Sermons on Jim Croce:

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

The Partnership That Brings Spiritual Power Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 27, 2019

Using Mary and the birth of Christ, this sermon explores the partnership of our willingness and the Holy Spirit's power to bring about amazing results.

SEEING THE POWER OF GOD: God’s vision for Mary involves a combination of her willingness and the Holy Spirit’s power. - Luke 1:35. - In this situation, it means that Mary’s humble willingness to trust and serve team up with God’s power. The result is the miraculous birth of the Savior. - In the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: Baptist

Ignoring Those On The Edges Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 14, 2020

An overview of how central it is to our Christian faith to care for those on the edges of society.

LOOKING OUT FOR #1: Sometimes we let an “I got mine!” attitude come into our spiritual lives. - Our society in general has a lot of the “I got mine!” mentality. Everyone looking out for themselves. - That can easily creep over into a spiritual attitude that is simply focused on “me and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Easy Way To Love Your Neighbor Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 14, 2020

The story of the Samaritan and his compassion is instructive for us to consider how we treat our neighbors.

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR: Loving your neighbor is not difficult as long as you get to define “neighbor.” - Luke 10:29. - We often define “neighbor” as those we like and who like us back. People like us who we are comfortable around. - Further, we define “love” cheaply: liking a post, offering a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is My "Great Joy"?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 15, 2017

Starting from the angels promise of "good news of great joy," this sermon asks why Christians often don't see "great joy" in their lives.

WHERE IS IT? The angel promised that this was good news of great joy. - Luke 2:10. - This passage has been repeated frequently enough during Christmastime that sometimes lose sight of its truth and just treat it as a cliché. The angel meant what he said: this was a message of good news of great ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Bent

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Dec 15, 2017

God loves in the manger, on the cross He saves you.

Title: Bent Date: 12/17/17 Place: BLCC Text: Psalm 139. 13-14 CT: In the manger God loves you, through the cross He saves you. [Screen 1] While working as a journalist for the Chicago Tribune, Lee Strobel was assigned to report on the struggles of an impoverished, inner-city family during the ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Who Does Jesus Say I Am?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 19, 2017

This sermon looks at the three titles about the newborn baby shared in Luke 2:11. It then unpacks what that title means and what it tells me about who I am and how I should live my life.

- In the midst of this Christmas proclamation from the angel, verse 11 has an amazing amount of information about this newborn child. Specifically, it shares three titles with us that each point us to a different aspect of who this child is. - As we unpack these titles, each gives us insight into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Looking For God In The Wrong Places

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 20, 2017

The sermon focuses on the unimpressive sign the angels point to: a baby in a manger. Not much that's flashy about that. What are the ways that God comes into our lives that don't initially look impressive but are important and meaningful.

That’s All You’ve Got? Taken at face value, the angel’s sign is pretty unimpressive. - Luke 2:12. - Luke 4:17-21; Luke 4:41; Luke 5:14; Luke 13:18-21; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30. - We get entranced by the Christmas story and the swaddling clothes and manger and don’t see it for what it is. In fact, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Bethlehem’s Promise

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jan 1, 2018

Jesus entered the world not to demand our allegiance but to display his affection.

Title: Bethlehem’s Promise Date: 12/24/17 Place: BLCC Text: Philippians 2.5-11 CT: Jesus entered the world not to demand our allegiance but to display his affection. [Screen 1] FAS: In his book Hidden in Plain Sight: The Secret of More, author and pastor Mark Buchanan illustrates God's love through ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Grace Is Greater Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jan 4, 2018

We have to experience God’s grace to understand it.

Title: Grace Is Greater Place: BLCC Date: 1/7/18 Text: Hebrews 12.15 CT: We have to experience God’s grace to understand it. [Screen 1] FAS: I am a firm believer in following Jesus. I could preach about following Jesus every week and be correct in what I need to do. Truth is known, I do preach ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Three Words That Reveal God’s Intentions

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 9, 2018

A Christmas sermon focusing on the angels' proclamation: "on earth peace." The message looks at four mistakes that those three words help us avoid.

WHAT'S HE UP TO? It’s helpful to know someone’s intentions. - Luke 2:14. - Three words that reveal God’s intentions: “on earth peace.” - As the angels share the message the Lord gave them to tell the shepherds, we learn about God’s intentions. This child who has been born in Bethlehem has come, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Greater Than Regret Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jan 9, 2018

Grace has the power to redeem regret

Title: Grace Greater Than Regret Place: BLCC Date: 1/14/18 Text: Matthew 26.31-35; Luke 22.61-62 CT: Grace has the power to redeem regret. Play video FAS: Your biggest regret in life? If it's anything like these random New Yorkers, it has one very important word in it. Students from Strayer ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-31

Denomination: Christian Church

Split

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jan 11, 2018

We are to live as if it all belongs to God because it does!

Title: Split Place: BLCC Date: 8/20/17 Text: Daniel 2 CT: We are to live as it all belongs to God. [Screen 1] FAS: Good morning. How are you all doing this morning? Everybody back in school and getting back into the routine. I pray everybody is settling in to a great new year. Had this buddy ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Giving God The Highest Glory

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 12, 2018

The angels proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest." This sermon looks at four ways that our lives can bring glory to God.

The Angels’ Praise: God deserves the highest praise. - Luke 2:14 – “Glory to God in the highest.” How Can Our Little Lives Bring Glory To Our Big God? 1. Make big requests when you pray – and then give God the credit when it happens. - John 14:13. 2. Live a life that bears fruit for God – ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist