Sermons on Jim Schaunessey:

Why Are Christians Hated By The World? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 27, 2021

Jesus warned His disciples that they would be hated by the world. Why? And how do we respond?

WHAT DOES THE WORLD THINK OF JESUS? It hates Him. - John 15:18, 21, 22, 23, 24. 1. It’s easy to think of Jesus as a Mr. Rogers’ kind of guy and not think about the fact that they killed Him. He was not eminently likeable. - He called His enemies “vipers” and the “blind leading the blind.” - ...read more

Scripture: John 15:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

An Arminian Interprets Romans 9

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 21, 2021

This passage is heavy in election, predestination, and foreknowledge. How does someone who is not a Calvinist interpret it?

Opening Statement of the Inherent Limitations - In beginning to interpret this chapter, it’s important to start with the obvious truth: the questions that this passage raises are vexing issues. Election, predestination, and foreknowledge are the perplexing problems that haunt Romans 9. - A quick ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of The Harvest

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 12, 2021

The good seeds we plant, through our thoughts and actions and habits, will bear fruit through the faithful blessing of God. He’s more than ready to do his part, if we’ll only do ours. That’s “the law of the harvest."

Retired Admiral William McCraven was a Navy SEAL for 36 years, last serving as commander of US Special Operations. He describes the SEAL version of basic training, and some of the life lessons it taught him, in a book he’s written called “Make Your Bed.” Here’s what he says about that simple ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

Why Are John’s Disciples So Worried About Jesus’ Disciples Fasting?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 2, 2021

The question from John's disciples about fasting reveals a serious disconnect to what Jesus is trying to accomplish.

WHY DON'T THEY FAST? The question from John’s disciples shows that they missed the point that Jesus just made. - Matthew 9:13-14. - In v. 14, John’s disciples come and ask about why Jesus’ disciples aren’t fasting. In other gospels, it gives us more information that the Pharisees were in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14

Denomination: Baptist

Could Mary Have Been Stoned For Adultery?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 3, 2021

The title question leads us into a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice that Joseph made in standing with Mary.

A QUESTION: Could Mary have been stoned for adultery? - Matthew 1:18-19. - This is a question that has bugged me for a while. If Mary is presumed to be an adulteress, could she have been stoned? WERE THEY MARRIED? Betrothal was more like marriage than engagement. - Matthew 1:18-19. - Unlike ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

How Simeon Had Peace At His Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 17, 2021

This sermon focuses on the interesting comment that Simeon makes that, having seen the Messiah, he is now ready to die in peace. What would it take for us to die in peace?

READY TO GO? What would make you say, “Now I can die in peace”? - I ask this question in the half-joking way that we usually use this phrase. Someone meets their sports hero and then says, “Now I can die in peace.” Some teen girls go see Shawn Mendes in concert and leave saying, “Now I can die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Simeon’s Answer To "hope So" Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 23, 2021

Simeon says, "My eyes have seen your salvation." Could that be true today too?

A COMMON ANSWER ABOUT BEING SAVED: “I hope so.” - Often when you ask someone if they are going to heaven, they will answer, “I hope so.” - Or you might ask someone if they’re saved and they’ll reply, “I think so.” - [Maybe share those two as more developed stories.] - Maybe you’re in that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

Looking At Your Own Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 25, 2020

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to examine their own faith. What does that look like?

WHO'S IN? There are a lot of questionable boundary markers for the Christian faith. - If you read the obituary page, you will discover some marvelous realities. Among them: a. Upwards of 90% of people are going to heaven. b. People are members of church despite the fact that they haven’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Personal Spiritual Growth Connect To The Church? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 30, 2020

Paul closes out his second letter to the Corinthians with a plea from his heart for their spiritual growth. Why do we today so seldom see that at a practical level in our churches?

- I should note as we begin that v. 8 is a difficult verse. Its meaning is not clear. It’s not essential to grasp that verse in order to be able to understand the larger point that Paul is making, so we’re just going to lay it aside this evening. There’s not any benefit tonight in spending a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Reading The Bible Literally

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 7, 2020

Paul's instruction that the Corinthians were to "greet one another with a holy kiss" provides a nice open door for discussing whether we are to take the Bible literally. This message looks at four considerations that we need to keep in mind to read the Bible correctly.

- I have four questions for you as we begin. Let me hear an “Amen” if you agree with what I say: a. The Bible is the Word of God. b. We believe in the Bible. c. The Bible is literally true. d. When I came into church, I greeted everyone with a holy kiss. - Where were all the cries of “Amen” ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Denomination: Baptist

The Problem Of Weeds

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 14, 2020

This parable may very well be one of the most important teachings for the church to hear in helping us to understand the nature of our witness for good in the world.

The Problem of Weeds Read Matthew 13:24-30 Everyone who has ever farmed or gardened, or taken care of a lawn, is only too familiar with the vexing reality of weeds. Weeds are essentially a mundane example of the fall of Creation and the presence of sin in the world. The dictionary defines them ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

What Jesus Brings Us Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2020

This passage early in John gives us important answers to what John did, who Jesus is, and what Jesus brings us.

WHO JOHN THE BAPTIST IS: He is the witness. - John 1:6, 7, 8, 15. a. He was sent from God. - v. 6. b. He was a witness to the light. - v. 7. c. He was not the light. - v. 8. d. He declared Jesus was God Incarnate. - v. 15. WHO JESUS IS: He is God. - John 1:9, 10, 11, 14, 18. a. He ...read more

Scripture: John 1:6-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Gone Is Too Far Gone? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 19, 2022

Manasseh does great evil as king. Is he too far gone for God to forgive?

WAS MANASSEH TOO FAR GONE? 1. HIS FATHER SET A GODLY EXAMPLE. - 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33. - Sin nature within all of us, no matter how we’re raised. - Each of us must choose the path we will take. Our parents can’t live for us. - This is one of the greatest tragedies of parenting. Certainly ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

When A Teenager Held Back God’s Judgment Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 29, 2022

Josiah stands strong for what's right and, in the course of doing that, holds off God's judgment on a nation.

When a Teenager Held Back God’s Judgment: 1. Sometimes it takes a new generation to move back toward God. - 2 Chronicles 34:1-3. - He’s a young man: eight when he begins to rule and sixteen when he begins seeking the Lord. - It’s easy for us to berate and deride the younger generations, but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

When You Reach The End Of The Line Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 31, 2022

Exile is imminent because of the judgment of God. What does the final chapter before that teach us?

CYCLES AND CRASHES: This era of Israeli history comes to a final descent. - 2 Chronicles 36:1-14. - Let’s talk for a moment about cycles vs crashes. Cycles are those ups and downs that are part of everyday life. They are what we expect. Things are a little better then they’re a little worse but ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 36:1-23

Denomination: Baptist