Sermons on Jim Eliot:

Against Me Series

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Oct 13, 2016

We must deny our self to to reach God's Ideal for our life. We decide against our self to decide for Him.

Title: IF: Against Me Place: Blue Licks Christian Church Date: 10/16/16 Text: Romans 8.4, Luke 9.23, 1 Corinthians 10 .23 CT: We must deny our self to reach God’s ideal for our lives. Show Clip of movie trailer “Sully”. [Screen 1] FAS: On January 2, 2009,Flight 1549, a regular ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:4

Denomination: Christian Church

Free Pass

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Nov 14, 2016

We are given a Free Pass on our past, but does this give us a license to continue doing what we want when we want with who we want. Jesus makes it clear that in Him we are not condemned but must sin no more.

Title: Free Pass Place: BLCC Date: 11/20/16 Text: John 8.2-11; Romans 6.1-4; Hebrews 10.26-31 CT: We are given a “Free Pass” on our past. [Screen 1] FAS: In an interview with New York magazine, the late Supreme Court Justice Scalia explained his beliefs about the reality of the Devil. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

How God Comforts The Downcast Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 16, 2019

This passage shares the encouraging truth that "God . . . comforts the downcast." It also points out one of the major ways that He does that: through the people He's put around us.

DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE DOWNCAST? He cares enough that He has put the answer all around us. - 2 Corinthians 7:6 – “God . . . comforts the downcast” - We doubt. We feel discouraged and downcast and we wonder if God cares. - And this is a big deal because there are so many today who struggle ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

How To Handle Your Guilt Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 22, 2019

Many today want to put aside any mention of shame as inappropriate. Paul, though, speaks of godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. What's the distinction and how can sorrow be a good thing?

SMILEY RELIGION: “God wants me to be happy.” - 2 Corinthians 7:8. - Today so many presume that God’s job is to make them happy. The only way they think about God is that He is there to answer our prayers and bring good things into our lives. - Biblical ideas like carrying your cross, losing ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Should A Good Church Family Look Like? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 31, 2019

A look at six characteristics of a good church family.

The Spirit of a Church: Churches have a spirit about them, whether good or bad. - By “spirit” here, I don’t mean that churches have a soul or anything like that. No, I simply mean that churches have a mood, a personality, a spirit about them. - We’ve all experienced what I’m talking about. Have ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Have A Generous Heart When Money Is Tight? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 6, 2019

Paul commends the Macedonians for being generous even in their poverty. What can we learn from them about giving well?

CAN YOU BE BOTH? It’s telling that the Macedonians were poor and generous. - 2 Corinthians 8:1-2. - Verse 2 gives us a striking statement. Paul shares with us that the Macedonians were extremely poor and richly generous. Those aren’t two phrases that we normally put together. - If you’re here ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Why Would Someone Plead For A Chance To Give? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 11, 2019

The Macedonians plead with Paul for a chance to share financially. What creates that kind of a heart?

- Skit: Guy shows up who has traveled back in time. Offers second guy a chance to buy Apple stock the day before the company starts. Play up the time period and maybe some jokes off the company name. A MYSTERY: Why would someone plead for a chance to give? - 2 Corinthians 8:4. - Think of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Evangelism Off The Table

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 19, 2019

A shocking survey result from a recent Barna demands that we reassess why evangelism is so essential.

A SHOCKING SURVEY RESULT: In a recent Barna survey, nearly half of practicing Christian millennials said that evangelism is wrong. - Matthew 28:18-20. - After more than 20 years of being a pastor, it’s rare than I read anything that makes me say, “Whoa.” I’ve read too many “debased culture” ...read more

Scripture: John 14:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Can God Do ‘exceeding Abundantly’ Great Answers Through Me?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 20, 2019

The Macedonians were used mightily by God through their offering. But what did they do before the offering that enabled such generosity?

A PRAYER QUESTION: How can God do “exceeding abundantly” great answers through me? - [Put this passage in the outline] Ephesians 3:20 – that phrasing is from the KJV – “Now unto [H]im that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

In Giving, Where Is The ‘enough’ Line? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 21, 2019

Paul doesn't just say, "Tithe and you're good." Rather, he encourages the Corinthians to "excel in the grace of giving." What does that mean exactly? And what does grace have to do with giving?

IN GIVING, WHERE IS THE "ENOUGH" LINE? Many Christians would say, “Tithe and you’re good.” - There is a natural tendency in almost all of us to want to know where the line is. It might be so we don’t cross it. It might be so we can cross it. But we want to know where the line is. - ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Paul’s Vision For The Church Helping Each Other Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 1, 2019

Paul gives instruction on how the church should help each other.

TWO WAYS: The American way is everyone is on their own; Paul’s vision is that we are there for each other. - 2 Corinthians 8:10-15. - Galatians 6:2. - The American way emphasizes the rugged individual. You pull yourself up by your bootstraps and you mark a path of success for yourself. You are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:10-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Missing Piece For An Uplifting Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 12, 2019

This passage models for us what encouragement looks like. How can my church become more encouraging?

WHY IT MATTERS: Encouragement is precious because it’s relatively rare. - 2 Corinthians 8:24. - There are some sermons where you have to spend the majority of the message explaining the idea. This is not one of those messages. - This is a straightforward concept. We know what encouragement is. ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Jesus Rested Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 15, 2018

A look at how Jesus rested on the Saturday of Holy Week. It was the Sabbath day and He was able to rest because He had finished His work well.

Well-Earned Rest: Some of the best rest comes from finished work completed well. - Most of us have had that moment: you’ve been working hard all day on a project – maybe you’re painting a bedroom. It’s long needed work and today was the day. It took the better part of your Saturday, but as you ...read more

Scripture: John 19:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

The Comfort That God Gives Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 22, 2018

This passage repeats "comfort" again and again. What does Paul teach us hear about God's comfort?

HARD ROAD: This life is tough and we will need some comfort along the way. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. - Even if you were only half paying attention when I read the passage, you know the main word: “comfort.” It’s littered throughout the verses. - Comfort is something that we all need from time to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

Where Do I Find Hope When I’m Struggling? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2018

Encouragement for when we are in the midst of struggles.

Where Do I Find Hope When I’m Struggling? 1. Hardships are not unusual. - 2 Corinthians 1:8-9a. - There can be resentment in our relationship with God when hard times come. “Doesn’t God love me?” “Why is God allowing this?” It can lead us to question God. - This is particularly true if we’ve ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Denomination: Baptist