Sermons on To Bear Witness:

Does Wealth Count? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 9, 2016

Wealth can blind us to the riches of Christ when they assume an improper place in our lives.

“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 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:16-22

Denomination: Baptist

There Is No Sin In The Cemetery [*]

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 20, 2019

Baptism pictures the transformation that has taken place in the life of the child of God. How can we, then, continue to live as thought we were dead? To live as the world lives is to attempt to dig up the corpse we buried!

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

What About Faith And Good Works? (Part 2)

Contributed by Tony Miano on Apr 7, 2001

. In this section of James’ letter, we see an objection stated (v. 18a), the objection challenged (vv. 18b-19), and the objector confronted (v. 20).

What About Faith and Good Works? An Answer to the Skeptic James 2:18-20 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church April 8, 2001 Introduction: A couple of weeks ago I talked about the way James weaved a courtroom drama throughout his writing, in the first half of chapter two. ...read more

Scripture: James 2:18-20

Denomination: *other

How Can I Cope With My Own Mortality?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 17, 2010

In the brief moment we call now, we may either accomplish some great thing for the cause of Christ, or we may exist. If we choose the latter, we sacrifice marvellous opportunities to serve with distinction.

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Next Generation Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 8, 2013

The Christian, and especially the elder of the church, is engaged in a lifelong campaign. He must prepare the next generation to enter into the conflict.

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Shall I Do With Jesus? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 3, 2012

The preacher, the Christian and the outsider all must answer the same question--What Shall I Do With Jesus? Each of us must answer; we cannot evade. For salvation and for service, our answer reveals who we are.

“What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ” [1] Almost every message I have heard from this text was directed to lost people. That is certainly appropriate. However, in our study today, I want to consider how this question applies not only to the lost, but also to each of us who bear the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:22

Denomination: Baptist

Their Rock Is Not As Our Rock

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 30, 2018

What has God done for me lately? We need to remember the distinction of God as contrasted to the varied "gods" of this dying world.

“Their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.” [1] Our world adulates success; however, the world defines success by a standard of its own making. To a far greater degree than we might ever admit, we Christians have been infected with the attitudes of this fallen world. We ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

To Dip, Or Not

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 8, 2020

A study of the transformation Naaman experienced may encourage us to humble ourselves before the Lord.

“Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A River Runs Through It

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 4, 2024

Paradise began with a river flowing from the Garden, and in Heaven a river flows from the throne of God. The message is a brief consideration of the role these rivers play in the economy of God.

“A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold” [GENESIS 2:10-11]. “The angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:10-11, Revelation 22:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Be Fruitful And Multiply

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 18, 2025

The Creator's command, "Be Fruitful and Multiply," is largely ignored by the people of God today. We have much to learn even with the second part of His command to subdue the earth.

“God blessed [the man and the woman]. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” [1] Undoubtedly, I am venturing into ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:28

Denomination: Baptist

A New Phase Of Life

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Jun 15, 2011

Joshua recognized a major benchmark in Israel’s progress toward inheriting the Promised Land. Our graduates are entering a new phase of life acknowledging their past accomplishments & thereby initiating their significant work yet to be accomplished.

A NEW PHASE Of LIFE—Joshua 24:14-28 Attention: Graduates of High School & Community College Need: If you work without serving God, then you’ve chosen your god & your god is you! Joshua recognized a major benchmark in Israel’s progress toward inheriting the Promised Land. Our ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-28

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Our One Voice Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 22, 2010

1) The Blended Involvement (Romans 15:1-6), 2) The Basic Instruction (Romans 15:7), 3) The Biblical Illustration (Romans 15:8-12) and 4) The Benedictory Intercession (Romans 15:13)

In politics, some voices get heard while others ignored. Often those with the best connections or the loudest complainers tend to be heard. Things tend to spill over the same way in a local church. But things need to be different in Christ’s body, because He must call the shots. He will not bless ...read more

Scripture: Romans 15:1-13

Denomination: Other

Colossians Chapter 1 Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Feb 23, 2022

A detailed study on each verse in the book of Colossians.

Colossians Chapter 1 *It’s a letter written to set straight the position of God the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. He never directly mentions Gnosticism or any other false doctrine. He laid down the doctrines surrounding God the Father and Jesus as the Messiah and Creator of all ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-29

Denomination: Pentecostal

Ecclesiology - Study Of The Church Series

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 30, 2018

This message summarizes the doctrine of the church

Monthly Doctrinal Series -- Ecclesiology I. THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH The way we employ the term “church” generally perpetuates a misconception of her true nature. First, we imply that the church is a building. Second, we imply that the church is an activity that takes place on Sunday that we ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-27, Ephesians 2:21-22

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Dealing With Doctrinal Deviation

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2010

God charges the church with the responsibility to avoid those who cause division and create obstacles. It is the responsibility of the entire assembly, and not that of the elders alone.

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” ...read more

Scripture: Romans 16:17-18

Denomination: Baptist