Sermons on Jim Croce:

What Does Spiritual Confidence Look Like?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 6, 2013

A look at what it means to step out in faith that what Jesus says is settled.

HOW TO AMAZE JESUS: Move forward confident that what Jesus said is settled. - Matthew 8:8-10. - In verses 8-9 the centurion says something simple but extraordinary. The soldier understands authority: he tells one of his underling soldier to do something and they go do it. He is a man of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

What Should I Do When I’m Not Sure Of God’s Leading? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 13, 2013

This passage deals with the myth that the Magi followed the Star of Bethlehem all the way to Jerusalem. In truth, the star disappeared and then reappeared after they were in Jerusalem. The message applies this phenomenon to the way that God often guides

STAR OF BETHLEHEM MYTH: The Magi followed the star from their homes all the way to Jesus. - This is the version of the story that we’ve seen shared in countless Christmas plays, movies, and cards. - And, as we’re going to be discussing at several points in this series, the fact that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

What Do I Do When God’s Leading Doesn’t Add Up? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 20, 2013

A look at the fact that the Magi did not come to Bethlehem but to Nazareth. The sermon uses that truth to talk about following God's direction instead of the man's leading.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM MYTH: The star led the Magi to Bethlehem. - We’ve all seen this in a hundred Christmas plays. - Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen to be the way that the Bible actually says the story happened. - This morning I want to talk about the way the Bible says the story ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Happens When We Get Tired Of Waiting On God’s Answer?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 20, 2013

A look at the consequences of trying to manufacture an answer rather than waiting on God to come through for us.

OUR SITUATION: We have a real problem and God seems to be late. - Genesis 16:1, 3. - Verse 3 notes that they’d been living in Canaan for 10 years at this point. Ten years is a long time to wait, especially for something as meaningful as a child. - We don’t want to minimize the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

When We're Embarrassed Of Jesus

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 27, 2013

A look at Peter denying three times and at five examples of times when we are embarrassed of Jesus.

EVERYONE LOVES JESUS IN CHURCH: Whether I’m embarrassed of Jesus often changes with a spike in the cost. - Mark 14: 27-31, 50, 67-68. - It’s easy to love Jesus when there’s no cost involved. It’s easy to love Him when there’s no pressure. - As the costs increase, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:66-72

Denomination: Baptist

What Can God Do Through Me?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2011

A look at the calling God places on each of us as well as some of the excuses we use to try to avoid that calling.

GOD ONLY CALLS PREACHERS, RIGHT? We all have a calling from God. - Jeremiah 1:5. - NT references to call/jobs: Matthew 21:28; Mark 13:34; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:15-16; Philippians 4:3. - Does God call only preachers? - There can be a call for someone to be a preacher, but a ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10

Denomination: Baptist

“what Subject Is Important Enough To Be In 45 Of Jeremiah’s 52 Chapters?”

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 16, 2011

This sermon looks at the biggest subject in Jeremiah: idolatry.

Talking About It Again And Again And Again: The biggest subject in Jeremiah is that God’s people had wandered off after idols. - Jeremiah 2:5, 11, 13. - v. 5, 11 – Following worthless idols. - Back in Israel’s day the idols were usually literal idols. Figures of wood or clay ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is Repentance Essential To Living Fully For God?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 19, 2012

A look at what repentace is and why it's so necessary.

Basic outline: “It’s His Job, Right?”: We expect God to be merciful, but we forget that repentance is required. - Jeremiah 3:12b (merciful/angry forever). What’s It Look Like? Repentance is less a charge of emotion and more a change of direction. - Jeremiah 3:13b ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:11-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Does God Expect Of His Pastors?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 26, 2012

A look at God's complaints about Israel's shepherds and what that means for pastors today.

OUTLINE: The Pastor Is God’s Representative, Right? There are a lot of Biblical references where God is displeased with pastors. - Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:1-31; Matthew 23:1-39. What A Good Shepherd Looks Like: 1. The focus is on the sheep, not the pastor. - Ezekiel ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:15

Denomination: Baptist

What's Ahead For The Christian

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2012

A look at four of the great things we can anticipate being in our future.

The Big Idea: For the Christian, what’s ahead is better than what’s behind. - The specific context here is that things are going to be better for Israel. - In Romans 11 (see vv. 11-12, 28-29), Paul makes it clear that God is not done with Israel. - Those passages speak of how the ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 3:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

When God Seem To Be Asking For Too Much From You

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 25, 2012

A look at the conditional obedience we often offer God, in comparison with Joseph's complete and costly obedience.

ASKING TOO MUCH? Often our willingness to obey God comes with a pre-set spending limit. Main illustration: An American Express card vs. a Walmart pre-loaded card. This is a Walmart pre-loaded card with $50 on it. If I give it to you, you can buy whatever you want. . . up to $50. This is an ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Make Us Wait?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2012

A look at some of the major reasons that God doesn't always answer our prayers when we want Him to.

A Nagging Question: Why does God make us wait? - Genesis 15:1-3. The questions linger in our minds. Even someone with as great a faith as Abraham struggled with these questions. I want to look at some of the main reasons that He makes us wait. I realize this is not as good as telling you that ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 15:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Worship Fully - Escape The Noise Series

Contributed by Jim Martin on Nov 19, 2012

This sermon is the first of a four sermon series for a church that is supporting International Justice Mission through Advent Conspiracy. This sermon elaborates on the topic of Worshipping Fully in the Advent season by exploring sciptures in Isaiah, encou

Worship Fully — Escape the Noise Isaiah 58 This sermon is one in a four-part series encouraging congregations as they join the Advent Conspiracy and Give More, Spend Less, Worship Fully and Love All. For the remainder of the sermon series, visit www.IJM.org/adventconspiracy. 1. Introduction to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-7

Denomination: *other

Jeremiah's Performance Review Series

Contributed by Jim Martin on Nov 20, 2012

In Jeremiah 19 there is the climactic scene where Jeremiah is instructed to smash at the gate of the city in front of the leaders of Jerusalem. The clash of worldviews and the significant emotional cargo of this passage seemed difficult to render to a mod

Jeremiah’s Performance Review by Jim Martin The River Church Community Sunday, November 18th, 2007 The River Church Community ACT I Scene 1 The intro has to set up that the book of Jeremiah and this story arc in the OT are all about God trying to warn his people that if they ...read more

Denomination: *other

Why God Is Concerned About The People We Don’t Care About

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 12, 2014

A look at the source of God's empathy for the people we don't care about as well as some guidance on how we can become more like God in this area.

LOOKING AT PEOPLE WE DON'T LIKE: I can roll my eyes at them. - Most of us find it pretty easy to roll our eyes at people we don’t care for. - We dismiss them. We find them not worth our time. - Some of these people are those we struggle with personally. - Others are simply part of a ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 4:10-11

Denomination: Baptist