Sermons on Jim Croce:

Is Porn Really All That Bad? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2018

This sermon looks at five opening questions about pornography.

FIVE STARTING QUESTIONS: 1. HOW SUBSTANTIAL A PROBLEM IS PORN IN AMERICA TODAY? Three numbers: a. Porn is about a $100 billion industry in America, which is 100 times higher than revenues 20 years ago. - Note that these numbers are just “the porn industry.” That is, the legal, W-2 filing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Porn Promises A Shortcut That’s Really A Dead-End Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 27, 2018

Using the Temptation of Christ as a text, this sermon examines how sex is a good gift from God, but porn tries to offer a shortcut to sexual satisfaction.

AN OVERLOOKED TRUTH: Sex was God’s idea and it is a good gift from Him. - Genesis 2:20-25. - The church often comes across as anti-sex. We talk a lot about what’s wrong with the way our culture handles sex. This sermon series largely falls into that category, so I’m not saying that there is no ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Five Key Spiritual Truths For Battling Porn Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 10, 2018

A look at five essential spiritual truths to defeat porn in your life. Lots of Scripture references for further research.

What Does The Truth Matter? The truth will set you free. - John 8:31-32. - These verses are often quoted in a poetic way – and they are beautiful words. But they also speak to an essential spiritual idea. That idea is that the truth will set you free. It will set you free from sin. - I want ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Practical Strategies For Conquering Porn Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 10, 2018

Some insight for defeating the temptation of pornography in your life.

Practical Strategies For Conquering Porn: 1. You have to want to break free. - This will not happen by accident or without a struggle. - It will be a battle. - You have to be willing to do the work to get free. 2. Staying away beats willpower. - A strategy for failure is to continue to put ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement For ‘silence Saturdays’ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 10, 2018

There are times in our walk of faith when God seems silent, as He did on the Saturday of Holy Week. A look at how to deal with the times of silence.

The Day After: The disciples were confused and depressed on the “Silence Saturday.” - John 19:30; John 20:13, 19. - I want to introduce a term to you: “Silence Saturday.” - When we think of Holy Week, we think of the various important days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday. Generally ...read more

Scripture: John 19:30

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Rested Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 15, 2018

A look at how Jesus rested on the Saturday of Holy Week. It was the Sabbath day and He was able to rest because He had finished His work well.

Well-Earned Rest: Some of the best rest comes from finished work completed well. - Most of us have had that moment: you’ve been working hard all day on a project – maybe you’re painting a bedroom. It’s long needed work and today was the day. It took the better part of your Saturday, but as you ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Comfort That God Gives Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 22, 2018

This passage repeats "comfort" again and again. What does Paul teach us hear about God's comfort?

HARD ROAD: This life is tough and we will need some comfort along the way. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. - Even if you were only half paying attention when I read the passage, you know the main word: “comfort.” It’s littered throughout the verses. - Comfort is something that we all need from time to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph-The Waiting Room Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 20, 2017

The wait for God is worth it.

Title: Joseph-The Waiting Room Date: 11/26/17 Place: BLCC Text: Genesis 39-41 CT: The wait for God is worth it. Dan McConchie, vice president of government affairs at Americans United for Life, was riding his motorcycle through a suburban intersection when a car came into his lane and pushed ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Does God Allow These Struggles?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2017

A look at the Christmas passage - specifically, the struggle of Mary and Joseph having the baby in Bethlehem far from home. A look at four ways God uses our struggles in our lives.

Mary And Joseph’s Road Trip: “Why does God allow these struggles in my life?” - Luke 2:3-6. - The trip to Bethlehem under such difficult circumstances had to be a struggle. Did they have questions? I know I would have. “God, why are You allowing this?” “God, have You forgotten us?” “God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph-Revenge Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 29, 2017

Leave vengeance to God.

Title: Joseph-Revenge Place: BLCC Date: 12/3/17 Text: Romans 12.17-19 CT: Leave vengeance to God. [Screen 1] Matt Woodley told this story. My friend Steve warned me that he didn't believe in forgiveness. "God could never forgive me," he said. "Okay, maybe he could forgive 70 percent of my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-19

Denomination: Christian Church

What Am I Supposed To Do With My Unanswered Questions?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 1, 2017

This message focuses on Luke 2:6-7 and the unanswered questions that Mary and Joseph must have had as they end up in with no decent place to stay when the baby comes. How could God be with them and she have to put the baby in a manger?

SOME OF MARY AND JOSEPH'S QUESTIONS: “God, why have the birth so far from home?” “God, why didn’t You provide a place for us to stay?” “God, how can this be the place for the miracle child to be born?” - Luke 2:6-7. - I’m sure when the angel visited Mary and told her that she’d be carrying this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Eve Sermon: "Am I 'strong In Spirit'?"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 5, 2017

A look at Luke 1:80 where it says that John the Baptist "become strong in spirit." This is the verse before the famous Christmas story (Luke 2:1-7). The sermon encourages people to "train themselves in godliness" and become more like Christ.

- Story from Preaching Today of the person pointlessly trying to visit every Starbucks in America. - “Accomplishing” something that really doesn’t amount to much. - What we accomplish with our lives is what v. 80 got me to thinking about. - This verse comes just before that famous Christmas ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did The Angels Announce The Birth To Shepherds?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2017

A message about the choice to proclaim the news of Christ's birth to the lowly shepherds. The sermon looks at how the shepherds were a foreshadowing of who the ministry of Jesus would focus on.

OF COURSE IT WAS SHEPHERDS: We act like this was an inevitable part of the story, but it wasn’t. - Luke 2:8-12. - The Christmas story is so familiar that we presume that each part had to happen that way. “Of course the shepherds heard from the angels. It had to be like that.” Only it didn’t. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Upon Grace

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Dec 7, 2017

God's grace covers us all.

Sunday Night: Grace Upon Grace Place: BLCC Date: 12/10/17 Text: John 1.6-18 CT: God’s grace covers us all. In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Christian Church

Joseph-Fullness Of Time Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Dec 7, 2017

We must trust God with our life. This sermon used to support our church moving forward into a new building due to God given growth.

Title: Joseph-Fullness of Time Place: BLCC Date: 12/10/17 Text: Galatians 4.4 CT: We must trust God with our life. [Screen 1] FAS: Here is a story about a married woman who decided to go on her own private vacation to Europe. She went from the Midwest to London and then she was planning to go ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church