Sermons on Jim:

Jesus’ Response To Our False Confidence, Struggle, And Failure Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 31, 2020

Jesus predicts Peter's denial. These verses give us three harsh realities and three promising truths.

- This section comes right after a couple verses about being conferred a kingdom and the ultimate victory that kingdom will experience. In the meantime, though, there are the challenges of real life. Three Harsh Realities in this Passage: 1. The reality of false confidence. - Luke ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

When We Don’t Have Enough Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 10, 2020

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 (really, probably the 20,000) is a story about asking God to move in bigger ways that we have the resources to move ourselves.

MORE THAN A MEAL: Jesus was testing His disciples. - John 6:6. - John tells that Jesus is doing this to test the disciples. Obviously, throughout His three years of ministry He was pushing them to grow and learn the lessons of the Kingdom. - Now, He asks them to sort out this difficult ...read more

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Shepherd's Voice

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 20, 2020

God is the faithful shepherd of our souls, who loves us and wants to guide, protect and care for us. May we listen well for his voice--through Scripture, prayer and fellow believers.

“The Shepherd’s Voice” John 10:1-15 Read John 10:1-15 The owner of a sheep ranch in Australia was arrested and charged with stealing his neighbor’s sheep. He vigorously maintained his innocence, however, claiming it was one of his own flock who had been missing, whom he had merely recovered ...read more

Scripture: John 10:1-15

How Elizabeth Encouraged Mary Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 23, 2020

Mary has just received overwhelming news. To whom does she look? Elizabeth is the only one in the world that she knows of also dealing with a miraculous birth, so she quickly turns to her. How can we encourage others like Elizabeth encouraged Mary?

SOMEONE ELSE: Mary was encouraged by what God was doing in Elizabeth’s life. - Luke 1:36, 39. - Mary had gotten mind-blowing news. Why did the angel mention Elizabeth? Because Elizabeth had gone through something similar. Certainly it was not a virgin pregnancy, but it nonetheless was a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-41

Denomination: Baptist

He Had To Be One Of Us!

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Nov 26, 2020

We cannot save ourselves or meet our deepest spiritual and emotional needs. Jesus had to become one of us to save us, to represent us and, to help us.

“Puppies for Sale,” the sign said, and a young boy came to inquire. “I’d like to buy one, if they don’t cost too much.” “Well, son, they’re $25.” The boy was crushed. “I’ve only got $2.05. Could I see them anyway?” “Sure,” said the kind gentleman. The boy’s eyes danced at the sight of 5 little fur ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When My Situation Seems Impossible Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 30, 2020

The angel tells Mary that nothing is impossible with God. This sermon looks at five things that seem impossible that God has made possible.

“NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD”: “Well, then, give me a million dollars!” - Luke 1:37. - Shallow requests. WHAT ARE SOME WORTHWHILE REQUESTS THAT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE? 1. “I wish I could have my slate wiped clean.” - Luke 24:47. - Matthew 26:28; Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 9:22. - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

How Does Trust Lead To Power? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 2, 2020

This sermon looks at Mary's submission to the angel's message, saying that she is the Lord's servant. What can we learn from Mary? And how does having trust in God lead to seeing power from God?

“I DON'T WANT TO BE A SERVANT!”: How does trust lead to power? - Luke 1:38. - We don’t want to be a servant. - It’s challenging for us today to embrace being a servant. We are far more familiar with being a consumer, where we are the one who is being served and whose needs are being ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:34-38

Denomination: Baptist

Brother Jesus

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 3, 2020

God, in Jesus, identifies with us and reveals his love for us in as real and personal a way as possible. And the more we come to understand and appreciate the full humanity of Christ, the stronger our relationship with God will be.

Hebrews 2:10-18 (Read Hebrews 2:10-11, 14-18) In 1980 a woman named Rosie Ruiz ran the NY City Marathon and finished first in the Women’s Division--or so it seemed initially. After she received the star treatment at the finish line, though, some of the event staff realized that they hadn’t ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

A Living Hope

Contributed by Jim Moynihan on Dec 7, 2020

Biblical hope is a sure thing, not a maybe thing.

In his book, "Come Thirsty (pages 47-48)," Max Lucado tells a story of a little Haitian Orphan by the name of Carinette. He says that she lived in a different world, a world called, “home-to-be.” "See the slender girl wearing the pink shirt? The girl with the long nose and bushy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Jesus Downplayed The Miracles Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 9, 2020

Jesus does back-to-back miracles: the mass feeding and then walking on water. But He downplays both miracles. Why would He do that?

WHAT JESUS WALKING ON WATER ACCOMPLISHED: Seeing this miracle strengthened the disciples’ faith in Jesus. - John 6:16-21. - Matthew 14:28-33. - The disciples have just seen Jesus multiply the loaves. It is an incredible miracle that they got to see happen up close. - That evening, Jesus sends ...read more

Scripture: John 6:16-29

Denomination: Baptist

Why They Turned Down The Bread Of Life Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 15, 2020

This section is lengthy and confusing. There is a lot going on. This message unpacks it by focusing on five of the key reasons the crowd rejects Jesus here.

- A couple things up front. - First, there is a lot in this passage, yet the passage needs to be taken together. A lot of ideas are brought out, but it’s all a cohesive whole. So we are going to cover a lot of ground this evening. - Second, there is so much in this passage that there are ...read more

Scripture: John 6:30-71

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Listen

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 21, 2020

Modern society is very functionally oriented, and that tendency has carried over into the way we pray. The Kingdom of God, however, is far more relational, and we would do well to learn that way of being in God’s presence.

Listening Prayer Luke 1:5-23, 76-79 [Read Luke 1:5-23] It was the middle of the morning at the Temple in Jerusalem. A group of about fifty priests were gathered to cast lots to determine who would have the honor of entering into the Most Holy Place to offer incense at the altar. The burning of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-23

Everyone Has An Opinion About Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 22, 2020

This passage gives us the (questionable) opinions of three groups about Jesus. How did Jesus stay focused amid disparate viewpoints?

DISINFORMATION, AGENDAS, FEARS, AND UNCERTAINTY: Everyone has an opinion about Jesus, but most of them are wrong. - John 7:1-14. - We live in a time when people often talk as though all opinions are equally valid. You have your opinion and I have mine and we can both be right. (This is often ...read more

Scripture: John 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Repentance

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Dec 27, 2020

Repentance isn’t a one-time change of heart, but it should be an integral part of our spiritual growth. It’s been said that the essential quality of a saint is to have a repentant heart. That requires a sensitive conscience and a teachable spirit.

“Repentance” Matthew 3:1-12 [Read Mt. 3:1-12] I was once asked to preach a revival at a neighboring church, and when I accepted the host pastor told me, “Don’t hold back. The harder the preaching, the more they like it.” That statement took me by surprise. I’m still not sure if that was true ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-12

How Is Jesus’ Way Different From The Law? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 8, 2021

This passage highlights how different what Jesus is bringing is from what the religious teachers were offering. How exactly is Jesus' way different?

THE JEWS' PLAN: 1. THEIR SYSTEM WAS THE LAW. - John 7:21-24. - The miracle that is referred to in v. 21 is almost certainly the healing at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15). John records miracles after that, but that was the miracle that brought out the issue of healing on the Sabbath. ...read more

Scripture: John 7:14-24

Denomination: Baptist