Sermons on Jim Croce:

Hope When Obstacles Discourage Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 15, 2018

Encouragement on how to not lose heart. How does God use struggles to move us forward spiritually?

WHY DO WE GET DISCOURAGED? Obstacles weigh us down. - 2 Corinthians 4:16a. - In one sense, it’s good news that the first part of v. 16 is in there. It’s a reminder to us that God knows that we get discouraged and need a little hope. These verses are in here to give us that hope. Hopefully ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

For What Purpose Did God Make Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 18, 2018

Paul details the purpose God created us for and the importance of the new body that Christians will experience.

A BETTER BODY: Our current body is like a leaky tent; our resurrection body is like a solid building. - 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 4, 8. - Verse 1 compares our earthly body to a tent. If you’ve been camping you know that most tents can be leaky, drafty, decidedly rough. But we have a second body to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready To Meet Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 20, 2018

We all will meet Jesus someday. What's your plan for that moment?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN JUSTICE? One that’s required if you want justice is judgment. - There resides with almost all of us a desire for justice. It hurts us to watch the end of a trial and see in the verdict that someone got away with it. It’s just not right. And that bothers us. - There seems to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That ‘all Died’ At The Cross? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2018

A look at the idea of substitutionary atonement and what it means for who we are in Christ.

HOW MANY DIED AT THE CROSS? What does it mean that “all died” at the cross? - 2 Corinthians 5:14. WHAT DOES "SUBSTITUTION ATONEMENT" LOOK LIKE? Christ died as a “substitution” for me. - 2 Corinthians 5:14. [Put these in the outline. Maybe put some of the Scriptures on the screen.] WHAT ARE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding Who I Am Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 3, 2018

This message examines being a new creation in Christ and what that means for us.

The Looking-Glass Self: Much of who we think we are arises from who others say we are. - There is a sociological idea developed by Charles Cooley in 1902 called the “looking glass self.” The idea is straightforward: much of who we believe ourselves to be comes from what others think of us. - If ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That Christ "reconciled" Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 9, 2018

Paul here uses an interesting and unusual phrase: "reconciled." What exactly does it mean that Christ has reconciled us?

WHAT DOES "RECONCILE" MEAN? It is bringing two things into agreement. - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. - The key word in this passage is “reconcile.” This is not a word that we use much in sermons or Bible study, but it’s a good Bible word and it has an important truth to teach us. This ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

One Way We Accidentally Trip Up New Believers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 14, 2018

The Christian life is challenging and one way we trip up new believers is by giving them false expectations about what the journey will be like. This passage details the difficulties Paul encountered and serves as a good summary of the struggles any believer may encounter.

HOW WOULD THEIR MINISTRY BE DISCREDITED? If their children in the faith didn’t continue the race. - 2 Corinthians 6:3b – “. . . so that our ministry will not be discredited.” - Paul talks elsewhere about his children in the faith being his joy. And certainly they were. Here we see another truth ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Baptist

A Secret Weapon For Getting People To Want Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 19, 2018

In this passage Paul speaks of throwing his "heart wide open" to the Corinthians. Could it be that the deep relationships that will come from doing that might be the church's secret weapon for attracting people to Jesus in a culture overwhelmed by loneliness?

DANGER SIGNS ON CHURCH FRIENDSHIPS: Shallow conversation, safe prayer requests, and busy pastors. - Sometimes church members can be mean to each other, but even in good times many church friendships are characterized by their lack of depth. What are some of the signs? a. Shallow conversation. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Harsh Advice On Who To Marry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 28, 2018

This is a challenging passage. Paul repeatedly emphasizes the vast difference between Christians and non-Christians that makes marriage a non-starter. Why does Paul think that Christians should not marry non-Christians?

OVERKILL? Why does Paul make such a big deal about this? - 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. - Paul here argues that Christians should not marry non-Christians. That strikes many people as overkill. Is it really that big a deal? Is it really worth the repetition that Paul makes here? This is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Do We Purify Ourselves? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 9, 2019

Some practical help on moving from just wanting to be forgiven of our sins to wanting to be freed from our sins.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO BE PURIFIED? Do I want to be forgiven of sin or freed from sin? - 2 Corinthians 7:1. - Many Christians are content to merely be forgiven of their sins. Indeed, many presume that’s all there is to salvation. - There’s meant to be much more than that, though. Jesus didn’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1

Denomination: Baptist

How God Comforts The Downcast Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 16, 2019

This passage shares the encouraging truth that "God . . . comforts the downcast." It also points out one of the major ways that He does that: through the people He's put around us.

DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE DOWNCAST? He cares enough that He has put the answer all around us. - 2 Corinthians 7:6 – “God . . . comforts the downcast” - We doubt. We feel discouraged and downcast and we wonder if God cares. - And this is a big deal because there are so many today who struggle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Bigger Than Money Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 23, 2018

This message focuses on stepping out of the American Dream's pursuit of escalating standards of living. Instead we are to hold our money lightly and "freely receive, freely give."

- In some ways this is the second part of last week’s sermon. Last week we looked at this passage in Matthew 10:8 about freely receiving and freely giving. We talked about living life with an open hand and whether we are living stingy lives. - I want to return to that same passage this morning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem With ‘what’s Best For Me’

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 19, 2018

A look at God's call to be concerned for the vulnerable.

Our Starting Point: “What’s best for me?” - We usually end up with a self-centered mentality. We look out for ourselves. And that is certainly encouraged within our society. We are a “winner-take-all” place where everyone looks out for themselves. - What responsibility do we have to those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Makes God’s Judgment Harder Or Easier?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 27, 2018

A look at three things the Bible says will impact the severity with which God judges a person.

A TRUTH FOR EVERYONE: Let’s begin by establishing that everyone gets judged by God. - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 20:11-15. - Those who have accepted Christ will be judged for rewards; those who have not accepted Christ will be judged for their sin. But everyone faces a moment of standing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Frogs In Te Bread-Celebration

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 2, 2018

Hear God’s voice and act today!

Title: Frogs In the Bread-Celebration Date: 7/1/18 Place: BLCC Text: Exodus 8 CT: Hear God’s voice and act today! FAS Sing Majesty That’s who I celebrate this morning. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my King and he is my Savior and I could go on and on as to whom Jesus is. At this time of year ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church