Sermons on Jim Eliot:

Why Power Blinds Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 9, 2021

The Pharisees desire for power blinds them to the point where they acknowledge Jesus is doing miracles but still want to kill Him! What can we learn from their lust for power?

THE PHARISEES WANT TO KILL THE GUY DOING MIRACLES: Power creates blind spots. - John 11:47-48, 53. - The connection between v. 47 and v. 53 is almost unbelievable. - In v. 47, the Pharisees admit that Jesus is doing many miraculous signs. - Yet in v. 53 they plot to take Jesus’ life. - What in ...read more

Scripture: John 11:45-57

Denomination: Baptist

Desire And Discipline Series

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 10, 2021

Gluttony is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but we can broaden that concept to include overindulgence in general. And the need for self-discipline and healthy boundaries is as relevant an issue in our times as it has ever been.

1 Peter 5:8-11 A boy’s father bought a new lawn mower and told his son that he could keep half of the money if he sold their old one. So the boy posted an ad on the bulletin board at their local grocery store, and within a few days a prospective buyer came by to see it. ‘Does it run?” he asked. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

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

Love Is Relational

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 8, 2021

Love is all about relationships. The cross itself speaks of the two dimensions of love, vertical and horizontal, divine and human love. And where they intersect most powerfully is in relationships.

Love is Relational John 21:15-17 (Read text.) I remember hearing missionaries to the Congo talking about the need for long-term missions, especially the importance of learning the language and the culture of the people. “Language and culture are important,” they said, “because they facilitate ...read more

Scripture: John 21:15-17

Lessons From The Triumphal Entry Prophecies Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 18, 2021

This sermon on a familiar passage takes a different approach, looking at the prophetic quotes within the Triumphal Entry story.

OUR FOCUS IN THIS MESSAGE: This Triumphal Entry story pauses to note its Old Testament roots. - John 12:16. - This is easily overlooked, but it is important that it is inserted here. What do the prophetic pieces of this passage have to tell us? - Preaching on the Triumphal Entry normally either ...read more

Scripture: John 12:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Rising Popularity And The Upside-Down Kingdom Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 25, 2021

A golden opportunity for increased popularity presents itself, but Jesus uses the occasion to talk about what glory looks like in His "upside-down" kingdom.

THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN TOWN? Jesus’ popularity reaches a new level when even the Greeks are interested in Him. - John 12:20-22. A RELATED IDEA? Jesus’ response is focused on glory. - John 12:23. - Is Jesus interested in glory the way that everyone else is or is He pointing them toward ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Our Judgmental Attitude Toward Our Brothers And Sisters In Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 4, 2023

It's so easy for us to be judgmental toward those in our church family. What does this passage tell us about how God wants us to handle those thoughts?

- So far in this sermon series: 1. There are disputable matters. 2. We should accept the brother or sister we disagree with on disputable matters. NOT OUR JOB: It is not our job to judge our brothers over disputable matters. - Romans 14:1b. - We are focusing this morning on the judgmental ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be More Encouraging To Our Brothers And Sisters In Christ Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 24, 2023

Romans 14 is a key passage on potential disagreements with fellow believers. What does this passage teach us about being more encouraging in our church families?

DANGER SIGNS: 1. AM I TRIPPING UP MY BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST? - Romans 14:13b, 15b. - In church arguments and fights, so often our focus is on showing everyone how right we are. - Here, though, in v. 13b, we are instructed not to put a stumbling block in front of a brother or sister. - Let ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

If Not Disputable Matters, What Should Our Focus Be On? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 31, 2023

This sermon is the conclusion of the "How to Disagree" sermon series. In this message, we look at what we should be focused on instead of arguing over secondary issues.

A BIGGER VISION: Are we thinking of denominational correctness or of the expansive kingdom of God? - Romans 14:17a. - [Note: focus here on the Kingdom; leave the other for the second point.] - So often we get down into the weeds on all these disputable matters that we’ve been discussing for the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

What This Salvation Is Going To Produce Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 7, 2023

This sermon series is going to look at Romans 1-8 in seven sermons. This first sermon focuses on "what." This passage tells us what salvation is going to produce, then the following chapters tell us how it happens

- This is a sermon series that summarizes Romans 1-8 in seven sermons. So we are just hitting the big ideas. - By the very nature of that, there will be much interesting material that we will have to skip over. It’s not unusual for pastors to do a sermon series on Romans 1-8 and take 50+ sermons ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Starting Point Of Salvation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 21, 2023

Paul starts his gospel presentation at a surprising point: the wrath of God. Is it justified? If so, why?

- Last week’s sermon was Paul’s introduction, which gave a summary. Now we are starting to work through what Paul shares as an explanation of the gospel. WHAT IS THE BIG QUESTION PAUL IS STARTING WITH? Is the wrath of God justified? - Romans 1:18a. - The first four words are “the wrath of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Love Conquers All

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 27, 2023

The love of God overcomes fear if we choose to open our hearts to its supreme reality. The greatest source of blessing and peace we can ever know is found in trusting in his love.

A pastor shared the story of going deep-sea fishing in Florida with his brother when their boat lost all of its electronics, including the communications and GPS functions. They were out of sight of land, and since it was an overcast day there was no way for them even to tell east from west. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43, 1 John 4:16-18

How Faith Brings Salvation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 29, 2023

This part of Paul's argument gets into what exactly Jesus does for us.

- [Don’t read the whole passage to open the sermon.] - Review of the sermons up to this point: a. Overview. b. We are all sinners. - Having established the problem, we are now starting to get into the answer and how exactly God is working in that. WHAT'S THE PLAN FOR SALVATION? ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Does This Salvation Place Me? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 5, 2023

What is the position that this salvation puts me in?

WHERE DOES THIS SALVATION PLACE ME? I have peace with God. - Romans 5:1-2. - Pieces of this passage: a. We talked in the last sermon about being justified by faith. - v. 1a. b. Where that salvation places me is that I now have peace with God. - v. 1b. c. Jesus made that happen. - v. 1c. d. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-21

Denomination: Baptist