Sermons on Jim Schaunessey:

The Proof Of Effective Ministry Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 9, 2018

Paul declares that the proof of his ministry is the changed lives of the Corinthians. Do we focus on that today?

THE GOAL OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY: The goal is not empire building, but changed lives. - 2 Corinthians 3:1-3. - v. 1 – they were the letters of recommendation. - v. 2 – “You yourselves are our letter . . .” - v. 3 – “. . . you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry . . . ” - v. 3 – ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

How Is The New Covenant Better Than The Old? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 19, 2018

In what ways is the new covenant better than what Moses shared?

What Should We Do? Embrace the better new. - Sometimes Christians seem to pine for the Old Testament way of doing things. A couple examples: a. Getting to see God show up physically with smoke and lightning fireworks. b. Having a list of rules to follow. - A larger problem than that, though, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Denomination: Baptist

When You Feel Like You’re Not Good Enough Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 26, 2018

Encouragement when we're tempted to hide our sin or pretend that we didn't sin.

- In this sermon, I’m going to focus on the transition statements within this passage. I want to do that because in this particular passage those words give us some clues to the point that Paul is making. They each point to a significant idea within this passage. When You Feel Like You’re Not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

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

Why Don’t I Sense God’s Closeness More Often?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 3, 2018

Jesus said the kingdom is near, yet often we don't sense God's closeness. This sermon looks at five places where we're likely to meet God.

A GOOD QUESTION: Why don’t I sense God’s closeness more often? - Most of us can tell you about moments in our lives when we sensed God’s closeness. - One such moment for me was when the Holy Spirit spoke to me at 4 a.m. in Guangzhou, China. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so palpable and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-7

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

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

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