Sermons on Jim:

Rising Popularity And The Upside-Down Kingdom Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 25, 2021

A golden opportunity for increased popularity presents itself, but Jesus uses the occasion to talk about what glory looks like in His "upside-down" kingdom.

THE MOST POPULAR GUY IN TOWN? Jesus’ popularity reaches a new level when even the Greeks are interested in Him. - John 12:20-22. A RELATED IDEA? Jesus’ response is focused on glory. - John 12:23. - Is Jesus interested in glory the way that everyone else is or is He pointing them toward ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-34

Denomination: Baptist

Washing Feet And A Kingdom Of Power Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 22, 2021

This passage gives us the dynamic example of Jesus washing feet. How can Jesus lay aside the traditional power structures to be able to live like that? The answer is in this passage.

PETER'S EMPHATIC "NO": Peter was deeply offended by Christ’s offer because he was still thinking of a traditional power structure. - John 13:6-10a. - The disciples were still expecting the inaugural of a traditional kingdom. - Rome was going to be overthrown, the Jewish nation was ...read more

Scripture: John 13:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

How God Responds To Our Generosity

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2019

It's difficult to be generous with our money. Seeing how God has promised to respond to our generosity is encouraging and that's exactly what this passage provides.

SCARED TO BE GENEROUS: “I would be more generous, but I’m barely making it now.” - We all know that generosity is admirable. We know that it’s embarrassing to be identified as being stingy. - But we struggle to be generous. One of the reasons that we don’t end up being as generous as we would ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8-9

Denomination: Baptist

What Prosperity Gospel Preachers Don’t Want You To Know Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 22, 2019

This passage includes the words "you will be made rich." Does that mean the prosperity gospel is true? Or is this passage actually pointing us toward using God's blessings in a way that doesn't further the American Dream?

A SWEET SOUND TO A PROSPERITY GOSPEL PREACHER: “You will be made rich.” - 2 Corinthians 9:11a – “You will be made rich.” - As most of you know, there is a heretical teaching that God’s purpose in your life is to shower you with material and financial blessings. Under this teaching, signs of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

What Are The Results Of My Generosity? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 24, 2019

What can I expect to see happen when I am generous? Obviously, the financial need will be met, but is there more beyond that? This passage points to 7 results.

THE RESULT OF MY GENEROSITY? We usually presume the only result of my generosity is that a need gets met. - There is a need expressed, someone gives, and so that need gets met. Game over, end of story, right? - We’ve been digging for weeks now into chapter 9, which has so much to teach about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Denomination: Baptist

When Paul Got One-Star Reviews

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 30, 2019

The Corinthians criticize Paul's preaching. What can we learn from this conflict?

[First half of church fight story from Andy Stanley about his Dad - this can be found at the start of Andy Stanley's book Deep and Wide] TRASHING PAUL: It is both stunning and comforting that Paul got some negative reviews. - 2 Corinthians 10:1, 9-10. - We usually think of Paul as the great ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, 2 Corinthians 10:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Christian Response To A Church Fight Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 15, 2019

This challenging passage gives us insight into Paul's handling of contention.

- Let me acknowledge up front that this can be a challenging passage. It’s not easily clear how all the pieces go together. As we wander through these six verses, hopefully we can bring them together in a meaningful way. THE STARTING POINT OF THE CHURCH FIGHT: Paul didn’t measure up to their ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Five Ways To Stand In The Way Of Kingdom Growth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 22, 2019

Paul tells us where the false teachers were off-track. These aren't theological matters - so what are they doing that Paul rebukes?

- As we begin, let me give a little context to the situation Paul is addressing. Paul has been to Corinth but during his absence there were some false teachers who came in and began to move the Corinthian church in another direction. - This is an extension of the earlier part of this chapter, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Learning To Boast In The Lord Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 29, 2019

Paul instructs the Corinthians to "boast in the Lord." This sermon shares the most important truth toward doing that better.

A GOOD BOAST: How do I learn to boast in the Lord? - 2 Corinthians 10:17. - We are given the command here to boast in the Lord. That’s not necessarily something that we’re particularly good at. - How do we do better at it? I want to look at a key truth that will help us to better boast in the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

How To Avoid False Teachers Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 4, 2019

This sermon examines three key truths in avoiding false teachers.

THE FIGHT: The purity of the message and the church matter. - 2 Corinthians 11:1-2. a. The purity of the message matters. - This passage as a whole brings out the importance of believing the truth. It matters that the message is true. - Many today say that it doesn’t matter when you believe as ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Five Insights The ‘bride Of Christ’ Analogy Gives

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jun 7, 2019

The "bride of Christ" analogy is one that can be difficult. Looking at several of the New Testament passages referencing that, this sermon unpacks five ideas about the church being the "bride of Christ."

- Beautiful but opaque analogy of the church as the bride of Christ. What does that mean? - That nature and frequency of analogies in the Bible. - The Bible often uses similar analogies as word pictures of who we are. A few examples: a. The branch. - In John 15 Jesus refers to Himself as the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-2, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:9, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Salt Of The Earth

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Apr 29, 2020

The phrase "salt of the earth" has become a commonly used expression in our society. The dictionary defines it as used in reference to "a very good and honest person or group," but that doesn't begin to do justice to what Jesus had in mind in this teaching.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:13) Salt today has become such a commonplace part of our lives, available in every home or restaurant, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13

Ask And You Will Receive

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 1, 2020

Faithful, believing, heartfelt prayer is a game-changer.

“Ask and You Will Receive” After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, in which evangelist D.L. Moody’s church was destroyed, he decided to take a trip to England as a sort of educational sabbatical while the new sanctuary was being built. He wanted to learn from some of his British counterparts in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Strength For Today

Contributed by Jim Keegan on May 6, 2020

Jesus wants us to see the alternative to worry: a life of peace and joy and trust.

“Strength for Today” “I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

The False Security That Our Wealth Brings Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 12, 2020

God thunders His displeasure with the wealthy. How can we find our security in God instead of money?

A GATED COMMUNITY: Money can bring a false sense of security. - Amos 3:15. - Some aspects: a. We use it separate ourselves. - You see this physically in the way in most places neighborhoods are divided by income. We’ve reached a certain level and so we don’t have to hang out with those from ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:13-15

Denomination: Baptist