Sermons on United Mission:

When The Protectors Become Predators

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 31, 2019

Church leaders are appointed to protect the flock. When the protectors become predators, you may be sure that God will shortly expose the sin and deliver judgement.

“Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore, she became filthy; all who honored her despise her, for they have seen her nakedness; she herself groans and turns her face away.” [1] Shocked, disgusted, grieved, hurt—what a confused jumble of emotions flooded the heart of Christians when they ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Race

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 14, 2019

Each Christian is running in a marathon. Our Christian life is not a sprint, but a marathon which demands our best always.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Appointed, Not Hired Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 20, 2015

Elders (Overseers) are appointed by God. They are not hired to do a job; they are appointed to serve the One who appoints and to serve His holy people.

“I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher.” [1] His face was red and his eyes were narrow slits as he raged, “We hired you, and we can fire you.” I was equally determined as I asserted with a firm, steady voice, “No one hired me; God appointed me.” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:11

Denomination: Baptist

A Study Of The Book Of Revelation, 14: Return Of Jesus And The Millennium Series

Contributed by Bob Faulkner on Jun 25, 2015

Eventually life as we know it will end, and life as Jesus wanted it will come to earth in the person of Jesus Himself and His saints.

The return of Jesus and defeat of the Beast (19:11-21, 14:14-20) John relates three pictures of the coming of Jesus. We saw two in chapter 14. The picture here is of an invading army, with Jesus at the head of it. He has gathered His troops together, and on the day of battle He is the hands-down ...read more

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Stay Faithful To The One Who Is Faithful Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Aug 20, 2015

A study of the book of Hebrews chapter 3 verses 1 through 19

Hebrews 3: 1 – 19 Stay Faithful To The One Who Is Faithful 1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. 3 For this ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:1-19

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

You Were Not Listening

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Jan 3, 2019

A study in the book of 1 Chronicles 28: 1 – 21

1 Chronicles 28: 1 – 21 You were not listening 28 Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel: the officers of the tribes and the captains of the divisions who served the king, the captains over thousands and captains over hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 28:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Turnaround

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Feb 8, 2019

A study in the book of 2 Chronicles 29: 1 – 36

2 Chronicles 29: 1 – 36 Turnaround 29 Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 29:1

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Come Before Winter Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 15, 2016

The coming of winter imposes an urgency on our service to Christ. For someone we know, it is "winter, or never." Whatever we are to do, it must be now.

“Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. “The Lord be with your ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

Good Is Enemy Of The Best

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 25, 2014

Choosing what is best is often counter-intuitive. Christians are responsible to choose what is best.

“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

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

Declared To Be The Son Of God In Power

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 18, 2014

The resurrection of Jesus assures the believer that He is the Son of God in power. The message explores what this means for us as followers of the Risen Christ.

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Fighting Fundamentalist Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jul 13, 2014

Labels are applied easily--some are undeserved, and some should be embraced. If we stand with Christ and His Word, we can anticipate vilification. Paul obviously expected elders to stand firming on some truths.

“Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:2-5

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

Theology Proper: The Trinity Series

Contributed by Greg Brown on Aug 5, 2014

Trinitarian doctrine

The Trinity What is the doctrine of the Trinity? It should be noted that the word Trinity is never given in the Bible; it was originally used by the church father Tertullian (AD 155–220).” “The word trinity means ‘tri-unity’ or ‘three-in-oneness.’ It is ...read more

Scripture: John 10:30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Shipwrecked Faith Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 23, 2013

When one runs aground on the Faith, injuring others within the flock, the appropriate response is to hand such individuals over to Satan.

“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, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist