Sermons on Upbuilding:

Pardon Me, Your Bias Is Showing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 22, 2008

God tests those who claim to follow Him, and the tests He applies are revealed through how we treat others.

JAMES 2:1-13 PARDON ME, YOUR BIAS IS SHOWING! “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Nice Or Good

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Nov 25, 2019

A study in the book of Romans 12: 1 – 21

Romans 12: 1 – 21 Be the good guy not the nice guy 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

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

Character Counts Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 8, 2016

The response to disruptive people demonstrates the Christian's maturity. Paul counsels the expression of the character that marks all who are mature in Christ.

“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

"When Standing Alone..." Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 6, 2017

Christians who pursue honouring Christ can anticipate standing alone against the enemies of Christ. How shall the child of God react when compelled to stand alone, without even a fellow saint to stand with him or her?

“At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So, I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Dirty Little Secret About The Church

Contributed by Michael Stark on Aug 29, 2015

Churches are too often controlled by immature Christians. Though they think themselves to be mature and godly, they are destructive and harmful. Christians need to work at maturing in Christ to ensure that He is honoured through the Body of Christ.

“Let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Cheating The Labourer Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 31, 2020

James cautions us against cheating those to whom we are indebted. The message explores some of the parameters of this admonition.

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last ...read more

Scripture: James 5:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Whatever Were You Thinking? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 4, 2021

If we dishonour Christ by treating the Lord's Table with disdain, we can anticipate His discipline.

“Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” [1] “Whatever was he thinking?” That is the question that was no doubt on the minds of many Canadians when they first read of the fall of Colin ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27

Denomination: Baptist

Grace For The Humble - James 4:6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 3, 2021

What could be more important than gaining the one quality that determines whether God gives you grace or fights against you?

James 4: 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Introduction Listen very carefully to these words I am about to read because Jesus said your eternal destiny depends on whether you understand them. Matthew 18:1 At that time ...read more

Scripture: James 4:6

Wrong About Religion

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 30, 2024

If we focus on our tenets to the exclusion of focusing on the will of the Lord, we are in danger of drifting into Pharisaical Religion. If we allow this to happen, we will displease the Lord and oppose Him.

“When the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mission Imperative - 1 Peter 2:9-10 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 12, 2024

All ministry is based in praise, and we must take this monster calling seriously.

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Clothed In Humility - 1 Peter 5:5b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 16, 2025

Pride has a thousand faces. It's possible to think you do not struggle with pride because you don't have the kind someone else has. But you may have a different kind that flies under the radar.

1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

Unchained Melody Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Sep 1, 2022

The Miktams comprise Psalms written by David during a time of distress. Where shall the Christian turn when life appears to be crashing in? The Psalmist instinctively turns to God, just as the wise Christian turns to God.

A MIKTAM OF DAVID. “Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the LORD, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.’ “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight. “The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

"i Know The Plans I Have For You!" Does This Apply To Us?

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 10, 2025

God guides His people as they serve Him. The means of His guidance may vary, but it will never contradict what is given in His holy Word.

“I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [1] Years ago, I read Herbert Lockyer’s delightful tome, “All the Promises of the Bible.” [2] In that book, Dr. Lockyer discussed what a promise is, cautioning that the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

One Holy Purpose Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 23, 2016

Examining the motivation for Paul's perseverance and service can encourage believers to persevere in the midst of a darkened world that increasingly opposes the Faith.

“I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” [1] The Apostle has emphasised a concept that is not often welcomed today—hardship. Directing student ministries at a major pastoral school some ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:10

Denomination: Baptist