Sermons on Jim Croce:

Our Spiritual Family

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 25, 2023

Jesus created the Church as the spiritual family we all need on our faith journey. And just as strong families are the building blocks of a healthy society, our spiritual families are equally foundational to living a richer life in the Kingdom of God.

(Read text.) A true story: a missionary was under house arrest in China when soldiers came one day and said, “You can return to America.” As he and his wife were celebrating, the soldiers added, “But you can only take 200 pounds with you.” They had lived there for several years with their two ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

The Power Of A Father’s Blessing Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 31, 2023

The final chapter of Jacob's life provides a striking example of the power of a father's blessing. What can we learn that's can be applied to our role as fathers (and mothers).

AT THE END: As Jacob comes to the end of his life, he blesses his children. - Genesis 48:1-49:28. - These two chapters share with us the final acts of Jacob. He has lived a long life and he knows he’s at the end (48:1-2; 49:29, 33). - The words that Jacob speaks are words of blessing (49:28). - ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 48:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

On Leaving A Legacy Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2023

The end of Joseph's life provides an opportunity to think about the legacy he left . . . and the legacy we will leave.

- Exodus 1:8 is a pretty famous verse. For good reason too, it provides a nice summary of our situation as we move into the story of Exodus and the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt: a. Israel is in Egypt. b. They are there because of Joseph. c. When Israel got there, they were highly ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

That You May Know With Certainty Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 9, 2023

Luke opens his gospel with five reasons why we can trust what he's going to share with us.

A Word of Caution: There are lots of opinions about Jesus. - Luke 1:1 (“Many have undertaken”). What’s Worth Holding Onto: 1. The “things” that were prophesied. - Luke 1:1 (“been fulfilled among us”). 2. The “things” that were seen by eyewitnesses. - Luke 1:2. 3. The “things” that stand ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Consequences Of Repentance Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 13, 2023

John the Baptist's words about repentance draw a strong conviction from his hearers. They ask for practical instruction on how to move forward. What does John tell them?

THE CONSEQUENCES OF REPENTANCE: It’s striking that John’s answers are very practical. - Luke 3:10-14. - vv. 10, 12, 14 – Requests for practical answers. - The previous passage (and last week’s sermon) focused on the nature of repentance. Now these that were convicted by the message - Now we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

Who John The Baptist Wasn’t Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 19, 2023

John the Baptist confesses his limitations and exalts Christ. What does he have to tell us?

WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST WASN'T: John knew he wasn’t the Christ. - Luke 3:15-16a, 18. 1. Verse 15 – Declaration that he wasn’t the Christ. - This was not a big deal for John, I don’t think, but it would be for most of us. - We have an inclination to take more credit than we should. We have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:15-20

Denomination: Baptist

Four Confirmations About Jesus At The Start Of His Ministry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 20, 2023

This passage establishes the beginning of Jesus' ministry. What does it tell us about who He is and what His ministry will be?

ONE ENTERS, ONE EXITS: Jesus’ ministry starts as John the Baptist concludes. - Luke 3:19-20. - Our primary subject this evening is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and some of the signs we are given at this start to give us confidence in Him. - We noted last week at the end of the sermon that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:21-38

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph-The Waiting Room Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 20, 2017

The wait for God is worth it.

Title: Joseph-The Waiting Room Date: 11/26/17 Place: BLCC Text: Genesis 39-41 CT: The wait for God is worth it. Dan McConchie, vice president of government affairs at Americans United for Life, was riding his motorcycle through a suburban intersection when a car came into his lane and pushed ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Does God Allow These Struggles?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2017

A look at the Christmas passage - specifically, the struggle of Mary and Joseph having the baby in Bethlehem far from home. A look at four ways God uses our struggles in our lives.

Mary And Joseph’s Road Trip: “Why does God allow these struggles in my life?” - Luke 2:3-6. - The trip to Bethlehem under such difficult circumstances had to be a struggle. Did they have questions? I know I would have. “God, why are You allowing this?” “God, have You forgotten us?” “God, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Joseph-Revenge Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 29, 2017

Leave vengeance to God.

Title: Joseph-Revenge Place: BLCC Date: 12/3/17 Text: Romans 12.17-19 CT: Leave vengeance to God. [Screen 1] Matt Woodley told this story. My friend Steve warned me that he didn't believe in forgiveness. "God could never forgive me," he said. "Okay, maybe he could forgive 70 percent of my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:17-19

Denomination: Christian Church

What Am I Supposed To Do With My Unanswered Questions?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 1, 2017

This message focuses on Luke 2:6-7 and the unanswered questions that Mary and Joseph must have had as they end up in with no decent place to stay when the baby comes. How could God be with them and she have to put the baby in a manger?

SOME OF MARY AND JOSEPH'S QUESTIONS: “God, why have the birth so far from home?” “God, why didn’t You provide a place for us to stay?” “God, how can this be the place for the miracle child to be born?” - Luke 2:6-7. - I’m sure when the angel visited Mary and told her that she’d be carrying this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Eve Sermon: "Am I 'strong In Spirit'?"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 5, 2017

A look at Luke 1:80 where it says that John the Baptist "become strong in spirit." This is the verse before the famous Christmas story (Luke 2:1-7). The sermon encourages people to "train themselves in godliness" and become more like Christ.

- Story from Preaching Today of the person pointlessly trying to visit every Starbucks in America. - “Accomplishing” something that really doesn’t amount to much. - What we accomplish with our lives is what v. 80 got me to thinking about. - This verse comes just before that famous Christmas ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did The Angels Announce The Birth To Shepherds?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 6, 2017

A message about the choice to proclaim the news of Christ's birth to the lowly shepherds. The sermon looks at how the shepherds were a foreshadowing of who the ministry of Jesus would focus on.

OF COURSE IT WAS SHEPHERDS: We act like this was an inevitable part of the story, but it wasn’t. - Luke 2:8-12. - The Christmas story is so familiar that we presume that each part had to happen that way. “Of course the shepherds heard from the angels. It had to be like that.” Only it didn’t. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

Grace Upon Grace

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Dec 7, 2017

God's grace covers us all.

Sunday Night: Grace Upon Grace Place: BLCC Date: 12/10/17 Text: John 1.6-18 CT: God’s grace covers us all. In the last days of the Civil War, the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, fell to the Union army. Abraham Lincoln insisted on visiting the city. Even though no one knew he was ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Christian Church

Joseph-Fullness Of Time Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Dec 7, 2017

We must trust God with our life. This sermon used to support our church moving forward into a new building due to God given growth.

Title: Joseph-Fullness of Time Place: BLCC Date: 12/10/17 Text: Galatians 4.4 CT: We must trust God with our life. [Screen 1] FAS: Here is a story about a married woman who decided to go on her own private vacation to Europe. She went from the Midwest to London and then she was planning to go ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church