Sermons on Jim Croce:

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

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

Gaining More Confidence To Claim God’s Promises Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 12, 2018

If Paul here says that all God's promises are "yes" in Jesus, how can I have more confidence to claim those promises?

“‘Yes’ In Christ”: We are missing out on a great verse to boost our confidence in answered prayer. - 2 Corinthians 1:20. - This is such a great verse and yet it’s one that doesn’t get the attention it deserves. This is one that is worth regularly quoting in prayer. It’s just a vibrant ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:18-20

Denomination: Baptist

Three Ways God Helps Us Stand Firm Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 28, 2018

This passage teaches that God is the one who ultimately allows us to stand firm. Paul shares three ways that God does that.

An Encouraging Truth For Weak Moments: Standing firm is ultimately not a matter of our strength; God makes us stand firm. - 2 Corinthians 1:21. - Certainly it needs to be said that we need to do our part in standing firm. We are instructed at various points in the New Testament to stand firm. A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

Encouragement When Sharing The Gospel Goes Poorly Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 9, 2018

Some hopeful words for those struggling with the rejection that sometimes happens when we witness for Christ.

AN INEVITABLE CHALLENGE: Ministry is uncertain. - 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. - We don’t know all the details, but these verses indicate some good and some bad. A HOPEFUL TRUTH: The Kingdom is always advancing. - 2 Corinthians 2:14a – “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Proof Of Effective Ministry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 9, 2018

Paul declares that the proof of his ministry is the changed lives of the Corinthians. Do we focus on that today?

THE GOAL OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY: The goal is not empire building, but changed lives. - 2 Corinthians 3:1-3. - v. 1 – they were the letters of recommendation. - v. 2 – “You yourselves are our letter . . .” - v. 3 – “. . . you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry . . . ” - v. 3 – ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

How Is The New Covenant Better Than The Old? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 19, 2018

In what ways is the new covenant better than what Moses shared?

What Should We Do? Embrace the better new. - Sometimes Christians seem to pine for the Old Testament way of doing things. A couple examples: a. Getting to see God show up physically with smoke and lightning fireworks. b. Having a list of rules to follow. - A larger problem than that, though, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

When You Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 26, 2018

Encouragement when we're tempted to hide our sin or pretend that we didn't sin.

- In this sermon, I’m going to focus on the transition statements within this passage. I want to do that because in this particular passage those words give us some clues to the point that Paul is making. They each point to a significant idea within this passage. When You Feel Like You’re Not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Community-Church Responsibility

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Feb 9, 2017

The church is responsible for the physical and spiritual needs of its people

Title: Community-Church Responsibility Place: BLCC Date: 2/19/17 Text: Genesis 4.9; 1 Corinthians 5 CT: The church is responsible for the physical and spiritual needs of its people. [Screen 1] FAS: One of the most famous stories in baseball history is the story of Jackie Robinson. He was the first ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Community-Koinonia Church

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Feb 17, 2017

Our fellowship with Christ and our fellowship with one another is what make the church.

Title: Community-Koinonia Church (COIN-O-NIA) Place: BLCC Date: 2/26/17 Text: Acts 2.42-47;Acts 4.32-35; Acts 5.1-11 CT: Our fellowship with Christ and our fellowship with one another is what make the church. [Screen 1] Pachomius was an Egyptian soldier won to Christ by the kindness of ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church