Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

What Does It Look Like When God Finally Answers? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 10, 2023

After years of what felt like silence from God, Joseph finally gets his moment when the pieces come together. What can we learn from his experience?

A LONG TIME WAITING: Joseph finally gets his answer. - Genesis 41:1-57. - Overview the story. - No doubt Joseph wondered countless times why he was in the place and shape that he was in. Now he finally gets an answer. Not a complete reckoning but one that fills in the major pieces. WHAT DOES ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 41:1-57

Denomination: Baptist

A Story Of Slow, Painful Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 16, 2023

The story of Joseph coming to a place of forgiveness with his brothers is a long story (four whole chapters!) but the story is a great illustration of how difficult forgiveness is.

HOW WE THINK YOU FORGIVE: Say “I forgive you” and move on. - Discuss the fact that “forgive and forget” is not in the Bible. PLOT POINTS: - This is a really long story – basically four chapters! But it’s important that we hit the various plot points because they show the back-and-forth, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Embarrassing Whine Of The Ungrateful Believer Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2023

Jacob makes a striking (and embarrassing) statement in his audience with Pharaoh: "my years have been few and difficult." Amid all the good things God has given him, what can we learn from his lack of gratitude?

- Picture the scene. - Joseph has been an incredible, dynamic presence in Egypt, saving the country and the region from this lengthy famine. His brothers came down and, after a long drama, there was a dramatic reunion and forgiveness. They were sent home to bring the whole family to Egypt to live ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 46:1-7, Genesis 47:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Our Spiritual Family

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 25, 2023

Jesus created the Church as the spiritual family we all need on our faith journey. And just as strong families are the building blocks of a healthy society, our spiritual families are equally foundational to living a richer life in the Kingdom of God.

(Read text.) A true story: a missionary was under house arrest in China when soldiers came one day and said, “You can return to America.” As he and his wife were celebrating, the soldiers added, “But you can only take 200 pounds with you.” They had lived there for several years with their two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

The Power Of A Father’s Blessing Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 31, 2023

The final chapter of Jacob's life provides a striking example of the power of a father's blessing. What can we learn that's can be applied to our role as fathers (and mothers).

AT THE END: As Jacob comes to the end of his life, he blesses his children. - Genesis 48:1-49:28. - These two chapters share with us the final acts of Jacob. He has lived a long life and he knows he’s at the end (48:1-2; 49:29, 33). - The words that Jacob speaks are words of blessing (49:28). - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 48:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

On Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2023

The end of Joseph's life provides an opportunity to think about the legacy he left . . . and the legacy we will leave.

- Exodus 1:8 is a pretty famous verse. For good reason too, it provides a nice summary of our situation as we move into the story of Exodus and the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt: a. Israel is in Egypt. b. They are there because of Joseph. c. When Israel got there, they were highly ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

That You May Know With Certainty Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 9, 2023

Luke opens his gospel with five reasons why we can trust what he's going to share with us.

A Word of Caution: There are lots of opinions about Jesus. - Luke 1:1 (“Many have undertaken”). What’s Worth Holding Onto: 1. The “things” that were prophesied. - Luke 1:1 (“been fulfilled among us”). 2. The “things” that were seen by eyewitnesses. - Luke 1:2. 3. The “things” that stand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Consequences Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 13, 2023

John the Baptist's words about repentance draw a strong conviction from his hearers. They ask for practical instruction on how to move forward. What does John tell them?

THE CONSEQUENCES OF REPENTANCE: It’s striking that John’s answers are very practical. - Luke 3:10-14. - vv. 10, 12, 14 – Requests for practical answers. - The previous passage (and last week’s sermon) focused on the nature of repentance. Now these that were convicted by the message - Now we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Who John The Baptist Wasn’t Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 19, 2023

John the Baptist confesses his limitations and exalts Christ. What does he have to tell us?

WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST WASN'T: John knew he wasn’t the Christ. - Luke 3:15-16a, 18. 1. Verse 15 – Declaration that he wasn’t the Christ. - This was not a big deal for John, I don’t think, but it would be for most of us. - We have an inclination to take more credit than we should. We have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Four Confirmations About Jesus At The Start Of His Ministry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 20, 2023

This passage establishes the beginning of Jesus' ministry. What does it tell us about who He is and what His ministry will be?

ONE ENTERS, ONE EXITS: Jesus’ ministry starts as John the Baptist concludes. - Luke 3:19-20. - Our primary subject this evening is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and some of the signs we are given at this start to give us confidence in Him. - We noted last week at the end of the sermon that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-38

Denomination: Baptist

The Only Time Some People Love Truth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 11, 2023

Jesus' hometown is initially intrigued by His message, but that goes south quickly. What can we learn from them about our desire for truth?

AMAZED: Nazareth was initially impressed with Jesus’ words. - Luke 4:22. - Review the message in vv. 18-19. - There is a mix in their reaction. - On the one hand, they are impressed. - On the other hand, they wonder how such words could come from Joseph’s son. After all, Jesus had been among ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:22-30

Denomination: Baptist

When You Have To Say No Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 14, 2023

Right after the violently negative response at Nazareth, Jesus finds adoration at Capernaum. But that doesn't mean everything is good there.

TALK OF THE TOWN: After rejection at Nazareth, Jesus finds adoration at Capernaum. - Luke 4:31-37 (especially vv. 32 and 36). - cf. vv. 24-30. THE PROBLEM: Two missions were in conflict. - Luke 4:32, 36, 38-39, 42-43. - What a great situation in many ways: a. They were amazed at His ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:31-44

Denomination: Baptist

Why Was Jesus So Popular? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2023

This passage gives us insight into why Jesus became so popular so quickly. It also points out to us something that we emphasize in the modern American church that was not a part of Jesus' popularity.

VERSE 15 IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THIS PASSAGE: This is a story and testament to Jesus’ quickly rising popularity early in His ministry. - Luke 5:15. - It would be easy to see this passage as another miracle story, but I think it serves a more specific purpose in Luke’s gospel. Jesus has just called ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

How To Treat The Believers We Disagree With Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 26, 2023

This sermon delves into Romans 14 and brings out the point that we are to accept each other and how to do that.

- Sermon series: “How to Disagree.” Last week we established that there are disputable matters, which is an important category to understand. There may be theological issues about which sincere believers can have honest disagreement. - Having established that, we move today onto the next logical ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Our Judgmental Attitude Toward Our Brothers And Sisters In Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 4, 2023

It's so easy for us to be judgmental toward those in our church family. What does this passage tell us about how God wants us to handle those thoughts?

- So far in this sermon series: 1. There are disputable matters. 2. We should accept the brother or sister we disagree with on disputable matters. NOT OUR JOB: It is not our job to judge our brothers over disputable matters. - Romans 14:1b. - We are focusing this morning on the judgmental ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

Denomination: Baptist