Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

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

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

The Problem Of Weeds

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 14, 2020

This parable may very well be one of the most important teachings for the church to hear in helping us to understand the nature of our witness for good in the world.

The Problem of Weeds Read Matthew 13:24-30 Everyone who has ever farmed or gardened, or taken care of a lawn, is only too familiar with the vexing reality of weeds. Weeds are essentially a mundane example of the fall of Creation and the presence of sin in the world. The dictionary defines them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

What Jesus Brings Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2020

This passage early in John gives us important answers to what John did, who Jesus is, and what Jesus brings us.

WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST IS: He is the witness. - John 1:6, 7, 8, 15. a. He was sent from God. - v. 6. b. He was a witness to the light. - v. 7. c. He was not the light. - v. 8. d. He declared Jesus was God Incarnate. - v. 15. WHO JESUS IS: He is God. - John 1:9, 10, 11, 14, 18. a. He ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid Seeing God Move In Your Life Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2020

Jesus' healing on an invalid suffering for 38 years provides an interesting example of ways that we sometimes miss out on what God is willing to do in our lives.

HOW TO AVOID SEEING GOD MOVE IN YOUR LIFE: 1. CONSIDER IT TOO LATE. - John 5:5. - Life has a way of beating us down. Especially when we are continually pummeled over many years. - This invalid had been there for nearly four decades. It’s hard not the lose your hope by that point. - Many of ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Son’s Connection To The Father Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 30, 2020

This deep, dense, and challenging passage details the connections between the Son and the Father. What specifics can we learn from it?

EQUAL WITH GOD: The Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father. - John 5:18. - What exactly is going on in this interaction that the Jews thought Jesus was claiming to be equal with God the Father? a. In v. 16 the Jews persecute Jesus because He violated their rules for the ...read more

Scripture: John 5:15-30

Denomination: Baptist

Six Testimonies About Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 3, 2020

Jesus says that He's not going to testify about Himself, but He's got an impressive lineup of witnesses to who He is. What can we learn from them?

- v. 31. Six Testimonies about Jesus: 1. The positive testimony of John the Baptist: Jesus is the Perfect Lamb. - John 5:31-35. 2. The positive testimony of the work: Jesus is the Suffering Messiah. - John 5:36. 3. The positive testimony of the Father: Jesus is the Beloved Son. - John ...read more

Scripture: John 5:31-47

Denomination: Baptist

When We Don’t Have Enough Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 10, 2020

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (really, probably the 20,000) is a story about asking God to move in bigger ways that we have the resources to move ourselves.

MORE THAN A MEAL: Jesus was testing His disciples. - John 6:6. - John tells that Jesus is doing this to test the disciples. Obviously, throughout His three years of ministry He was pushing them to grow and learn the lessons of the Kingdom. - Now, He asks them to sort out this difficult ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherd's Voice

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 20, 2020

God is the faithful shepherd of our souls, who loves us and wants to guide, protect and care for us. May we listen well for his voice--through Scripture, prayer and fellow believers.

“The Shepherd’s Voice” John 10:1-15 Read John 10:1-15 The owner of a sheep ranch in Australia was arrested and charged with stealing his neighbor’s sheep. He vigorously maintained his innocence, however, claiming it was one of his own flock who had been missing, whom he had merely recovered ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-15

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