Sermons on Jim Elliott:

Ready Or Not, Here We Go: The Human Genome Project

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 13, 2000

Examination of the spiritual implications of the charting of the human genome.

 You may or may not have realized it, but last Monday’s (6/26/00) news carried the story that is a very likely candidate for the story of the decade. The New York Times headline proclaimed: “Scientists Complete Rough Draft of Human Genome” The entire human genome has been ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:12

Denomination: Baptist

Fallen Humankind Series

Contributed by Jim Hoogeveen on Nov 21, 2000

The Bible teaches that all people have sinned and are spiritually dead. We have closed hearts, darkened minds, closed ears, and blinded eyes. Because we are spiritually dead we need God's help.

Ephesians 2:1-5 HCC 10-1-00 Fallen Humankind This last week a gymnast from Romania was stripped of her Olympic gold medal because she tested positive for a drug that was banned. The team doctor had given her some medicine for her cold. It was a mistake. It was a trespass of the rules. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Name That Person Series

Contributed by Jim Kane on Dec 13, 2001

One of the ways that we can make meaningful connections is by connecting with people who are often overlooked.

Several years ago there was a game show called, Name That Tune in which contestants competed for cash and prizes by trying to name songs in as few notes as possible. The famous line being of course, I can name that song in one note! This morning, we are going to briefly play “Name That Person” ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Denomination: Church Of God

How To Discover What God Has For You In The Bible

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 28, 2000

A practical discussion of techniques for getting more out of your Bible study time.

Recently, Tyndale House Publishers conducted a survey asking Americans their opinions regarding the Bible. Among their findings were that the top three reasons people don’t read the Bible are: 1. Not enough time. 2. Too hard to understand. 3. Find it irrelevant. The top three frustrations ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:23-29

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Be Intelligent And Not Believe In Evolution?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 30, 2000

A consideration of the intellectual difficulties with the theory of evolution.

It was voted by the Associated Press to be the top story of 1999: the Kansas Board of Education’s decision to de-emphasize some aspects of the teaching of evolution in Kansas’ schools set off a firestorm of controversy. >>>”Events began in 1995, when the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:27

Denomination: Baptist