Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

Ask And You Will Receive

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 1, 2020

Faithful, believing, heartfelt prayer is a game-changer.

“Ask and You Will Receive” After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, in which evangelist D.L. Moody’s church was destroyed, he decided to take a trip to England as a sort of educational sabbatical while the new sanctuary was being built. He wanted to learn from some of his British counterparts in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Strength For Today

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 6, 2020

Jesus wants us to see the alternative to worry: a life of peace and joy and trust.

“Strength for Today” “I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

The False Security That Our Wealth Brings Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 12, 2020

God thunders His displeasure with the wealthy. How can we find our security in God instead of money?

A GATED COMMUNITY: Money can bring a false sense of security. - Amos 3:15. - Some aspects: a. We use it separate ourselves. - You see this physically in the way in most places neighborhoods are divided by income. We’ve reached a certain level and so we don’t have to hang out with those from ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Washing Feet And A Kingdom Of Power Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 22, 2021

This passage gives us the dynamic example of Jesus washing feet. How can Jesus lay aside the traditional power structures to be able to live like that? The answer is in this passage.

PETER'S EMPHATIC "NO": Peter was deeply offended by Christ’s offer because he was still thinking of a traditional power structure. - John 13:6-10a. - The disciples were still expecting the inaugural of a traditional kingdom. - Rome was going to be overthrown, the Jewish nation was ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be A Friend Of Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 27, 2021

This passage mentions multiple times that we are Jesus' friends. What does that mean exactly?

- “Refrigerator rights.” The idea that you become good enough friends that when you’re at their house you don’t have to ask to get something out of the refrigerator. THE PROOFS OF THE FRIENDSHIP: 1. His proof of friendship is His sacrifice. - John 15:13. 2. Our proof of friendship is our ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

A Legacy Of Love Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jul 31, 2021

As Christians, we have the awesome responsibility, and the sacred privilege, to have our lives count for the greater glory of God.

A Legacy of Love Philippians 3:7-16 The mission to land a man on the moon began by President Kennedy sharing a vision in his inaugural address for achieving that ambitious objective by the end of the decade. In doing so, he stated that “we choose to do these things not because they are easy, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16

But It’s Only Words

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 10, 2021

We often dismiss our words because actions are what really matter. This sermon looks at some of the warnings the Scripture gives us about the dangers of our words.

BUT IT'S ONLY WORDS: Often we think of actions as being serious but words as being insignificant. TAKING OUR WORDS SERIOUSLY: 1. Your words reveal who you are. - Matthew 12:34-35. - We deny this: “I said it but that’s not who I am.” Like when we lie or burst out in anger. 2. Your words ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-6, James 1:26, Matthew 12:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Children Of Light Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 16, 2021

May God help us to see the darkness of lust for the deadly sin it is, and to reclaim our innocence as the children of light, in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Ephesians 5:1-12 A national conference of church youth leaders was held at a hotel in the Midwest several years ago. At first the hotel manager was impressed by the friendly Christian witness of his guests, and he interacted very openly with the conference organizers as they shared their faith ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-12

Finding God's Blessing After We've Been Wandering Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This sermon discusses the need to return to God, not just return to doing good. Is religious activity enough to get God's blessing?

- Background on the book: - Addressed to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in 538 B.C. Two years later they started to work on the temple, but opposition led that to be put aside for 16 years. - This opening statement comes right after the restarting of the temple project. - ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Is Doing When He Seems Distant Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Where is God when He seems distant?

- The Jews here had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. They were surrounded by strong enemies and their attempts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem had just gotten restarted. - Here we have eight night visions designed to encourage God’s people. As I noted last week, the theme of Zechariah can ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

When The World Becomes Too Enticing Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Some important reminders for those who are enticed to run with the world.

- This sermon handles the second vision (1:18-21) and the third vision (2:1-13). - It is tempting to spiritualize the truths contained in this passage, but I think there is a larger truth that is well worth our time in focusing on the straightforward, long-term truth shared here. - In some ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Picture Of Salvation Before Salvation Was Possible Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

An amazing prophecy that points us directly to what Jesus did for us.

A PICTURE OF SALVATION BEFORE SALVATION WAS POSSIBLE: - “Angel of the Lord” generally means pre-incarnate Jesus in OT passages. 1. We are morally filthy. - Zechariah 3:3. - Isaiah 64:6. - The Hebrew for “filthy” literally means “excrement-covered.” 2. Satan (accurately) accuses us. - ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Encouraging Vision For The Spiritually Overwhelmed Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This vision points us to the great power of the Spirit.

- The last vision concerned cleansing our souls; this vision concerns our work for God. WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM? 1. The solid gold lampstand symbolizes our work to shine the light to the nations. - Zechariah 4:2, 10b. - 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6-7. - The obvious symbolism of a light points toward ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

When The Word Brings The Nuclear Option Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This vision points us to the destructive power of the Word when people reject it.

WHAT DOES THE VISION MEAN? 1. God’s Word is not hidden and is seeking you out. - Zechariah 5:1-2. - Let’s begin with the vision statement in v. 2 and its three pieces. a. “Scroll.” - This obviously points us to God’s Word. A scroll is parchment with writing, which is how the manuscripts were ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Downside Of An Economic Upturn Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

We as Americans are consumed with prosperity. This passage points out the place of prosperity in the rise and power of Babylon in the end times.

- To gain the world and lost your (national) soul, that’s indeed a tragedy. - We want to talk about gaining the world tonight and what the tragic cost sometimes is. FOURTH OF JULY CHURCH SERVICE: We praise God for letting us participate in America’s prosperity. - Churches often celebrate God’s ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:5-11

Denomination: Baptist