Sermons on F Jim Cymbala:

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

The Ongoing Mockery Of Christ

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 28, 2017

This passage describes the mockery of Jesus. Are there ways that we mock Him today?

SUCH SELF-CONTROL: Jesus shows remarkable restraint in the face of ugly mockery. - Mark 15:16-20. a. The mockery. - The scene is hard-breaking: the sinless Son of God being mocked by the Roman soldiers. - We see injustice in the world today and it pierces our heart. We deeply know that the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-20

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Carry Your Cross?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 29, 2017

Looking at Simon being forced to carry the cross, we consider the call of each Christian to carry a cross as part of the life of faith.

SIMON'S TASK: Simon was called on to carry the cross. - Mark 15:21. OUR TASK: We are called on to carry our cross. - Mark 8:34. - It’s not just Simon who was called on to carry the cross. As part of the Christian life, we are called to carry our cross as well. - This is confusing to many ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:21, Mark 8:34-35

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your One

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 5, 2017

Jesus already knows who we are trying to reach.

Title: Who Is Your One? Place: BLCC Date:7/2/17 Text: Luke 5.27-32 CT: Jesus already knows whom we are trying to reach. FAS: In his book The Gospel According to Jesus, Chris Seay mentions a profound lesson he learned from his father about loving the "bad people": Growing up, we didn't have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Philippians 2-The Heart Of Christ

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 5, 2017

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ.

Title: Philippians 2-The Heart of Christ Date: 7/9/17 Place: BLCC Text: Philippians 2.5-11 CT: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ. [Screen 1] In his sermon titled "Think Hard, Stay Humble," Francis Chan told the following story about a man named Vaughn ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian Church

What Does It Mean That There Will Be A ‘davidic Branch’?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 5, 2017

A look at the nature of the "Davidic branch" prophecy.

Raising Up A Branch: The prophecy is that there will be a descendant of David who will fulfill these predictions. - Jeremiah 23:5. What Will That Look Like? 1. There will be a king. - Jeremiah 23:5. 2. He will be wise and just. - Jeremiah 23:5. 3. His people will live in safety. - ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-8

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

Salt Of The Earth

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 29, 2020

The phrase "salt of the earth" has become a commonly used expression in our society. The dictionary defines it as used in reference to "a very good and honest person or group," but that doesn't begin to do justice to what Jesus had in mind in this teaching.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:13) Salt today has become such a commonplace part of our lives, available in every home or restaurant, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

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

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

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17