Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

Grant Us Wisdom

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Feb 22, 2021

We live in the Information Age, a time in which entire libraries of knowledge are available to us. And that’s a blessing. But as followers of Jesus, let’s also remember that wisdom and understanding are even more crucial to making a difference for God in our generation.

Read Luke 2: 39-52 When I was a young boy, I had what should have been a teachable moment. My mother, siblings and I were just returning home from being out for the afternoon, and as she pulled in the driveway she said, “I want everyone to come straight into the house. We’re going to eat very ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:39-52

Three Questions About Our Good Shepherd Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 24, 2021

There is a lot in this passage. This message tries to boil it down to the big truths by asking three questions about our "good shepherd."

- At one level, this is a simple passage: Jesus is the Good Shepherd. - At another level, this passage is not simply understood. There is conflicting imagery (how is Jesus the shepherd and the gate?). It is difficult to get all the pieces to fit cleanly. - I echo a little the sentiment of v. 6 ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Divine Transformation

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Mar 3, 2021

Like turning water into wine, Jesus came to us to transform our hard, selfish hearts into something extraordinary, lives worthy of God’s power and glory, stamped with the likeness of his Son.

Divine Transformation John 2: 1-11 The classic novel, “Gone With the Wind,” was based on real people who lived pretty much the lives described in the book--although Rhett Butler's actual surname was Turnipseed, and Scarlett O’Hara was really Emelyn Louise Hannon. But Rhett did, in fact, walk ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

What Prosperity Gospel Preachers Don’t Want You To Know Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 22, 2019

This passage includes the words "you will be made rich." Does that mean the prosperity gospel is true? Or is this passage actually pointing us toward using God's blessings in a way that doesn't further the American Dream?

A SWEET SOUND TO A PROSPERITY GOSPEL PREACHER: “You will be made rich.” - 2 Corinthians 9:11a – “You will be made rich.” - As most of you know, there is a heretical teaching that God’s purpose in your life is to shower you with material and financial blessings. Under this teaching, signs of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Are The Results Of My Generosity? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 24, 2019

What can I expect to see happen when I am generous? Obviously, the financial need will be met, but is there more beyond that? This passage points to 7 results.

THE RESULT OF MY GENEROSITY? We usually presume the only result of my generosity is that a need gets met. - There is a need expressed, someone gives, and so that need gets met. Game over, end of story, right? - We’ve been digging for weeks now into chapter 9, which has so much to teach about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

When Paul Got One-Star Reviews

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 30, 2019

The Corinthians criticize Paul's preaching. What can we learn from this conflict?

[First half of church fight story from Andy Stanley about his Dad - this can be found at the start of Andy Stanley's book Deep and Wide] TRASHING PAUL: It is both stunning and comforting that Paul got some negative reviews. - 2 Corinthians 10:1, 9-10. - We usually think of Paul as the great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Response To A Church Fight Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 15, 2019

This challenging passage gives us insight into Paul's handling of contention.

- Let me acknowledge up front that this can be a challenging passage. It’s not easily clear how all the pieces go together. As we wander through these six verses, hopefully we can bring them together in a meaningful way. THE STARTING POINT OF THE CHURCH FIGHT: Paul didn’t measure up to their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Five Ways To Stand In The Way Of Kingdom Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2019

Paul tells us where the false teachers were off-track. These aren't theological matters - so what are they doing that Paul rebukes?

- As we begin, let me give a little context to the situation Paul is addressing. Paul has been to Corinth but during his absence there were some false teachers who came in and began to move the Corinthian church in another direction. - This is an extension of the earlier part of this chapter, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 4, 2019

This sermon examines three key truths in avoiding false teachers.

THE FIGHT: The purity of the message and the church matter. - 2 Corinthians 11:1-2. a. The purity of the message matters. - This passage as a whole brings out the importance of believing the truth. It matters that the message is true. - Many today say that it doesn’t matter when you believe as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Five Insights The ‘bride Of Christ’ Analogy Gives

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2019

The "bride of Christ" analogy is one that can be difficult. Looking at several of the New Testament passages referencing that, this sermon unpacks five ideas about the church being the "bride of Christ."

- Beautiful but opaque analogy of the church as the bride of Christ. What does that mean? - That nature and frequency of analogies in the Bible. - The Bible often uses similar analogies as word pictures of who we are. A few examples: a. The branch. - In John 15 Jesus refers to Himself as the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are There Unfaithful Religious Leaders? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 9, 2020

What can we learn from the unfaithful religious leaders and Paul's faithful pastoral example?

WERE THERE BAD RELIGIOUS LEADERS BACK THEN? There have always been unfaithful religious leaders. - 2 Corinthians 11:20. - While we might think that our own time is uniquely bad, there have always been unfaithful religious leaders. - Five things v. 20 points out: a. Enslaves you. - Galatians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Mistaking God’s Patience For Weakness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 16, 2020

The Corinthians continued to sin despite Paul's repeated warnings. How had they taken his patience for weakness?

A THIRD TRY: Paul had been patient with the sinful Corinthians. - 2 Corinthians 13:1-2a. - Paul tells the Corinthians that he is planning to make a third visit to them. This has been necessitated by the ongoing questionable behavior of the church there. - Paul then quotes Deuteronomy about two ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Personal Spiritual Growth Connect To The Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2020

Paul closes out his second letter to the Corinthians with a plea from his heart for their spiritual growth. Why do we today so seldom see that at a practical level in our churches?

- I should note as we begin that v. 8 is a difficult verse. Its meaning is not clear. It’s not essential to grasp that verse in order to be able to understand the larger point that Paul is making, so we’re just going to lay it aside this evening. There’s not any benefit tonight in spending a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Reading The Bible Literally

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 7, 2020

Paul's instruction that the Corinthians were to "greet one another with a holy kiss" provides a nice open door for discussing whether we are to take the Bible literally. This message looks at four considerations that we need to keep in mind to read the Bible correctly.

- I have four questions for you as we begin. Let me hear an “Amen” if you agree with what I say: a. The Bible is the Word of God. b. We believe in the Bible. c. The Bible is literally true. d. When I came into church, I greeted everyone with a holy kiss. - Where were all the cries of “Amen” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist