Sermons on Jim Croce:

A Legacy Of Love Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jul 31, 2021

As Christians, we have the awesome responsibility, and the sacred privilege, to have our lives count for the greater glory of God.

A Legacy of Love Philippians 3:7-16 The mission to land a man on the moon began by President Kennedy sharing a vision in his inaugural address for achieving that ambitious objective by the end of the decade. In doing so, he stated that “we choose to do these things not because they are easy, but ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-16

But It’s Only Words

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 10, 2021

We often dismiss our words because actions are what really matter. This sermon looks at some of the warnings the Scripture gives us about the dangers of our words.

BUT IT'S ONLY WORDS: Often we think of actions as being serious but words as being insignificant. TAKING OUR WORDS SERIOUSLY: 1. Your words reveal who you are. - Matthew 12:34-35. - We deny this: “I said it but that’s not who I am.” Like when we lie or burst out in anger. 2. Your words ...read more

Scripture: James 3:2-6, James 1:26, Matthew 12:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are There Unfaithful Religious Leaders? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 9, 2020

What can we learn from the unfaithful religious leaders and Paul's faithful pastoral example?

WERE THERE BAD RELIGIOUS LEADERS BACK THEN? There have always been unfaithful religious leaders. - 2 Corinthians 11:20. - While we might think that our own time is uniquely bad, there have always been unfaithful religious leaders. - Five things v. 20 points out: a. Enslaves you. - Galatians ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

An Ode To The Messed-Up Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 11, 2020

This passage details the numerous efforts the Paul made to get the Corinthians back on track and the harsh reality that some churches are just a mess.

- Maybe start with the story of Pastor Mark and church “J.” THE SITUATION FOR THIS MESSED-UP CHURCH: 1. Paul handled his ministry there with integrity. - 2 Corinthians 12:11-12, 17-19. 2. Paul sacrificed for them. - 2 Corinthians 12:13, 14b, 15-16. 3. This was not the first time he’d tried ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Denomination: Baptist

Mistaking God’s Patience For Weakness Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 16, 2020

The Corinthians continued to sin despite Paul's repeated warnings. How had they taken his patience for weakness?

A THIRD TRY: Paul had been patient with the sinful Corinthians. - 2 Corinthians 13:1-2a. - Paul tells the Corinthians that he is planning to make a third visit to them. This has been necessitated by the ongoing questionable behavior of the church there. - Paul then quotes Deuteronomy about two ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Looking At Your Own Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 25, 2020

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to examine their own faith. What does that look like?

WHO'S IN? There are a lot of questionable boundary markers for the Christian faith. - If you read the obituary page, you will discover some marvelous realities. Among them: a. Upwards of 90% of people are going to heaven. b. People are members of church despite the fact that they haven’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Personal Spiritual Growth Connect To The Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2020

Paul closes out his second letter to the Corinthians with a plea from his heart for their spiritual growth. Why do we today so seldom see that at a practical level in our churches?

- I should note as we begin that v. 8 is a difficult verse. Its meaning is not clear. It’s not essential to grasp that verse in order to be able to understand the larger point that Paul is making, so we’re just going to lay it aside this evening. There’s not any benefit tonight in spending a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Reading The Bible Literally

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 7, 2020

Paul's instruction that the Corinthians were to "greet one another with a holy kiss" provides a nice open door for discussing whether we are to take the Bible literally. This message looks at four considerations that we need to keep in mind to read the Bible correctly.

- I have four questions for you as we begin. Let me hear an “Amen” if you agree with what I say: a. The Bible is the Word of God. b. We believe in the Bible. c. The Bible is literally true. d. When I came into church, I greeted everyone with a holy kiss. - Where were all the cries of “Amen” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem Of Weeds

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 14, 2020

This parable may very well be one of the most important teachings for the church to hear in helping us to understand the nature of our witness for good in the world.

The Problem of Weeds Read Matthew 13:24-30 Everyone who has ever farmed or gardened, or taken care of a lawn, is only too familiar with the vexing reality of weeds. Weeds are essentially a mundane example of the fall of Creation and the presence of sin in the world. The dictionary defines them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

What Jesus Brings Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2020

This passage early in John gives us important answers to what John did, who Jesus is, and what Jesus brings us.

WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST IS: He is the witness. - John 1:6, 7, 8, 15. a. He was sent from God. - v. 6. b. He was a witness to the light. - v. 7. c. He was not the light. - v. 8. d. He declared Jesus was God Incarnate. - v. 15. WHO JESUS IS: He is God. - John 1:9, 10, 11, 14, 18. a. He ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid Seeing God Move In Your Life Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2020

Jesus' healing on an invalid suffering for 38 years provides an interesting example of ways that we sometimes miss out on what God is willing to do in our lives.

HOW TO AVOID SEEING GOD MOVE IN YOUR LIFE: 1. CONSIDER IT TOO LATE. - John 5:5. - Life has a way of beating us down. Especially when we are continually pummeled over many years. - This invalid had been there for nearly four decades. It’s hard not the lose your hope by that point. - Many of ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Why Were The Religious Leaders So Blind About Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 11, 2021

This passage speaks to the ignorant confidence that the religious leaders possessed. How do we avoid their mistake?

WHAT'S THE HEART OF THIS PASSAGE? The religious leaders had all that knowledge and yet they didn’t know God. - John 7:28d – “You do not know Him” - The religious leaders, of course, thought they were the epitome of knowledge and understanding. They loved the status they had among the people. ...read more

Scripture: John 7:25-36

Denomination: Baptist

Kindred Spirits

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jan 13, 2021

God has designed the created order with the foundational communities of the family and church. They reflect his gracious providential care, especially through the blessings of love, grace and a sense of belonging.

Matthew 12:46-50 [Read text] The cover photo from the Mother’s Day issue of a Christian magazine showed a neatly groomed and well dressed little brother and sister serving their mother an artistically arranged breakfast in bed on a silver platter. In a subsequent letter to the editor, a mother ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

What Is Having The Spirit Supposed To Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 15, 2021

Jesus cries out on the last day of the Feast. This is a big message and He gives us insight into what will happen when He is glorified: streams of living water flowing from His believers through the Spirit. But, sadly, we today are not experiencing that the way that we should.

INTRO: - This is a climactic moment. We’ve been talking the last few weeks about this extended scene that happens at the Feast of Tabernacles. There have been debates and discussions. There have been misunderstandings and confusion. Now we come to a moment when Jesus has something to shout ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-39

Denomination: Baptist

What Does The Bible Say About The Christian’s Relationship With The Government?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 25, 2021

What do Paul and Peter have to say about the Christian and government? Is the church allowed to pursue the violent overthrow of secular governments? What should be our focus if it's not the accumulation of earthly power?

- We are going to dig into a subject this morning that is challenging. We are going to be talking about church and state. It’s one we don’t talk about particularly often. - As we start, I want to acknowledge up front that these passages are difficult. I want to say that I don’t like everything ...read more

Scripture: Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17

Denomination: Baptist