Sermons on Jim Schaunessey:

The Purpose Of Testing Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

As Christians today, we have to endure testing. But God doesn’t only call us to endure it, He calls us to have joy in it. He calls us to have joy in it because there is a purpose behind it.

1. Testing produces patience (3) 2. Testing produces perfection (4) 3. Testing wants wisdom (5) 4. Testing finds faith (6-8) JAMES 1:2 It’s back to school time, isn’t it? Teachers are excited. Parents are excited. Kids are excited. You can just feel the excitement in the air, can’t you? Well, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-8

Denomination: Baptist

Rebels Without A Chance Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Times have changed and the names on the map have changed, but God remains the same and man’s response to Him remains the same. God’s pattern of judgment remains the same also.

1. God’s grace 2. Man’s response 3. Man’s conviction 4. God’s judgment How many times have you ever heard a sermon that you thought, “Boy, I wish so-and-so was here.” Or, “I hope so-and-so is listening.” One thing, preachers love hearing Amens. So much so, that some will fall into the trap of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Fear The Roar Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Whether ancient Israel, a modern nation or a local church, God always responds harshly when those He has blessed rebel against Him.

1. God’s first response is He speaks His warning 2. God’s second response is He shows His witness 3. God’s third response is He sends His weapon 4. God’s fourth response is He separates His wheat Anybody who has been married for more than five minutes knows that there are some things you can ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Meeting God Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

There are two ways to prepare to meet God—on our terms or on His terms.

1. How Israel tried to meet God on their terms a. They behaved on their own terms (4:1) b. They worshipped on their own terms (4:4-5) 2. How God persuaded Israel to meet Him on His terms a. God warned on His terms—His holiness (4:2-3) b. God persuaded on His terms (4:6-11) 3. The results a. The ...read more

Scripture: Amos 4:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Funeral For The Living Dead Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

In this funeral lament for Israel, God reminds them that He is on His throne and it is only in seeking Him that they will live.

1. Destruction is coming (5:1-3; 16-17) 2. Hope is waiting (5:4-6; 14-15) 3. Evil is abounding (5:7; 10-13) 4. God is reigning (5:8-9) AMOS 5:1-17 I know it’s July, but it’s never too soon to start thinking of Christmas. How many of you remember the old Charles Dickens play, A Christmas Carol? ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Be Careful What You Wish For Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

We often look forward to eschatological events as wonderful pie-in-the-sky times. While the fulfillment of those events will result in unimaginable blessedness, we cannot forget they are initiated by judgment. Are we ready for how they will arrive?

Be careful what you wish for. 1. Because it might not be what you expect. 2. Because you might not be as ready for it as you think. 3. Because your memory might not be as good as you think it is. 4. Because you might need to do everything you can in the present grace God gives you. AMOS ...read more

Scripture: Amos 5:18-27, Amos 5:1-27

Denomination: Baptist

All You Can Ease Buffet Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

God cries out in grief over the death of Israel because of their complacency.

As you turn to Amos 6 tonight, I want to tell you about the first word of our text. That word is Woe. Everybody experiences grief in different ways. Some people keep it inside. Some people cry. But there are some people who really break down. We’ve all seen pictures of the professional ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicting The Comfortable Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Like He did with Israel, God is in the business of afflicting the comfortable. When we are at ease in Zion, He sometimes has to shake us up with righteous affliction.

1. Introduction (6:8) 2. Afflicting the comfortable—(what does righteous affliction look like?) a. Afflicted bodies (6:9-10) b. Afflicted buildings (6:11) c. Afflicted brains (6:12-13) d. Afflicted borders (6:14) 3. Conclusion a. We know what God’s righteous affliction looks like—how do we avoid ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:8-14, Amos 6:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Three Strikes, You're Out! Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 27, 2007

Israel missed each opportunity God gave them. Each time Amos interceded, God held off on afflicting them. Finally, He had enough—He afflicted them with almost complete destruction. God is faithful to respond to the intercessory prayers of His people.

1. The first pitch was a fastball of grace. 2. The second pitch was a fastball of mercy. 3. The third pitch was a changeup of affliction. AMOS 7:1-9 I think everybody here knows how much I enjoy sports. Mostly football, but I like other sports too. I like watching NASCAR. I’m a frustrated ...read more

Scripture: Amos 7:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When I'm Sighing With Despair

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2009

A look at David and the sighing that he lifts up because of his difficult circumstance.

WORST WEEK EVER: When is God when I’m sighing with despair? - Psalm 5:1. - Most of us have faced times when problems and difficulties and struggles leave us with little more than a heart-heavy sigh. - It’s almost like the latest blow knocks the wind out of us yet again as we exhale a sigh of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

When We Act Like Stubbornness Is A Spiritual Gift Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 13, 2013

A look at the dangers of stubbornness.

WHEN WE DON'T LIKE WHERE GOD IS LEADING: Jonah would rather die than change. - Jonah 1:12. A CROSS PROBLEM: Too many Christians are more defined by crossed arms than by the cross of Christ. - Too many of us confuse stubbornness with conviction. - What’s the difference? Conviction has to ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:12

Denomination: Baptist

How To Pray For Someone Deep In Sin Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 15, 2013

A look at how we need to be praying sometimes for God to put a 'whuppin" on someone.

HOW TO PRAY FOR SOMEONE DEEP IN SIN: it’s ok to pray for God to “whup” someone. - Jonah 1:17-2:1. - Verse 17a – The Lord prepared the trial and rebuke. - Verse 17b – Jonah still did not immediately repent. - Verse 1 – Three days later, Jonah finally ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Most "Irrefutable" Argument Christians Face In The Homosexual Debate

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 19, 2013

One of the most powerful arguments in the homosexual marriage debate is “I didn’t choose my sexuality – it came naturally to me.” This message addresses that argument.

- Let’s up front acknowledge a couple of things: a. Gay marriage is here to stay in America for the foreseeable future. That’s just a political reality. b. Christians who claim homosexuality is wrong are going to be in the minority for the foreseeable future. - I think it’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:26-27

Denomination: Baptist

What Did Jesus Mean By "Whoever Loses His Life For Me Will Find It" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 19, 2013

A look at Jesus' difficult (and frequently ignored) teaching that "whoever lose his life for me will find it." What does that mean? What does it look like to live that out?

WHAT DOES "LOSE YOUR LIFE TO FIND IT" MEAN ANYWAY? It means to pursue Jesus’ path even at the expense of my desires. - Matthew 10:39; Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25. - This is a foreign concept to many Christians. In the American church we largely ignore this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26

Denomination: Baptist

Why Would God Stoop To Reveal His Will Through Dice Tossed By Pagan Sailors Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 27, 2013

God reveals Jonah's guilt through dice tossed by pagan sailors. It's so undignified. Why would God stoop to reveal His will in such a way?

REALLY, GOD? Why would God stoop to reveal His will through dice tossed by pagan sailors? - Jonah 1:7. - When you think about this situation, it just all seems so undignified. We’ve got these sailors (whom we can safely presume were not having Sunday School on the ship) rolling dice and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:7

Denomination: Baptist