Sermons on Upbuilding:

Our Great Purpose Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Oct 30, 2011

Exploring the principles of serving one another in the assembly with the gifts God has provided.

“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Crowning Of Messiah Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jun 22, 2022

In this exposition of Zechariah 6:9-15, we have a revelation of Christ as the only man worthy to be High Priest and King of His people. He is the builder of the temple not made with hands. His exaltation is a delight to preach.

Intro In our study of Zechariah, we have examined the eight visions God gave this prophet on February 15, 519 BC. That brings us to our text today in Zechariah 6:9-15. Follow with me as we read that passage. “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 10 ‘Receive the gift from the captives — ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 6:1-15, Proverbs 3:5-7, 2 Chronicles 26:16-20, Isaiah 11:1-2, Jeremiah 23:5, Hebrews 7:1-17, Ephesians 2:19-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Whatever Were You Thinking Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 5, 2008

God holds Christians responsible to ensure that they are prepared to worship before they approach His Table. We prepare through sharing our lives with our fellow believers.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:27 WHATEVER WERE YOU THINKING? “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.” “Whatever was he thinking?” That is the question on the minds of many people who read of the fall of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:27

Denomination: Baptist

Picking A Fight We Cannot Win

Contributed by Michael Stark on Nov 2, 2008

Attempting to worship the Lord with one foot in the world is provocative, to say the least. Christians need to take heed to their attempts to worship.

CORINTHIANS 10:20-22 PICKING A FIGHT WE CANNOT WIN “What pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:20-22

Denomination: Baptist

Commended For Their Faith

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 2, 2016

A study of the ultimate reward for serving Christ the Master, suggesting the impact on our present service.

“What more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-40

Denomination: Baptist

Real Faith Is Never Passive Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 29, 2008

Faith in Christ the Lord is life-changing, and the changes are evident to all people.

JAMES 2:14-17 REAL FAITH IS NEVER PASSIVE “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without ...read more

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

"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

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