Sermons on Jim:

Plan The Work, Part 3: Defend The Plan Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 21, 2009

When a leader knows, through prayer and the confirmation of God’s people, that he is in the will of God, he must defend his plan against ungodly opposition.

One of the great lessons we get from the book of Nehemiah is that opposition is not a onetime deal. It would be nice if we could just deal with opposition once and be done with it, wouldn’t it? But we can’t. Because as long as we are doing the work that God calls us to do, we will have to face ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:19-20

Denomination: Baptist

Word Or Wonders? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Mar 21, 2009

Why are you believing Jesus? Are you believing Him only for the miraculous things He is able to do for you? That’s why the Galileans welcomed Him and He marveled at their unbelief.

This morning we have reached a transition text. These three verses mark a transition from the wonderful revival that just happened in Samaria… to the time when Jesus went back home to Galilee. In one way, you can think of what has happened in chapter four up to this point as a stopover. Remember ...read more

Scripture: John 4:43-45

Denomination: Baptist

Behold The Lamb Of God Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Apr 7, 2009

Why is the Apostle John the only Gospel writer to record the words of John the Baptist referring to Jesus as the Lamb of God? We will discover the answer to that question in this topical message titled Behold the Lamb of God.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ The words that John the Baptist chose to describe Jesus are very interesting. As a matter of fact, Jesus is only specifically called the Lamb of God twice in the whole Bible—once here and once a few verses later in verse 36. There is no doubt that John the ...read more

Scripture: John 1:29

Denomination: Baptist

The Picture Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jul 20, 2009

Don’t you just love a good mystery? In today’s passage, Paul reveals the fact that marriage is a mystery. But it’s not just an ordinary mystery. Marriage is a mystery that reveals the true nature of Jesus and the love He has for His bride, the church.

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ In just these few verses, Paul tells us that this thing called marriage is a picture. In the working out of what it means to be husband and wife, married couples paint a picture of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the unique role of a man being a husband, he is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33

Denomination: Baptist

I Thought We Were Finished? Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Jul 20, 2009

How do you feel when you finish accomplishing a task for the Lord? When you finish that task, does it mean that you’re mission is accomplished? Every accomplishment, every victory, every step along the way is just a step in accomplishing the mission tha

http://brushforkbanner.blogspot.com/ I want to take you for a few minutes back to another scene in biblical history. Think back to the time when Israel first entered into the Promised Land. They had just wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They stood on the banks of the Jordan and God gave ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-73

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Grand Finale

Contributed by Jim Nicodem on Jul 22, 2009

An eight-point message on the importance and relevance of Jesus’ ascension.

INTRO: An American tourist was visiting England on his summer vacation. -As the 4th of July approached, he wondered how the British would celebrate America’s Independence Day. -So, he asked one of his tour guides: Does England have a 4th of July? (2X) -You can imagine the tour guide’s sarcastic ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Have A Prodigal Child

Contributed by Jim Nicodem on Jul 22, 2009

A message addressing how parents can love and help their prodigal or wayward son or daughter.

INTRO: Franklin was a rebellious kid--even though his parents raised him with fair and loving discipline. -His dad, in fact, was a well-respected leader--consistently listed among the top 10 "most admired" people in the country! -When Franklin reached high school age, his mom and dad sent him to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

David And His Prodigal

Contributed by Jim Nicodem on Jul 22, 2009

A message to encourage parents from the story of Amnon and Tamar.

INTRO: Parenting is hard work! To do the job well requires a lot of time and effort and intentionality on the part of moms and dads. -Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for parents to become increasingly lax about their child-raising responsibilities over time. It’s not uncommon for parents to ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A World Of Hurt

Contributed by Jim Nicodem on Jul 22, 2009

A message detailing humanity’s responsibility to God and each other to take care of the planet.

Intro: Several years ago, my car was in the body shop for an extended period of time -- and so, a friend of mine offered me the use of one of his cars. It was a Cadillac. I wasn’t used to driving such a nice car. I tried to refuse my friend’s offer -- but he insisted. I was "forced" to bum around ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Can I Keep From Backsliding?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 3, 2009

A sermon on the importance of repentance for Christians.

How Can I Keep From Backsliding? To repent means to do a 180 degree turn. - Revelation 2:5; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 2:21-22; Revelation 3:3, Revelation 3:19. We all know that that repentance is a part of becoming a Christian. - Revelation 2:21-22. - At least, I hope we do. - Fernando ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:5

Denomination: Baptist

Can I Be Honest To God?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 6, 2009

A look at the invitation (and the need) for us to be bold and honest in our talking with God.

Is it ok to question God? - The presumption is usually that the answer is “no.” - Just sit down and shut up. Just take it. - When you hear people pray, a lot of the praying is very rote and formulaic. It’s pretty rare that you’ll hear someone really bearing their heart to God. It’s even ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:16-33

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

Understanding God's Word, Part 1: The Message Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009

This is the first of four messages titled, "Understanding God"s Word." Today, we will see that in order to understand God’s Word, we must have the right message.

I have looked forward to this chapter ever since I started preaching in Ezra, two years ago. When we were in Ezra, we looked at what I consider to be my life-verse. Ezra 7:10 says, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Family Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009

Because everyone has sinned, everyone needs forgiveness. That is especially true within families. How does forgiveness play out in our families?

You might have heard the name Clara Barton before. After the Civil War, she helped organize the American Red Cross. One day a friend came up to her and reminded her of something awful that someone had done to her in the past. When her friend brought it up to her, she looked at her like she ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Permanence Of Marriage Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Aug 18, 2009

Is divorce ever an option? We will look at that in this sermon titled, "The Permanence of Marriage."

Sometimes we get to look at easy passages. Sometimes we have to look at difficult passages. This is a difficult passage. But when we think about it, most of Jesus’ teachings are difficult. They are difficult because they force us to confront things in our life that we don’t want to. They force ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 19:1-11

Denomination: Baptist