Sermons on Jim Croce:

How Does God Get Our Attention? Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Aug 17, 2001

When unfaithfulness leaves us, our churches, and even our nation in a state of decay, God comes in like a surgeon to restore us. How will we respond?

How Does God Get Our Attention? Hosea 5:1-6:3 Pastor Jim Luthy For several reasons, I haven’t spoken much about my years as a Fingerprint Technician with the Washington State Patrol. I’ve got stories, but I don’t tell them very often. Most of them have to do with crime scenes more than the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Wisdom Does The Bible Give Us On Human Cloning?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 26, 2001

An examination of 5 key Biblical principles to consider on the issues of human cloning and genetic engineering.

The Bible obviously doesn’t use the words “human cloning,” but that should not lead us to believe that our Father has left us in the dark on this issue. This morning I want to talk about 5 important Biblical principles that we as Christians need to keep in mind as this debate on ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 11:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

God's Three Beacons

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 1, 2001

God uses His word, the Holy Spirit, and circumstances to direct us.

Bob Munford tells of a certain Italian harbor that can be reached only by sailing up a narrow channel between dangerous rocks and shoals. Over the years, many ships have wrecked, and navigation is hazardous. To guide the ships safely into port, three lights have been mounted in the harbor on three ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:1-16

Denomination: Church Of God

The Seasons Of Deserts

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 1, 2001

Sometimes desert experiences are for three different reasons.

Introduction A. Feel the need to offer a different sermon today. To express a word of comfort and support today. B. (If possible, have Crystal Lewis’ song, “Seasons Change” played over sound system.) Why this sermon? A. Fall is a time of change – we often notice the passing of time in the fall. ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1, Matthew 4:1

Denomination: Church Of God

The Face Of Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 1, 2001

Abraham illustrates Paul’s belief in salvation by faith.

Introduction: Did you have any childhood heroes? Who were they? What was it about them that made them a hero to you? One of my heroes was Captain James T Kirk of the starship Enterprise. It was his ability to command and direct that fascinated me. Heroes are human examples of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:1-22

Denomination: Church Of God

The Family's Bermuda Triangle

Contributed by Jim Kane on Oct 19, 2001

Domestic Violence is the Family’s Bermuda Triangle.

One of the things about the planet earth is that she contains many interesting and mysterious places. One such place is the Bermuda Triangle. The Bermuda Triangle is an area of the Atlantic Ocean that is bordered by the island of Bermuda on the north, the island of Puerto Rico on the south, and ...read more

Denomination: Church Of God

The Purpose Of Worship Is . . .? Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 3, 2001

The purpose of worship is to experience God.

Have you heard about the little boy who attended church for the first time and was asked how it went? He replied, "The music was nice but the commercial was too long." Or have your heard about the recent experience of a pastor who changed the order of worship so that the sermon was given before ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:46-47

Denomination: Church Of God

Getting Out Of The Box Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 3, 2001

The purpose of outreach is to take the God of the church into the community.

(To the reader – this sermon was begun while I was inside an appliance box.) The theme of the most recent issue of YMI Update, our national youth ministry leadership newsletter, was "Out of the Box." Included in this particular issue were several stories about congregational youth ministries who ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Acts 2:47

Denomination: Church Of God

I Give Up! Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2001

The purpose of discipleship is to turn us from being served to server.

I want to begin this morning by briefly reviewing where we have been in this series "The Five Purposes of The Church. " We have already examined three purposes - worship, outreach, and fellowship. Today we are going to look at the purpose of discipleship and next week conclude with service or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Church Of God

Open My Life Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 13, 2001

The purpose of fellowship is to enable us to live for God everywhere we go.

This past Monday and Tuesday I attended the annual all boards¡¦ retreat for our state ministry at Waycross Retreat Center down in Brown County. I was there as a new member our state Board of Christian Education. It was a time for getting better acquainted with other colleagues around the state. ...read more

Scripture: John 17:21, Acts 2:44

Denomination: Church Of God

The Touch Of God Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 25, 2001

The Christmas touch is the touch of God that includes touches of many kinds that will help us, and other, experience God¡¦s touch on our lives.

As I began to write this morning’s message, I became very much aware of the fact that for the first time since Vietnam, we are at war during the Christmas season. I don’t remember having this same kind of awareness as a child and young teenager during that time although as I look out this morning I ...read more

Scripture: John 1:14, Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

The Real Small Group Leader Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Nov 29, 2001

Jesus longs to be present as the center of our gatherings, just as he promised, to be light and to give life.

The Real Small Group Leader Pastor Jim Luthy Last week, I mentioned the optimum group size was probably between 2-12 people. That being said, I’m sure any of you who have worked with a group of others would agree there are times when it seems the optimum group size is one. Working with others ...read more

Scripture: John 3:26-30, Ephesians 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Will You Be My Neighbor? Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 3, 2001

One of the ways that we reach and touch others as we build bridges of care and friendship in Christ’s name is by reaching out to our neighbors like the innkeeper

(Begin with side entrance to the theme of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Go through the opening routine.) For many years Fred Rogers sang to us, "Will you be my neighbor?" The idea of the neighbor came into the discussion between a Pharisee and Jesus Christ when Jesus was asked, "Who is my neighbor?" ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Church Of God

Dealing With The Lack Of Peace In Our Relationships

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 10, 2001

This sermon analyzes some of the problems and some of the solutions regarding having peace in our relationships.

This passage points us toward some of the causes and some solutions concerning the lack of peace we often deal with in our relationships (see v. 1). I. What’s Your Problem? James identifies some of the causes of the problems we face. He deals with several, but let’s limit ourselves to ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

7 Ways To Serve One Another Series

Contributed by Jim Luthy on Dec 12, 2001

So how do we rightly relate to one another in our small groups? I have found there is no reason to "reinvent the wheel" in responding to this question. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his classic work, Life Together, explains 7 ways to serve your small group.

Last week, I used an illustration to show that Jesus should be the center of our small group meetings. He is the real leader of the small group. He is alive. He comes to us in the person of the Holy Spirit. And he is Lord. But lying underneath this goal of our gathering is the reality that we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:19-21, 1 John 3:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational