Sermons on jim croce: showing 2,806-2,820 of 6,446

Is This Vision From God?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 22, 2020

When is a vision actually from God?

A DIVINE VISION? Not every spiritual vision is from God. - People sometimes get overly impressed by spiritual visions. People sometimes uncritically accept any claim of a spiritual vision without considering whether it’s true or not. - We want to discuss spiritual vision in this message and ...read more

Scripture: Job 4:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is In The Blood

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jul 31, 2020

There could never be a more personal, more sacrificial or more sacred expression of God’s saving love than the shed blood of Jesus.

“Life is in the Blood” Hebrews 9:11-15, 19-28 Two missionary doctors working in India, both surgeons, were frustrated by the unwillingness of most Indians to donate blood. To the Indians, blood was life, and they couldn’t get past the idea of sacrificing any of their precious life-force. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-28

Is This The End? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 5, 2020

This sermon begins the "Is This the End?" sermon series by looking at three of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes to the end times.

- About fifteen years ago, a giant, killer hurricane was heading out of the Atlantic heading for New Orleans. This caused enormous fear, because New Orleans was judged to not be ready for a direct hit from a hurricane. There were mandatory evacuations of seven parishes as well as voluntary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

An Arminian Interprets Romans 9

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 21, 2021

This passage is heavy in election, predestination, and foreknowledge. How does someone who is not a Calvinist interpret it?

Opening Statement of the Inherent Limitations - In beginning to interpret this chapter, it’s important to start with the obvious truth: the questions that this passage raises are vexing issues. Election, predestination, and foreknowledge are the perplexing problems that haunt Romans 9. - A quick ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of The Harvest

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 12, 2021

The good seeds we plant, through our thoughts and actions and habits, will bear fruit through the faithful blessing of God. He’s more than ready to do his part, if we’ll only do ours. That’s “the law of the harvest."

Retired Admiral William McCraven was a Navy SEAL for 36 years, last serving as commander of US Special Operations. He describes the SEAL version of basic training, and some of the life lessons it taught him, in a book he’s written called “Make Your Bed.” Here’s what he says about that simple ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

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

Treasure In Heaven Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 26, 2021

Greed and generosity are opposing spiritual forces. Selfishness and greed have the effect of shriveling our souls by wasting our potential for love, whereas generosity becomes the source of God’s richest blessing and joy.

Luke 12:13-21 In the days of the Wild West there was an armed bank robbery in California involving a large sum of money. The bank hired a bounty hunter to track down the thief, and when the search led to Mexico he realized he’d need to hire an interpreter. One was found, and the bounty hunter ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Sold Out To Jesus Or A Sell-Out To Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 28, 2021

A stark contrast between Mary and Judas sets the stage for the beginning of the of Jesus' ministry.

THE END IS NIGH: Amid many unanswered questions, everything in this passage makes it clear that Jesus will be gone soon. - John 12:1-11. - Some of the unanswered questions: a. Why anoint six days early? b. Why did no one notice that Judas was stealing? c. How ridiculous is it to think that ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

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

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

Simeon’s Answer To "hope So" Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 23, 2021

Simeon says, "My eyes have seen your salvation." Could that be true today too?

A COMMON ANSWER ABOUT BEING SAVED: “I hope so.” - Often when you ask someone if they are going to heaven, they will answer, “I hope so.” - Or you might ask someone if they’re saved and they’ll reply, “I think so.” - [Maybe share those two as more developed stories.] - Maybe you’re in that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-30

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