Sermons on jim croce: showing 2,716-2,730 of 6,445

Why Are John’s Disciples So Worried About Jesus’ Disciples Fasting?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 2, 2021

The question from John's disciples about fasting reveals a serious disconnect to what Jesus is trying to accomplish.

WHY DON'T THEY FAST? The question from John’s disciples shows that they missed the point that Jesus just made. - Matthew 9:13-14. - In v. 14, John’s disciples come and ask about why Jesus’ disciples aren’t fasting. In other gospels, it gives us more information that the Pharisees were in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14

Denomination: Baptist

Could Mary Have Been Stoned For Adultery?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 3, 2021

The title question leads us into a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice that Joseph made in standing with Mary.

A QUESTION: Could Mary have been stoned for adultery? - Matthew 1:18-19. - This is a question that has bugged me for a while. If Mary is presumed to be an adulteress, could she have been stoned? WERE THEY MARRIED? Betrothal was more like marriage than engagement. - Matthew 1:18-19. - Unlike ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

How Simeon Had Peace At His Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 17, 2021

This sermon focuses on the interesting comment that Simeon makes that, having seen the Messiah, he is now ready to die in peace. What would it take for us to die in peace?

READY TO GO? What would make you say, “Now I can die in peace”? - I ask this question in the half-joking way that we usually use this phrase. Someone meets their sports hero and then says, “Now I can die in peace.” Some teen girls go see Shawn Mendes in concert and leave saying, “Now I can die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be A Friend Of Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 27, 2021

This passage mentions multiple times that we are Jesus' friends. What does that mean exactly?

- “Refrigerator rights.” The idea that you become good enough friends that when you’re at their house you don’t have to ask to get something out of the refrigerator. THE PROOFS OF THE FRIENDSHIP: 1. His proof of friendship is His sacrifice. - John 15:13. 2. Our proof of friendship is our ...read more

Scripture: John 15:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

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

Children Of Light Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 16, 2021

May God help us to see the darkness of lust for the deadly sin it is, and to reclaim our innocence as the children of light, in all goodness, righteousness and truth.

Ephesians 5:1-12 A national conference of church youth leaders was held at a hotel in the Midwest several years ago. At first the hotel manager was impressed by the friendly Christian witness of his guests, and he interacted very openly with the conference organizers as they shared their faith ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-12

What’s The Big Deal With Cursing?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 18, 2021

An overview of some of the ways we curse and what the core reason is for doing that.

WHAT'S THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM WITH CURSING? 1. WHEN CURSE WORDS ARE PEPPERED THROUGHOUT OUR WORDS: a. You’re not convincing with your intelligence or genuineness, so you’re trying to convince with shock value. - Ephesians 4:29. - Often in using curse words you’re acknowledging that you ...read more

Scripture: James 3:9-12, Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:19-20, Matthew 6:9, Exodus 20:7, Matthew 5:33-37  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Why Are Christians Hated By The World? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2021

Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated by the world. Why? And how do we respond?

WHAT DOES THE WORLD THINK OF JESUS? It hates Him. - John 15:18, 21, 22, 23, 24. 1. It’s easy to think of Jesus as a Mr. Rogers’ kind of guy and not think about the fact that they killed Him. He was not eminently likeable. - He called His enemies “vipers” and the “blind leading the blind.” - ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Being A Part Of God’s Story Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 28, 2023

The dreams of Joseph lay out the larger vision of what God will fulfill in His life. What can we learn from it about the way God works?

- Sermon series: “Character Amid Crisis.” - Joseph is not necessary the most important of the OT characters. That would probably go to Abraham or Moses or David. But I think Joseph stands as the greatest saint of the OT in his behavior. He doesn’t have the major lapses in his behavior like most of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

"When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down” Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 4, 2023

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Baptist

"five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2023

Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?

Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Downplayed The Miracles Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 9, 2020

Jesus does back-to-back miracles: the mass feeding and then walking on water. But He downplays both miracles. Why would He do that?

WHAT JESUS WALKING ON WATER ACCOMPLISHED: Seeing this miracle strengthened the disciples’ faith in Jesus. - John 6:16-21. - Matthew 14:28-33. - The disciples have just seen Jesus multiply the loaves. It is an incredible miracle that they got to see happen up close. - That evening, Jesus sends ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-29

Denomination: Baptist

Why They Turned Down The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 15, 2020

This section is lengthy and confusing. There is a lot going on. This message unpacks it by focusing on five of the key reasons the crowd rejects Jesus here.

- A couple things up front. - First, there is a lot in this passage, yet the passage needs to be taken together. A lot of ideas are brought out, but it’s all a cohesive whole. So we are going to cover a lot of ground this evening. - Second, there is so much in this passage that there are ...read more

Scripture: John 6:30-71

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Listen

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 21, 2020

Modern society is very functionally oriented, and that tendency has carried over into the way we pray. The Kingdom of God, however, is far more relational, and we would do well to learn that way of being in God’s presence.

Listening Prayer Luke 1:5-23, 76-79 [Read Luke 1:5-23] It was the middle of the morning at the Temple in Jerusalem. A group of about fifty priests were gathered to cast lots to determine who would have the honor of entering into the Most Holy Place to offer incense at the altar. The burning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-23