Sermons on jim croce: showing 2,641-2,655 of 6,445

Why Are We So Stingy? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 18, 2018

Jesus calls us to "freely give," yet many of us aren't free with our generosity. This sermon looks at the problem and steps forward.

A DIFFICULT QUESTION: Are we stingy? - We don’t like to think of ourselves as being stingy. It’s an ugly word. It’s a small word. But I think a case can be made that many of us are stingier than we’d like to admit. Consider some numbers. - Four stats: a. American Christians today give a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Bigger Than Money Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 23, 2018

This message focuses on stepping out of the American Dream's pursuit of escalating standards of living. Instead we are to hold our money lightly and "freely receive, freely give."

- In some ways this is the second part of last week’s sermon. Last week we looked at this passage in Matthew 10:8 about freely receiving and freely giving. We talked about living life with an open hand and whether we are living stingy lives. - I want to return to that same passage this morning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Response To A Church Fight Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 15, 2019

This challenging passage gives us insight into Paul's handling of contention.

- Let me acknowledge up front that this can be a challenging passage. It’s not easily clear how all the pieces go together. As we wander through these six verses, hopefully we can bring them together in a meaningful way. THE STARTING POINT OF THE CHURCH FIGHT: Paul didn’t measure up to their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Five Ways To Stand In The Way Of Kingdom Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2019

Paul tells us where the false teachers were off-track. These aren't theological matters - so what are they doing that Paul rebukes?

- As we begin, let me give a little context to the situation Paul is addressing. Paul has been to Corinth but during his absence there were some false teachers who came in and began to move the Corinthian church in another direction. - This is an extension of the earlier part of this chapter, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Boast In The Lord Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 29, 2019

Paul instructs the Corinthians to "boast in the Lord." This sermon shares the most important truth toward doing that better.

A GOOD BOAST: How do I learn to boast in the Lord? - 2 Corinthians 10:17. - We are given the command here to boast in the Lord. That’s not necessarily something that we’re particularly good at. - How do we do better at it? I want to look at a key truth that will help us to better boast in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 4, 2019

This sermon examines three key truths in avoiding false teachers.

THE FIGHT: The purity of the message and the church matter. - 2 Corinthians 11:1-2. a. The purity of the message matters. - This passage as a whole brings out the importance of believing the truth. It matters that the message is true. - Many today say that it doesn’t matter when you believe as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Five Insights The ‘bride Of Christ’ Analogy Gives

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2019

The "bride of Christ" analogy is one that can be difficult. Looking at several of the New Testament passages referencing that, this sermon unpacks five ideas about the church being the "bride of Christ."

- Beautiful but opaque analogy of the church as the bride of Christ. What does that mean? - That nature and frequency of analogies in the Bible. - The Bible often uses similar analogies as word pictures of who we are. A few examples: a. The branch. - In John 15 Jesus refers to Himself as the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That Jesus "takes Away The Sin Of The World"?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 18, 2020

A look into the idea from the Day of Atonement of the "scapegoat." Jesus doesn't just forgive our sin - He removes our sin, like a goat being taken away into the desert.

JOHN'S PROCLAMATION: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. - John 1:29. - This is an Easter truth that we love to proclaim – and rightfully so! - Jesus takes away the sin of the world. - Tell a story that emphasizes only the forgiveness part, not the removal part. - But what if we don’t ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29

Denomination: Baptist

When Someone Betrays Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 23, 2020

A look at the disciples' response to Jesus' shocking declaration that one of them would betray Him. How do we handle things today when someone betrays the cause of Christ?

WHEN SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO WALKS AWAY FROM CHRIST: There are a lot of casualties along the road. - Luke 20:23. - It’s obviously a tragedy to watch someone walk away from Christ or to betray Christ. What makes that even more of a tragedy is the ripple effect. - It might be someone who gives up ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:20-23

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Great In Jesus’ Kingdom Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 24, 2020

Jesus calls us to be servant rather than elevating themselves. What exactly should we do if we do want to be great?

IS IT WRONG TO WANT TO BE "GREAT"? Jesus doesn’t say “don’t be great” but instead tells them how to be great. - Luke 22:24-27. - Matthew 5:19; Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43. - It could have been when the disciples argued over being great that Jesus replied, “No. You will never be great. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

When Church Seems Like A Fly-By-Night Operation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 27, 2020

It's easy to look at your local church and be underwhelmed by what you see. Jesus' words here point us toward a higher vision of the Kingdom that He is inaugurating.

AMATEUR HOUR: Sometimes the church can seem like a fly-by-night operation. - We all have stories of churches behaving poorly. We all have stories of churches who were laughably bad at what they were doing. - I remember as a young Christian being preached at by my pastor that we should bring our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’ Response To Our False Confidence, Struggle, And Failure Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 31, 2020

Jesus predicts Peter's denial. These verses give us three harsh realities and three promising truths.

- This section comes right after a couple verses about being conferred a kingdom and the ultimate victory that kingdom will experience. In the meantime, though, there are the challenges of real life. Three Harsh Realities in this Passage: 1. The reality of false confidence. - Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Resistance To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus tells His followers that He is being numbered among the transgressors. What does that mean for us today as we try to follow Him?

WHAT I DON'T KNOW: What exactly is going on with the swords here? - Luke 22:36, 38. - The references to swords garner the most attention from most readers. They are intriguing statements that are not easily understood. - I wish I could tell you that I have an incisive, succinct explanation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Unrepentant Sin Of The World Versus Unrepentant Sin Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 14, 2020

Does God treat the unrepentant sin of the church differently than the unrepentant sin of the world?

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE: Amos opens with God’s wrath for everyone. - Amos 1:1-2:16. - Maybe just focus on the nations’ part under this point. - What does the “three sins, even four” mean? - God is not saying, “I would stop if you would do three or four sins,” although it kind of sounds like ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is God’s Will An Inscrutable Mystery? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 21, 2020

Many complain that God's will is impossible to discern. God proclaims here, though, that He is regularly and clearly speaking through His prophets.

KEEPING US IN THE DARK? Is God’s will an inscrutable mystery? - Amos 3:3-7. - It is a common complaint that God’s will is an inscrutable mystery? Who can discern that hand of God? Who can understand the mind of the Lord? - And so many presume that because it is an impossibility to understand ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist