Sermons on Jim Elliot:

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

When Church Seems Like A Fly-By-Night Operation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 27, 2020

It's easy to look at your local church and be underwhelmed by what you see. Jesus' words here point us toward a higher vision of the Kingdom that He is inaugurating.

AMATEUR HOUR: Sometimes the church can seem like a fly-by-night operation. - We all have stories of churches behaving poorly. We all have stories of churches who were laughably bad at what they were doing. - I remember as a young Christian being preached at by my pastor that we should bring our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus’ Response To Our False Confidence, Struggle, And Failure Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 31, 2020

Jesus predicts Peter's denial. These verses give us three harsh realities and three promising truths.

- This section comes right after a couple verses about being conferred a kingdom and the ultimate victory that kingdom will experience. In the meantime, though, there are the challenges of real life. Three Harsh Realities in this Passage: 1. The reality of false confidence. - Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Facing Resistance To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus tells His followers that He is being numbered among the transgressors. What does that mean for us today as we try to follow Him?

WHAT I DON'T KNOW: What exactly is going on with the swords here? - Luke 22:36, 38. - The references to swords garner the most attention from most readers. They are intriguing statements that are not easily understood. - I wish I could tell you that I have an incisive, succinct explanation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Unrepentant Sin Of The World Versus Unrepentant Sin Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 14, 2020

Does God treat the unrepentant sin of the church differently than the unrepentant sin of the world?

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE: Amos opens with God’s wrath for everyone. - Amos 1:1-2:16. - Maybe just focus on the nations’ part under this point. - What does the “three sins, even four” mean? - God is not saying, “I would stop if you would do three or four sins,” although it kind of sounds like ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is God’s Will An Inscrutable Mystery? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 21, 2020

Many complain that God's will is impossible to discern. God proclaims here, though, that He is regularly and clearly speaking through His prophets.

KEEPING US IN THE DARK? Is God’s will an inscrutable mystery? - Amos 3:3-7. - It is a common complaint that God’s will is an inscrutable mystery? Who can discern that hand of God? Who can understand the mind of the Lord? - And so many presume that because it is an impossibility to understand ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3-7

Denomination: Baptist

A Solution To Most Arguments Among Christians Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 15, 2023

This sermon series looks at Romans 14. This opening sermon examines the big picture of how Christians should handle these issue we disagree on.

A FACT OF LIFE: There are going to be disputable matters Christians disagree on. - Romans 14:1b, 2, 5a. - Verse 1b introduces the term “disputable matters.” Now Paul has a lot to say about this and we are going to unpack this chapter over the next five weeks and detail the major points he makes. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

How To Treat The Believers We Disagree With Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 26, 2023

This sermon delves into Romans 14 and brings out the point that we are to accept each other and how to do that.

- Sermon series: “How to Disagree.” Last week we established that there are disputable matters, which is an important category to understand. There may be theological issues about which sincere believers can have honest disagreement. - Having established that, we move today onto the next logical ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1

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

How Does Personal Spiritual Growth Connect To The Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2020

Paul closes out his second letter to the Corinthians with a plea from his heart for their spiritual growth. Why do we today so seldom see that at a practical level in our churches?

- I should note as we begin that v. 8 is a difficult verse. Its meaning is not clear. It’s not essential to grasp that verse in order to be able to understand the larger point that Paul is making, so we’re just going to lay it aside this evening. There’s not any benefit tonight in spending a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Reading The Bible Literally

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 7, 2020

Paul's instruction that the Corinthians were to "greet one another with a holy kiss" provides a nice open door for discussing whether we are to take the Bible literally. This message looks at four considerations that we need to keep in mind to read the Bible correctly.

- I have four questions for you as we begin. Let me hear an “Amen” if you agree with what I say: a. The Bible is the Word of God. b. We believe in the Bible. c. The Bible is literally true. d. When I came into church, I greeted everyone with a holy kiss. - Where were all the cries of “Amen” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist