James Stahr

ID 123325Dec 9, 1979

ID 54481Feb 15, 1991

The fall of Lucifer, who became Satan, from his original state as a beautiful and wise angel to a being of rebellion. It details his sin of pride, encapsulated in the five "I wills" of Isaiah 14:12-14, where he desired to be like the Most High and independent of God. This desire for independence, rather than omnipotence or omniscience, is presented as his core sin. The sermon then connects this to the creation of humanity in Genesis, emphasizing that God created humans in His image, distinct from animals, and established a leadership role for man. The temptation in Eden is analyzed as Satan's attempt to foster independence from God, mirroring his own fall, which Adam and Eve succumbed to by abdicating their spiritual accountability, leading to humanity's separation from God.

ID 54480Feb 14, 1991

The origin of evil by tracing the fall of Satan from his original state as the perfect angelic being Lucifer. It explains that Lucifer's pride led him to exalt himself against God, resulting in his transformation into Satan and the introduction of sin into the world, dragging a third of the angels with him. The message then connects this fall to the creation account in Genesis, discussing various interpretations of the timing and nature of creation, particularly the potential gap between God's initial creation of the heavens and earth and the subsequent state of the earth being formless and void, suggesting this period allowed for Satan's rebellion and judgment before God's subsequent creative work.

ID 54479Feb 13, 1991

Identifies Michael the Archangel as a warrior angel assigned to protect Israel and contend with the devil, contrasting his respectful approach with the irreverence of false teachers. Drawing from Jude 8-9, the message explains that Michael, while disputing with the devil over Moses' body, did not bring a reviling accusation but invoked God's authority. This illustrates the principle of respecting authority, even that of the devil, who is presented as a fallen angel, Lucifer, who rebelled against God and gained authority over this world. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that while Satan currently holds authority, this will ultimately be taken away and given to Jesus Christ, who is exalted above all names.

ID 54478Mar 29, 1974

The actions of King Herod in Acts chapter 12, who persecuted the early church by killing James and imprisoning Peter, highlighting the severe threat to the nascent Christian movement. It contrasts Herod's violent actions with God's intervention, leading to Peter's miraculous escape and Herod's subsequent divine judgment and death for not giving glory to God. The message then delves into the complex Herod dynasty, tracing four generations of rulers and their parallel roles in significant New Testament events, emphasizing the family's corruption and the historical context in which Christianity emerged. The sermon concludes by noting the transition of leadership within the early church from the martyred James to James, the brother of the Lord, illustrating that God's work continues despite the loss of His servants.

ID 54477Feb 9, 1982

The Song of Moses in Exodus 15 celebrates God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, highlighting His power and redemptive nature. This psalm, the first in the Bible, draws a parallel between God's creation of humanity and His redemption of Israel, emphasizing that He has a double claim on His people: first as Creator and second as Redeemer through the blood of the Lamb. The sermon explores the poetic structure of the song, its three strophies, and its profound theological implications, particularly the concept of God's eternal reign as expressed in verse 18, contrasting it with the temporary thousand-year reign mentioned in Revelation. Ultimately, the message calls believers to recognize and rejoice in the everlasting reign of Christ, assuring them they are on the winning side of history.

ID 54129Dec 28, 1988

The conquest of Canaan, as depicted in the book of Joshua, is presented not as a war against people but as a spiritual battle against satanic powers controlling the land, requiring spiritual weapons like the armor of God and the Word of God. This is illustrated by Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4, where He combatted Satan's attacks by quoting scripture, demonstrating the power of God's Word as the only offensive weapon in spiritual warfare. The sermon emphasizes that personal purity and forsaking sin are crucial for continued spiritual victory, as seen in the Israelites' defeat at Ai after Achan's sin, which halted God's blessing for the entire community. Ultimately, the message calls for self-judgment, confession of sin, and reliance on God's Word to maintain spiritual effectiveness and allow blessing to return.

ID 53811Feb 12, 1991

Identifies the Angel Michael as a warrior angel who stands for the people of Israel and fights their battles on an unseen plane. It explores biblical passages in Daniel and Revelation where Michael is depicted as a chief prince who assists other angelic messengers and engages in warfare against demonic forces. The message highlights Michael's future role in protecting Israel during a time of great tribulation and connects this to the ongoing spiritual battles believers face, emphasizing the importance of prayer and the armor of God. The sermon concludes by underscoring that while human conflicts are visible, a greater spiritual warfare is occurring behind the scenes, with Michael playing a crucial protective role for Israel.

ID 53810Mar 31, 1974

Outlines the book of Acts by dividing it into two main sections: the ministry of Peter (chapters 1-12) and the ministry of Paul (chapters 13-28), as evidenced by the frequency of their names in the text. It highlights key events and figures within each section, such as Peter's leadership in the early church and Paul's pivotal role in evangelizing the Gentiles. The sermon emphasizes Barnabas's transitional role in bridging Peter's and Paul's ministries and concludes that the book's narrative flow is best understood through the prominence of these two apostles. The core lesson is that God uses individuals with distinct gifts to advance His kingdom, moving from the initial spread of the gospel among Jews to its global reach.

ID 53805Jan 29, 1975

The contrast between the ways of Cain and Seth, highlighting that true acceptance with God is not based on religious observance but on acknowledging sin and receiving God's provision for it. While Cain was religious and brought an offering, God rejected it because it did not acknowledge his sin, leading to Cain's anger and eventual murder of Abel. In contrast, Abel's sacrifice, understood as a foreshadowing of Christ's atoning sacrifice, was accepted because it signified reliance on God's provision for sin. The sermon emphasizes that genuine faith requires confessing oneself a sinner and accepting salvation through Christ, not through self-righteous works or religious rituals, and contrasts this with the godless civilization that developed from Cain's line.

ID 53191Date unavailable

The contrasting offerings of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 to illustrate the necessity of approaching God through a sin offering, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice. While both brothers were religious and brought offerings, God accepted Abel's sacrifice of a lamb, signifying his acknowledgment of sin and need for atonement, but rejected Cain's offering of produce. This rejection was not due to anger but a gentle correction, highlighting that acceptable worship requires recognizing one's sinfulness and seeking forgiveness through a substitutionary sacrifice, a truth Cain refused, leading to his anger and eventual sin. The message concludes by emphasizing that God offers salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and individuals must choose to accept this sacrifice for true reconciliation.

ID 53165Date unavailable

Human government and discipline are founded on the principles established in Genesis 9:6, which mandates capital punishment for murder. This divine commission to Noah, the father of the human race, authorizes governments to exercise authority, including lesser punishments like imprisonment and fines, as extensions of this ultimate penalty. The contrast this with the personal application of turning the other cheek, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:38, emphasizing that vengeance belongs to God and should not be sought in personal relationships. The sermon also explores the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2, highlighting the distinct creation of man from dust and woman from man's side, signifying both equality and a complementary headship, and God's hostility to blurring the distinctions between male and female.

ID 53156Date unavailable

The creation of humanity in God's image and the subsequent commands given to Adam and Noah, highlighting the distinct status of humans compared to animals. It begins by examining Genesis 1:26, noting the plural "us" as an early hint of the Trinity and emphasizing that humans are created with intelligence, emotions, and will, possessing a moral awareness absent in animals. The message then contrasts God's initial provision for Adam (vegetarianism) with the expanded diet for Noah (including animals) in Genesis 9, introducing the prohibitions against eating blood and murder. The sermon argues that the prohibition against eating blood, rooted in its sacrificial significance, and the mandate for capital punishment for murder, both stemming from humanity's creation in God's image, are foundational principles for all humanity, not just the Jewish people.

ID 53113Date unavailable

The Genesis account of the Fall, focusing on Satan's temptation of Eve as an invitation to independence rather than immorality. It analyzes the serpent's tactics: questioning God's goodness, denying His word, and attacking the family unit. The message delves into the roles and responsibilities of Adam and Eve, highlighting Adam's abdication of spiritual leadership and the subsequent consequences for humanity, including the establishment of distinct roles for men and women in family and society. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the ongoing spiritual battle and the importance of men providing strong, authentic spiritual leadership in the home and church, drawing parallels to Christ's victory over Satan.

ID 52848Date unavailable

Cornelius, a devout Gentile centurion, received a vision from an angel directing him to send for Peter. Simultaneously, Peter, a Jewish apostle, received a vision from God involving a sheet of animals, signifying that God accepts people of all nations. Despite his initial apprehension due to Jewish customs, Peter obeyed God's command and went to Cornelius's home, where he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. Cornelius and his household believed and were saved, demonstrating that salvation comes through hearing and believing God's Word, not through miraculous experiences or angelic visitations. The sermon emphasizes that God uses ordinary people to share His message and that true faith rests on God's promises, not on subjective experiences.

ID 52818Date unavailable

The importance of cultivating a Christ-like attitude within families, drawing from Philippians 2:1-12. It argues that true Christian living, particularly within the family and the church, requires looking to the interests of others rather than one's own, mirroring Jesus' self-emptying humility. The message highlights the practical application of this principle through concepts like compassion, compromise, and the establishment of family devotions and discipline, ultimately aiming to foster loyalty and a secure sense of belonging centered on God.

ID 52735Date unavailable

The biblical concept of family, encompassing both the domestic unit and the assembly of believers. Drawing from John 13:34-35, it highlights Jesus' new commandment to love one another as a provision for unity, particularly in the absence of Christ. The message contrasts worldly views of marriage and family with a biblical perspective, stressing loyalty, mutual support, and the permanence of marriage, urging against divorce as an easy alternative. It also explores the roles of husbands and wives, emphasizing spiritual leadership and voluntary submission, and encourages parents to cultivate an expectation of their children following the Lord.

ID 52361Feb 10, 1991

The angel Gabriel's appearances in scripture are examined, beginning with his announcement to Mary that she would conceive Jesus. Gabriel's message included the prophecy that Jesus would reign on David's throne forever, a future kingdom that the sermon suggests is often misunderstood as only a thousand-year reign. The sermon then shifts to Gabriel's role in interpreting a vision for Daniel, where a ram and a goat represent the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires, respectively, and a "little horn" foreshadows a future fierce king who will oppose God and desecrate the temple. This future king is linked to the current geopolitical situation in the Middle East, particularly concerning Iraq and its threat to Israel, suggesting that the focus of biblical prophecy is indeed on this region.

ID 51840Date unavailable

The millennial reign of Christ, as described in Revelation 20, will be a period of peace and righteousness on earth, yet it will ultimately reveal the persistent sinfulness of the human heart. Despite Christ's presence and Satan's binding, the rebellion of unsaved individuals, born from generations living during this time, will lead to a final, massive revolt against God. This rebellion underscores that human sin is not due to external factors like Satan or difficult circumstances, but stems from an inherent will to disobey God, a truth demonstrated throughout biblical history and culminating in the final judgment where individuals are judged by their works and their names are checked against the Book of Life.

ID 51839Date unavailable

The rapture of the church is described as a future event where believers, both living and deceased, will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, preceded by a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God. This event signifies a separation, with those in Christ being taken and those outside of Christ being left behind to face the Great Tribulation. The sermon emphasizes that believers are not appointed to wrath but to salvation, highlighting the importance of being "in Christ" through personal faith and obedience to the gospel. The text also cautions against sensationalized descriptions of the rapture and clarifies that the Great Tribulation is a period of divine judgment and Satanic activity, distinct from the rapture itself, with specific biblical passages like Revelation 3:10 indicating believers will be kept from the hour of temptation.

ID 51776Date unavailable

The rapture is presented as the catching up of the church at Christ's imminent return. The sermon builds the doctrine from 1 Thessalonians, John 14, Acts 1, and 1 Corinthians 15 by tracing Christ's departure, His promise to receive His people, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and the transformation of living believers. This hope is treated as both a future certainty and a present motive for holy living. The message closes by emphasizing that the expectation of Christ's coming should purify daily life and keep believers watching for Him.