Sermons on Jim Patrick:

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

The Problem With ‘what’s Best For Me’

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 19, 2018

A look at God's call to be concerned for the vulnerable.

Our Starting Point: “What’s best for me?” - We usually end up with a self-centered mentality. We look out for ourselves. And that is certainly encouraged within our society. We are a “winner-take-all” place where everyone looks out for themselves. - What responsibility do we have to those ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

What Makes God’s Judgment Harder Or Easier?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 27, 2018

A look at three things the Bible says will impact the severity with which God judges a person.

A TRUTH FOR EVERYONE: Let’s begin by establishing that everyone gets judged by God. - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Revelation 20:11-15. - Those who have accepted Christ will be judged for rewards; those who have not accepted Christ will be judged for their sin. But everyone faces a moment of standing ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:14-15

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

Why Are So Many Uninterested In The Gospel? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 2, 2018

Paul tells us the world is blind to the gospel. What is the key to help them see?

- Earlier, use this for the Children’s Sermon. Have a box with one side open and that open side up against the wall. Let the kids guess what might be in the box. Then have helper pick up the box and hold it front of their face, causing a light to shine on their face from the flashlight in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Can God Do Great Things Through Someone Like Me? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 6, 2018

A look at why it's ok that we are merely "jars of clay."

A Picture Of Us And God: We are the plain pot; Christ is the magnificent flower. - 2 Corinthians 4:7. Living This Truth Out: 1. It’s ok to admit your shortcomings. - 2 Corinthians 4:7 – “jars of clay.” 2. Accept that you’re the plain pot and Christ is the magnificent flower. - 2 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denomination: Baptist

How God Grows Us Through Struggles Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 7, 2018

This difficult passage points us toward who we are in Christ and how He grows us.

HOW GOD GROWS US THROUGH STRUGGLES: 1. AN EASY LIFE? God does not take away our struggles, though He does ensure they don’t overwhelm us. - 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. - In verses 8-9, Paul shares four statements that we’d rather not hear. They speak clearly to an uncomfortable truth: God’s goal is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Our Faith Produces Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 9, 2018

A look at having a "spirit of faith" and three of the things that brings into our lives.

OUR ACTION: We speak (and live) with a spirit of faith. - 2 Corinthians 4:13. - Paul quotes Psalm 116. In that Psalm the writer cried out for mercy and God came through for him. This sentence drawn from that speaks to the writer’s faith in God. “I believed” – he had faith in God to come ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Hope When Obstacles Discourage Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 15, 2018

Encouragement on how to not lose heart. How does God use struggles to move us forward spiritually?

WHY DO WE GET DISCOURAGED? Obstacles weigh us down. - 2 Corinthians 4:16a. - In one sense, it’s good news that the first part of v. 16 is in there. It’s a reminder to us that God knows that we get discouraged and need a little hope. These verses are in here to give us that hope. Hopefully ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Denomination: Baptist

For What Purpose Did God Make Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 18, 2018

Paul details the purpose God created us for and the importance of the new body that Christians will experience.

A BETTER BODY: Our current body is like a leaky tent; our resurrection body is like a solid building. - 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 4, 8. - Verse 1 compares our earthly body to a tent. If you’ve been camping you know that most tents can be leaky, drafty, decidedly rough. But we have a second body to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready To Meet Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 20, 2018

We all will meet Jesus someday. What's your plan for that moment?

DO YOU BELIEVE IN JUSTICE? One that’s required if you want justice is judgment. - There resides with almost all of us a desire for justice. It hurts us to watch the end of a trial and see in the verdict that someone got away with it. It’s just not right. And that bothers us. - There seems to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That ‘all Died’ At The Cross? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 28, 2018

A look at the idea of substitutionary atonement and what it means for who we are in Christ.

HOW MANY DIED AT THE CROSS? What does it mean that “all died” at the cross? - 2 Corinthians 5:14. WHAT DOES "SUBSTITUTION ATONEMENT" LOOK LIKE? Christ died as a “substitution” for me. - 2 Corinthians 5:14. [Put these in the outline. Maybe put some of the Scriptures on the screen.] WHAT ARE ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding Who I Am Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 3, 2018

This message examines being a new creation in Christ and what that means for us.

The Looking-Glass Self: Much of who we think we are arises from who others say we are. - There is a sociological idea developed by Charles Cooley in 1902 called the “looking glass self.” The idea is straightforward: much of who we believe ourselves to be comes from what others think of us. - If ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That Christ "reconciled" Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 9, 2018

Paul here uses an interesting and unusual phrase: "reconciled." What exactly does it mean that Christ has reconciled us?

WHAT DOES "RECONCILE" MEAN? It is bringing two things into agreement. - 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. - The key word in this passage is “reconcile.” This is not a word that we use much in sermons or Bible study, but it’s a good Bible word and it has an important truth to teach us. This ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Denomination: Baptist