Sermons on jim croce: showing 2,461-2,475 of 6,443

Getting Just Enough Truth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

What would it be like to live in a world where deception was shunned?

AN AMAZING THOUGHT: What would it be like to live in a world where deception was shunned? - Zechariah 13:2-6. PART OF OUR GOAL RIGHT NOW: Passionately pursue truth. - What gets in the way: a. We settle for our comfort over truth. b. We docilely accept the things we’ve been taught. c. We ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Bloody Plan Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A look at the striking price of the plan that God has.

- Open: - We all love the Christmas season. The lights of the tree, the warm gathering with family, the birth of the Savior. - There is a part of the Christmas story that we don’t like, though. It doesn’t fit with our warm light, soft focus Christmas. - Matthew 2:13-18 tells us of the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Moment When Jesus’ Feet Touch The Mount Of Olives Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A detailed and compelling vision of the return of Christ. What happens when Jesus' feet touch the Mount of Olives?

[Divide into two parts?] - This passage contains detailed prophecy about the return of Christ – specifically, the moment when Jesus’ feet touch the Mount of Olives. - We are going to cover a lot tonight, but there is so much interesting and compelling details here that I don’t want to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be "highly Favored" By God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 22, 2019

The prosperity gospel tells us that "favor" means God makes our lives easier and more prosperous. But here, Mary is called "highly favored." What does that mean for Mary and what can we learn from her?

PROSPERITY GOSPEL: Some people today teach that having “God’s favor” means unlimited blessings. - This is true of prosperity gospel preachers, but it’s also true of a lot of American Christians who know a lot more about America than the New Testament. WHAT DID "FAVOR WITH GOD" ACTUALLY ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

When God’s Promises Seem Too Good To Be Real Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2019

Mary's response to Gabriel's message is surprising. The message is unexpectedly encouraging, yet the Bible says she was deeply troubled. Are there times when God gives us good news but we don't treat it like good news?

THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE: Gabriel’s message was unexpectedly encouraging yet troubling to Mary. - Luke 1:28-29. - The message and the response don’t immediately line up. Let’s start with the response: v. 29 tells us that Mary was greatly troubled. Given that response, you would presume that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why Can Spiritual Stuff Be So Scary? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary was "greatly troubled" by the appearance of the angel. Many are in a similar spot - "greatly troubled" by all things spiritual. What can help them take a step forward?

“GREATLY TROUBLED”: Spiritual stuff can be scary. - Luke 1:29. - An angel shows up to speak to Mary. On the one hand, the angel is light and not wielding a sword, so there is a sense in which he shouldn’t be scary. But, of course, we don’t see angelic beings very often and I’m sure his presence ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

Limiting What God Can Do Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary expresses disbelief that she, a virgin, could fulfill the angel's prediction of a baby. We too often limit what we believe God is capable of.

HE CAN'T DO THAT: We limit in our minds what we believe God can do. - Luke 1:34. - There is no doubt that the angel’s message about the virgin birth is a lot to take in. Because of that, it’s easy for us to be sympathetic toward Mary. We would no doubt have also struggled with this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-34

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

Where Do I Find Hope When I’m Struggling? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2018

Encouragement for when we are in the midst of struggles.

Where Do I Find Hope When I’m Struggling? 1. Hardships are not unusual. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-9a. - There can be resentment in our relationship with God when hard times come. “Doesn’t God love me?” “Why is God allowing this?” It can lead us to question God. - This is particularly true if we’ve ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Was The Early Church The "Golden Age"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 31, 2018

Christians today tend to romanticize the early church as a Golden Age when passages like this one present a picture of a church with plenty of struggles. What does that mean for how we should view the church today?

- Read 2 Corinthians 1:12-17 and 2:1-10. An Early Church Story: - What we are looking at today is just one story from the early church. 1. There was serious sin in the church. - 2 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. - We know this from 1 Corinthians 5 and Paul’s extensive instructions to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:12-17, 2 Corinthians 2:1-10

Denomination: Baptist