Sermons on Jim Elliot:

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 Are We So Stingy? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 18, 2018

Jesus calls us to "freely give," yet many of us aren't free with our generosity. This sermon looks at the problem and steps forward.

A DIFFICULT QUESTION: Are we stingy? - We don’t like to think of ourselves as being stingy. It’s an ugly word. It’s a small word. But I think a case can be made that many of us are stingier than we’d like to admit. Consider some numbers. - Four stats: a. American Christians today give a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Life Bigger Than Money Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 23, 2018

This message focuses on stepping out of the American Dream's pursuit of escalating standards of living. Instead we are to hold our money lightly and "freely receive, freely give."

- In some ways this is the second part of last week’s sermon. Last week we looked at this passage in Matthew 10:8 about freely receiving and freely giving. We talked about living life with an open hand and whether we are living stingy lives. - I want to return to that same passage this morning ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Frogs In Te Bread-Celebration

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 2, 2018

Hear God’s voice and act today!

Title: Frogs In the Bread-Celebration Date: 7/1/18 Place: BLCC Text: Exodus 8 CT: Hear God’s voice and act today! FAS Sing Majesty That’s who I celebrate this morning. Jesus Christ is my Lord and my King and he is my Savior and I could go on and on as to whom Jesus is. At this time of year ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Four Mistakes In Approaching A Dangerous World

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 9, 2018

Jesus' words about sheep and wolves point us toward the right approach with interacting with the dangerous world around us.

FOUR MISTAKES IN APPROACHING A DANGEROUS WORLD: 1. IF THE WORLD IS MESSY AND DANGEROUS, IS THE WISE OPTION TO JUST WITHDRAW? No, Jesus is sending us out. - Matthew 10:16a. - Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 16:18. - Our tendency is to withdraw from the world because it’s a scary place. - Over time, ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is Porn Really All That Bad? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 18, 2018

This sermon looks at five opening questions about pornography.

FIVE STARTING QUESTIONS: 1. HOW SUBSTANTIAL A PROBLEM IS PORN IN AMERICA TODAY? Three numbers: a. Porn is about a $100 billion industry in America, which is 100 times higher than revenues 20 years ago. - Note that these numbers are just “the porn industry.” That is, the legal, W-2 filing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Denomination: Baptist

Is The Bible Reliable? Series

Contributed by Jim Kilson on Dec 3, 2014

Part 1 of 6 in a series on Basic Bible Doctrines.

INTRODUCTION: Most of us know the basics. Big God. Baby Jesus. Our Sin. The Cross. The Resurrection. But beyond that, many of us don’t really know much more about Christianity. It’s a sad commentary on the state of the church when more often than not we don’t actually have clear ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian Church

Can I Know God? Series

Contributed by Jim Kilson on Dec 3, 2014

Part 2 of 6 in a series on Basic Bible Doctrines

INTRODUCTION: This morning we’re going to begin by looking at one of the most powerful scenes recorded for us in the Old Testament… Elijah goes 450 to 1 against the prophets of Baal. After going all day without an answer the prophets of Baal are forced to concede that their god ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:36-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Five Encouragements To "Not Be Afraid"

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 12, 2014

Five verses that tell us to "not be afraid."

An Encouraging Word: God’s messengers frequently said, “Do not be afraid” because God knows how easily we’re gripped by fear. - Luke 1:13. Five Encouragements To “Not Be Afraid”: - We’re going to look at five places where the Bible says, “Do not ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:13

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Be Confident That God Has Heard My Prayer?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 12, 2014

A look at the confidence we can have that God has heard our prayer as well as some of the reasons He doesn't always respond immedately.

CAN I BE CONFIDENT THAT GOD HAS HEARD MY PRAYER? 1. Christ has promised access. - Luke 11:9; John 14:14; John 15:7. - Through what Christ has done for us, we have access to God the Father. - It’s important that our right to come to the Father is not based on our actions or behavior. If ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:13

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is There Often So Little Joy Among Christians?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 12, 2014

A look at our frequent lack of joy and how more clearly understanding what God has done for us can remedy that.

A QUESTION: Why is there often so little joy among Christians? - Luke 1:14. - This verse highlights the joy that John will bring: “a joy,” “delight,” “rejoice.” - Is that atypical? Is joy supposed to be a standard part of the Christian life? - I believe that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:11-14

Denomination: Baptist