Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

How Elizabeth Encouraged Mary Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 23, 2020

Mary has just received overwhelming news. To whom does she look? Elizabeth is the only one in the world that she knows of also dealing with a miraculous birth, so she quickly turns to her. How can we encourage others like Elizabeth encouraged Mary?

SOMEONE ELSE: Mary was encouraged by what God was doing in Elizabeth’s life. - Luke 1:36, 39. - Mary had gotten mind-blowing news. Why did the angel mention Elizabeth? Because Elizabeth had gone through something similar. Certainly it was not a virgin pregnancy, but it nonetheless was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-41

Denomination: Baptist

He Had To Be One Of Us!

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Nov 26, 2020

We cannot save ourselves or meet our deepest spiritual and emotional needs. Jesus had to become one of us to save us, to represent us and, to help us.

“Puppies for Sale,” the sign said, and a young boy came to inquire. “I’d like to buy one, if they don’t cost too much.” “Well, son, they’re $25.” The boy was crushed. “I’ve only got $2.05. Could I see them anyway?” “Sure,” said the kind gentleman. The boy’s eyes danced at the sight of 5 little fur ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When My Situation Seems Impossible Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 30, 2020

The angel tells Mary that nothing is impossible with God. This sermon looks at five things that seem impossible that God has made possible.

“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD”: “Well, then, give me a million dollars!” - Luke 1:37. - Shallow requests. WHAT ARE SOME WORTHWHILE REQUESTS THAT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE? 1. “I wish I could have my slate wiped clean.” - Luke 24:47. - Matthew 26:28; Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:22. - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Trust Lead To Power? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 2, 2020

This sermon looks at Mary's submission to the angel's message, saying that she is the Lord's servant. What can we learn from Mary? And how does having trust in God lead to seeing power from God?

“I DON'T WANT TO BE A SERVANT!”: How does trust lead to power? - Luke 1:38. - We don’t want to be a servant. - It’s challenging for us today to embrace being a servant. We are far more familiar with being a consumer, where we are the one who is being served and whose needs are being ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Brother Jesus

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 3, 2020

God, in Jesus, identifies with us and reveals his love for us in as real and personal a way as possible. And the more we come to understand and appreciate the full humanity of Christ, the stronger our relationship with God will be.

Hebrews 2:10-18 (Read Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-18) In 1980 a woman named Rosie Ruiz ran the NY City Marathon and finished first in the Women’s Division--or so it seemed initially. After she received the star treatment at the finish line, though, some of the event staff realized that they hadn’t ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

A Living Hope

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Dec 7, 2020

Biblical hope is a sure thing, not a maybe thing.

In his book, "Come Thirsty (pages 47-48)," Max Lucado tells a story of a little Haitian Orphan by the name of Carinette. He says that she lived in a different world, a world called, “home-to-be.” "See the slender girl wearing the pink shirt? The girl with the long nose and bushy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Treasure In Heaven Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 26, 2021

Greed and generosity are opposing spiritual forces. Selfishness and greed have the effect of shriveling our souls by wasting our potential for love, whereas generosity becomes the source of God’s richest blessing and joy.

Luke 12:13-21 In the days of the Wild West there was an armed bank robbery in California involving a large sum of money. The bank hired a bounty hunter to track down the thief, and when the search led to Mexico he realized he’d need to hire an interpreter. One was found, and the bounty hunter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Love Is Relational

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 8, 2021

Love is all about relationships. The cross itself speaks of the two dimensions of love, vertical and horizontal, divine and human love. And where they intersect most powerfully is in relationships.

Love is Relational John 21:15-17 (Read text.) I remember hearing missionaries to the Congo talking about the need for long-term missions, especially the importance of learning the language and the culture of the people. “Language and culture are important,” they said, “because they facilitate ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Lessons From The Triumphal Entry Prophecies Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 18, 2021

This sermon on a familiar passage takes a different approach, looking at the prophetic quotes within the Triumphal Entry story.

OUR FOCUS IN THIS MESSAGE: This Triumphal Entry story pauses to note its Old Testament roots. - John 12:16. - This is easily overlooked, but it is important that it is inserted here. What do the prophetic pieces of this passage have to tell us? - Preaching on the Triumphal Entry normally either ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Rising Popularity And The Upside-Down Kingdom Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 25, 2021

A golden opportunity for increased popularity presents itself, but Jesus uses the occasion to talk about what glory looks like in His "upside-down" kingdom.

THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN TOWN? Jesus’ popularity reaches a new level when even the Greeks are interested in Him. - John 12:20-22. A RELATED IDEA? Jesus’ response is focused on glory. - John 12:23. - Is Jesus interested in glory the way that everyone else is or is He pointing them toward ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Face-To-Face With Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 23, 2021

What can we learn from Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus?

THE MOST IMPORTANT SIGN: Jesus has definitive power over death. - John 11:17, 25-26, 47. a. This is a sign. - v. 47. - Throughout John we see Jesus doing miracles as signs. This is not just a sign, but the most important sign. - John 11 is the high point of the gospel, in a literary sense. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of Contentment Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Mar 27, 2021

Envy is a sin and a curse, one more form of unbelief that denies God’s goodness. Its answer is found in learning the secret of contentment: our complete dependence and trust in God’s amazing love.

The Secret of Contentment A mother and her young son were out one day for a walk when the weather suddenly turned dangerous. A tornado funnel formed overhead and came right towards them. Seeing this, they took shelter at the base of a tree and clung to its trunk. But although the mother was ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13

Anger Management Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 2, 2021

Anger is a two-edged sword: our disciplined responses to conflict can reflect spiritual wisdom and bear witness to the transforming power of grace. How well we control anger can reveal a lot about our spiritual health.

An OR nurse in Georgia tells the story of a couple arriving at the hospital, both of them with gunshot wounds. The husband had overslept on his first day on the job because his wife forgot to set the alarm, and he expressed his displeasure by shooting her in the arm. Not to be outdone, she ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-21

Why Power Blinds Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 9, 2021

The Pharisees desire for power blinds them to the point where they acknowledge Jesus is doing miracles but still want to kill Him! What can we learn from their lust for power?

THE PHARISEES WANT TO KILL THE GUY DOING MIRACLES: Power creates blind spots. - John 11:47-48, 53. - The connection between v. 47 and v. 53 is almost unbelievable. - In v. 47, the Pharisees admit that Jesus is doing many miraculous signs. - Yet in v. 53 they plot to take Jesus’ life. - What in ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-57

Denomination: Baptist

Desire And Discipline Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 10, 2021

Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but we can broaden that concept to include overindulgence in general. And the need for self-discipline and healthy boundaries is as relevant an issue in our times as it has ever been.

1 Peter 5:8-11 A boy’s father bought a new lawn mower and told his son that he could keep half of the money if he sold their old one. So the boy posted an ad on the bulletin board at their local grocery store, and within a few days a prospective buyer came by to see it. ‘Does it run?” he asked. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11