Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

Why There Are Tears In Heaven

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 22, 2004

This sermon looks at the popular (but biblically inaccurate) idea that there are no tears in heaven right now.

Often at funerals you will hear the pastor say: “There are no tears in heaven.” - This is one of those statements we make without any biblical justification because we are not careful with biblical promises. - This takes a biblical promise out of its historical context and applies it ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Become A "Mary Worshiper"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 1, 2004

The Magnificat is an incredible moment of worshiping God. This sermon identifies 6 things we need to do, not to worship Mary, but to worship LIKE Mary.

- Being a “Mary Worshiper” does not mean that we worship Mary, but that we worship like Mary. Becoming a “Mary Worshiper”: 1. “Mary worshipers” focus their eyes up, not in. - v. 46 - “magnifies the Lord.” - while there is certainly a need for reflection and self-examination in worship, the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

How Do We Please God?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 14, 2004

We please God when we work together as part of His team – the church!

Three weeks ago, I quoted Rick Warren who said, “You were made for a mission. God is at work in the world and he wants you to join him. This assignment is called your mission…” “Your life mission,” he goes on to say, “is both shared and specific. One part of it is a responsibility you share with ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Denomination: Church Of God

What Will It Cost Me To Be Used By God?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 20, 2004

This message looks at the cost to Mary of bearing Jesus (in terms of scandal and reputation) and then asks what the cost might be for us to obey God.

- just read vv. 1-2 to open sermon. - only 4 women (besides Mary) are mentioned in this genealogy and they aren’t the big names of the O.T. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INCLUSION OF THESE WOMEN? - Three of the four of them were associated with sexual sin. - v. 3 - Tamar (dressed as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

I Would Help, But. . .

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 21, 2004

This message examines 10 excuses seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan that we need to overcome in order to serve as God desires us to.

THE LAWYER’S FOCUS (AND OUR’S TOO): - “Sure, I’m willing to help. . . when it’s convenient for me.” - v. 29. - helping within the family/helping with a friend/helping in a tear-jerking situation/helping at Christmas. - his question presumes that “some are my neighbors and some aren’t.” - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Narnia: The Cure For Turkish Delight

Contributed by Jim Schultz on Dec 22, 2005

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe teaches us a few things about the nature of sin and the solution to the problems sin causes.

The Cure For Turkish Delight Imagine a land in which it’s always winter and never Christmas. Narnia--land cursed by White Witch. She wouldn’t allow Father Christmas to come… Edmund finds out about the power of this Witch’s curse when he tries her Turkish Delight. Voluneer tries some Turkish ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Narnia: The Power Of A Story That Is True

Contributed by Jim Barnes on Dec 24, 2005

A Christmas Eve message utilizing the film version of "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and the conversion of C.S. Lewis as tools for challenging listeners to decide whether the Christmas story is truth or fiction.

Title: “The Power of a Story That Is True” Text: Matthew 1:18 - 2:23 Date: December 24, 2005 (Christmas Eve) People love good stories don’t they? If they didn’t, books and movies wouldn’t be so popular. There’s just something about a good story that stirs our emotions and moves us in a way ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eye Opening Prayer

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jan 12, 2007

Just as Paul did for the Ephesian churches, we should pray to have our eyes opened to the fullness of who Jesus Christ is.

1. Introduction (1:15-18) 2. The first eye opening petition is that the church might know the grace of Christ. (18a) 3. The second eye opening petition is that the church might know the glory of Christ. (18b) 4. The third eye opening petition is that the church might know the greatness of Christ ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph, An Obedient Heart For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The first of series on ‘Developing a Heart for God’

Pastor Todd Coget tells the story of a small-town church in upstate New York who had had a rector (or pastor) in that church for over thirty-five years. He was loved by the church and the community. After he retired, he was replaced by a young priest. It was his first church; he had a great desire ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:2-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Judas, A Misguided Heart For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The second of series on ‘Developing a Heart for God’

(1) In the introduction to his book, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of the ‘statue that did not look right.’ An art dealer who had a very rare statue, called a kouros, in his possession that came from the sixth century BC, (that’s six hundred years before Jesus’ birth), approached the J ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Judas, A Misguided Heart For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The second of series on ‘Developing a Heart for God’

(1) In the introduction to his book, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of the ‘statue that did not look right.’ An art dealer who had a very rare statue, called a kouros, in his possession that came from the sixth century BC, (that’s six hundred years before Jesus’ birth), approached the J ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

David, A Pursuing Heart For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The third of series on ‘Developing a Heart for God’

(1) In the September 11th issue of the Los Angeles Times, Patrick Goldstein wrote an article entitled, ‘Five Years Later: Pop Culture of Denial.’ Its subtitle made a very interesting statement, ‘Our fascination with glitz is unabated, and artists remain cautious. We haven’t come to grips with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-5

Denomination: Church Of God

Jesus, A Total Heart For God

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The fourth of series on ‘Developing a Heart for God’

(1) Do you know that three months from today is Christmas Eve? (2) And yes, three months tomorrow is Christmas! When I realized this, I did some research and came across this humorous and poignant story about two things that go together – Christmas and Kids. (3) ‘A group of first graders decided ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46

Denomination: Church Of God

Singing A Song Of Deliverance

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

Communion Meditation for Sunday, October 1, 2006

(1) A few years ago, I used Matthew 26:30 for a communion meditation. ‘Then they sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives.’ I remember asking ‘What kind of a hymn did they sing?’ I recently re-encountered this verse when I was preparing for another sermon and clicked on the verse note for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:1-18

Denomination: Church Of God

What On Earth Am I Here For?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 12, 2007

The introductory sermon to a 40 Days of Purpose campaign

(1) As I began writing this sermon, I had trouble deciding how to start because I wasn’t sure where to start. I have preached on the five purposes, (worship, outreach, fellowship, discipleship, and service) in the past and I think that many here have read the book, The Purpose Driven Life. Yet I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-40

Denomination: Church Of God