Sermons on Jim Schaunessey:

Funeral - Christian Man Who Died After A Prolonged Illness Series

Contributed by Jim Kilson on Nov 17, 2014

Funeral - Christian man who died after a prolonged illness. Can be adapted for most situations.

(1) Song – How Great thou Art (2) Scripture – 2nd Samuel 3:38 (3) Prayer (4) Message Part 1 There are 5 men identified in scripture as “great” men, men such as Moses, Daniel, and Naaman. These are the words of King David to his men at the death of the great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 3:38

Denomination: Christian Church

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

Time Is Sacred

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Mar 13, 2023

We as Christians march to the beat of a different drummer, and that’s also true in how we relate to the spiritual dimension of time.

Ephesians 5: 15-17; Colossians 4:5 It was a tradition for the faculty of a southern seminary to meet together every morning before their 8 am classes for a time of Bible study and prayer. These sessions were scheduled to conclude by 7:55 at the latest, in order for everyone to be on time for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17, Colossians 4:5

Being A Part Of God’s Story Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 28, 2023

The dreams of Joseph lay out the larger vision of what God will fulfill in His life. What can we learn from it about the way God works?

- Sermon series: “Character Amid Crisis.” - Joseph is not necessary the most important of the OT characters. That would probably go to Abraham or Moses or David. But I think Joseph stands as the greatest saint of the OT in his behavior. He doesn’t have the major lapses in his behavior like most of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

"When ‘bad Luck’ Knocks Us Down” Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 4, 2023

The story of Joseph being sold into slavery provides a compelling example of moments when it seems like "bad luck" has come our way when God may be up to something else.

WHY DID THAT HAPPEN? There are moments when we feel like bad luck knocked us down. - We will get into the specifics that this passage details as we go through the sermon, but this is obviously a passage with some “just-so-happened” moments. - To use the common vernacular, someone might say, “Oh, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-36

Denomination: Baptist

"five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 5, 2023

Joseph's encounters with Potiphar's wife provides a template of temptation that is difficult to overcome. What warnings do we get here?

Five Things That Make Temptation More Difficult: 1. When you’re experiencing God’s favor. - Genesis 39:4, 21. - When God seems to be blessing everything you’re doing, it’s easy to start to presume on that. This is one reason why we often see pastors who are in the midst of a strong ministry get ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

When Do We Take Pleasure In The Death Of The Wicked? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2024

A look at the ways we have allowed the culture war to make us hate those God called us to love as well as put secondary things first.

- [Maybe put this made-up passage up on the screen or in the sermon outline.] - Imagine that there is a Romans 17. (I’m not going heretical here - this is just a thought experiment with a point.) Imagine that at the end of Paul’s letter he shared some additional advice. - Let’s say that Romans 17 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:23

Denomination: Baptist

When We Ignore The "signs" Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 24, 2024

This verse points out that the Sabbath was intended to be a sign but that Israel wasn't actually obeying it. What are some ways we do similar things today?

GIVE ME A SIGN: God says here that the Sabbath was intended as a sign. - Ezekiel 20:10-12. - These verses tell us that God brought Israel out of Egypt. He gave them the Mosaic Law as a path toward life and peace. And one of the signs He gave them was the Sabbath. - What exactly does it mean that ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 20:12

Denomination: Baptist

Why Is There So Little Fear Of God’s Judgment Today? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 6, 2024

This passage gives us an example of people not ready for God's impending judgment. Why today are so many equally unready?

NOT CONCERNED: Why is there so little fear of God’s judgment today? - Ezekiel 21:7. - It’s without question that today there is little fear of God’s judgment. There’s little belief in Final Judgment but only a vague hope of a heavenly reunion. The idea that we are somehow accountable for the sin ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 21:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

When Christians Try To Predict The Future Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 7, 2024

The ancient phrase "examine the liver" tells of a Babylonian way to try to predict the future. We can shake our head at that, but there's a way we do the same thing today.

“EXAMINE THE LIVER”: This was an ancient Babylonian process to try to discern the future. - Ezekiel 21:21. - I’m quite confident that I’ve never heard a sermon on this obscure phrase in this obscure corner of the Bible, but I think it’s interesting and sets up an important point about prophecy ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 21:18-27

Denomination: Baptist

When There Is No One To Stand In The Gap Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 18, 2024

God makes a stunning statement here: there is no one left to stand in the gap on behalf of Israel. What does this passage tell us about the specific shortcomings of the people of God and the prophets of God in that day? And can this text encourage us today to stand strong amid a dark hour?

OFF-TRACK: The American church is far from what we should be. - I think this is largely beyond dispute, so I won’t belabor the point. - Let me simply share one proof that I think is instructive. - When you look at the early chapters of Acts, there are many people who are coming to know Jesus. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Unjust To Ask Such A Sacrifice Of Ezekiel And His Wife? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 20, 2024

The tragic death of Ezekiel's wife is caused by God as a sign for Israel. Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice?

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS? Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice of Ezekiel and his wife? - Ezekiel 24:15-27. - This is just a tough passage, but it’s one that points us to an important truth that often gets overlooked in the American church. Let’s start by unpacking this passage and then we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Thanksgiving

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 27, 2024

As Christians, we walk in the beauty and glory of God's great love and mercy in Christ. What better reason could there ever be to thank God with all of our hearts, and with our very lives themselves?

"The Great Thanksgiving" Psalm 100 I once heard a pastor tell the story in a sermon of something that happened when he was visiting his brother in Florida. While there they decided to go deep-sea fishing on his brother’s boat. But after they were several miles out at sea and well out ...read more

How Do We Live Out This Salvation? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 11, 2023

Paul now shifts to a major misunderstanding about grace and explains what living out this salvation should look like.

A LOOPHOLE? Can we just keep sinning and use grace as an excuse? - Romans 6:1-2. a. Grace is the means by which salvation comes to us, but grace is easily misunderstood. - v. 1. - We closed out with grace last week. It’s the reality that we cannot earn our salvation but we receive it as a free ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

Denomination: Baptist