer Bible studies for Christians who are seeking to grow in their ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 54:17, Ephesians 4:26-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Six Lessons Learned Through Adversity

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Nov 5, 2025

The message is about how we respond to adversity and reviews six lessons that we can learn when we are experiencing adverse times.

Six Lessons Learned Through Adversity Good morning Second Missionary! Please bow for a word of prayer. Our foundational Scriptures are found in Matthew 10:27 and James 1:2-3. I will be reading Matthew from the Classic Amplified Bible and James from the New King James Bible. Matthew 10:27 says, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:27, James 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Awake To The Hope Of Advent: The Coming Light Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Nov 27, 2025

In Mark 13:24-37 through Jesus we are encouraged in three ways to 1) Anticipate an Awesome Arrival (Mark 13:24–27), be 2) Attune to the Assurance (Mark 13:28–31), and 3) Awaken to Active Anticipation (Mark 13:32–37).

Mark 13:24–37. 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:24-37

Denomination: Other