Sermons on Jim Schaunessey:

Moving Beyond Prayer As 911 Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 17, 2013

A look at how we too often only pray in emergencies and some steps toward a deeper prayer life.

[Skit: Say that you’re going to demonstrate the way that we often pray. Say, “Dear God. . .” and have someone respond over the sound system, “911. What’s your emergency?”] EVERYONE BELIEVES IN PRAYER SOMETIMES: Everyone prays in an emergency. - Jonah 1:5. - ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:5

Denomination: Baptist

Going Overboard About Our Possessions Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 18, 2013

The main idea shared here is "don't go overboard about things you'd throw overboard." The message looks at how often only a life-threatening situation can cause us to let loose of our possessions.

MAN OVERBOARD: Don’t go overboard about things you’d throw overboard. - Jonah 1:5. - This trip was undertaken for financial reasons. They didn’t just set sail because they wanted to see the ocean for a while. They did it because there was money to be made. They didn’t ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:5

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

How Can Prayer Be A Witnessing Tool? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 29, 2013

Everyone believes in prayer in a crisis and that's an opportunity for us to point them to God.

AN OPEN DOOR: Everyone believes in prayer in a crisis. - Jonah 1:6 – “The captain went to him and said, ‘How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god!’” - In the section, notice two things: a. It’s the captain that asks Jonah to pray. - Now, there’s ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

The Parts Of Our Lives That Are Off-Limits To God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 2, 2013

A look at how we only let God into certain parts of our lives when He needs to be "Lord of all" in our lives.

WHY WEREN'T THE SAILORS BOTHERED EARLIER? Because they believed in small, provincial gods. - Jonah 1:7, 10. - One of the unusual things about this verse is that it tells in verse 10 that Jonah had told them previously that he was running away from God. You would think that when the storm arose ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:10

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

Why Was The One Sign Jesus Would Give "the Sign Of Jonah"? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 30, 2013

A look at whether Jonah died in the whale as well as what the specific significance of the "sign of Jonah" is.

WHAT IS THE SIGN OF JONAH? Is the point that Jonah was in the whale or that Jonah was dead? - Matthew 12:38-40. - The point of the miracle is less the miracle of being in a whale or the specific time frame (“three days and three nights”) and more the miracle of resurrection. WHAT EXACTLY ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:2-9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Respond To Newly-Delivered People Who Still Are A Mess Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 30, 2013

How do we respond to those who are new Christians and who still "smell" of their former sinful lives?

“WHAT'S THAT SMELL?”: People just spiritually delivered by God usually don’t “smell good.” - Jonah 2:10. - Jonah didn’t smell good. - People coming out of sinful lives don’t usually “smell good.” - There’s lingering sin. There are ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 2:10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Give Second Chances? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 30, 2013

A look at four reasons that God grants second chances.

WHY DOES GOD GIVE SECOND CHANCES? He is a God of justice and love. - Jonah 3:1. - There are other options than second chances: a. He could offer no second chance. - The first offense could be sufficient to end our chances. - He doesn’t want to do that, though, because He loves us and ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 3:1

Denomination: Baptist

Ten Biblical Promises To Claim For Powerful Prayer

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 5, 2013

Many Christians don't know specific verses to claim in their prayers. Here are ten good ones.

WHY IS HAVING A VERSE IMPORTANT? Having a Bible promise helps move us from wishing to confidence. - Romans 4:21; Romans 8:31-32; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Hebrews 4:16. TEN BIBLICAL PROMISES TO CLAIM FOR POWERFUL PRAYER: 1. God will fulfill His promises. - 2 Corinthians 1:20. 2. I can trust God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 4:18-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Did Jesus Say He’s Not A Judge?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 18, 2014

A look at two short verses where Jesus says He wasn't appointed a judge. Why did He say that? This leads us to a larger discussion of the dangers of coming to Jesus with a pre-existing agenda.

A CONFUSING STATEMENT: Why does Jesus say He’s not a judge? - Luke 12:13. - This is an odd statement by Jesus. Why does He say that He was not appointed a judge between them? - It’s important to read the full sentence. Jesus doesn’t say, “I am not a judge” or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Rich Toward God: What That Looks Like Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 19, 2014

A look at three of the ways that we can be "rich toward God" by using our money wisely.

A MONEY PROBLEM: What you store up for yourself gets left behind. - Luke 12:20-21a. - The end of verse 20 notes the rich fool can’t take it with him. That very night his death is coming and then someone else will get what he’s built up. Everything that he has is left on this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Rich Toward God: Where To Invest Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 24, 2014

A look at the two main places we should invest our money if we want to be "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

WHERE DO I PUT THE MONEY? Being “rich toward God” seems a little obscure because you can’t mail God a hundred bucks. - Luke 12:21. - Matthew 6:20; Luke 19:13. - The investment sites that give you all the resources to figure out where to invest – I don’t have time ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Rich Toward God: How To Invest More Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 25, 2014

Six practical suggestions for giving more to the Kingdom and becoming "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21).

How To Invest More In The Kingdom Of God: - Luke 12:21. 1. If you’re now giving nothing, set a “first check” amount and commit to increasing it over time. - If you're not giving anything to the Kingdom right now, there's probably a good chance you're also in debt. You need to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:15-21

Denomination: Baptist