Sermons on Jim:

How To Be Great In Jesus’ Kingdom Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 24, 2020

Jesus calls us to be servant rather than elevating themselves. What exactly should we do if we do want to be great?

IS IT WRONG TO WANT TO BE "GREAT"? Jesus doesn’t say “don’t be great” but instead tells them how to be great. - Luke 22:24-27. - Matthew 5:19; Matthew 20:26; Mark 10:43. - It could have been when the disciples argued over being great that Jesus replied, “No. You will never be great. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:24-27

Denomination: Baptist

When Church Seems Like A Fly-By-Night Operation Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 27, 2020

It's easy to look at your local church and be underwhelmed by what you see. Jesus' words here point us toward a higher vision of the Kingdom that He is inaugurating.

AMATEUR HOUR: Sometimes the church can seem like a fly-by-night operation. - We all have stories of churches behaving poorly. We all have stories of churches who were laughably bad at what they were doing. - I remember as a young Christian being preached at by my pastor that we should bring our ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:28-30

Denomination: Baptist

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

Facing Resistance To The Gospel Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 6, 2020

Jesus tells His followers that He is being numbered among the transgressors. What does that mean for us today as we try to follow Him?

WHAT I DON'T KNOW: What exactly is going on with the swords here? - Luke 22:36, 38. - The references to swords garner the most attention from most readers. They are intriguing statements that are not easily understood. - I wish I could tell you that I have an incisive, succinct explanation ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:35-38

Denomination: Baptist

Unrepentant Sin Of The World Versus Unrepentant Sin Of The Church Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 14, 2020

Does God treat the unrepentant sin of the church differently than the unrepentant sin of the world?

AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE: Amos opens with God’s wrath for everyone. - Amos 1:1-2:16. - Maybe just focus on the nations’ part under this point. - What does the “three sins, even four” mean? - God is not saying, “I would stop if you would do three or four sins,” although it kind of sounds like ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Is God’s Will An Inscrutable Mystery? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 21, 2020

Many complain that God's will is impossible to discern. God proclaims here, though, that He is regularly and clearly speaking through His prophets.

KEEPING US IN THE DARK? Is God’s will an inscrutable mystery? - Amos 3:3-7. - It is a common complaint that God’s will is an inscrutable mystery? Who can discern that hand of God? Who can understand the mind of the Lord? - And so many presume that because it is an impossibility to understand ...read more

Scripture: Amos 3:3-7

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

Is This Vision From God?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 22, 2020

When is a vision actually from God?

A DIVINE VISION? Not every spiritual vision is from God. - People sometimes get overly impressed by spiritual visions. People sometimes uncritically accept any claim of a spiritual vision without considering whether it’s true or not. - We want to discuss spiritual vision in this message and ...read more

Scripture: Job 4:12-21

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is In The Blood

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jul 31, 2020

There could never be a more personal, more sacrificial or more sacred expression of God’s saving love than the shed blood of Jesus.

“Life is in the Blood” Hebrews 9:11-15, 19-28 Two missionary doctors working in India, both surgeons, were frustrated by the unwillingness of most Indians to donate blood. To the Indians, blood was life, and they couldn’t get past the idea of sacrificing any of their precious life-force. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:11-28

Is This The End? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 5, 2020

This sermon begins the "Is This the End?" sermon series by looking at three of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes to the end times.

- About fifteen years ago, a giant, killer hurricane was heading out of the Atlantic heading for New Orleans. This caused enormous fear, because New Orleans was judged to not be ready for a direct hit from a hurricane. There were mandatory evacuations of seven parishes as well as voluntary ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Respond To Jesus’ End Times’ Teaching Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 12, 2020

After sharing His teaching about the end times in chapter 24, Jesus shares what we should do with that knowledge. What does He say?

WHAT DO I DO WITH THIS END TIMES' KNOWLEDGE JESUS JUST GAVE? Guess when? Study endlessly? Or be ready? - Matthew 24:36; Matthew 25:1-13. - Most of chapter 24 was Jesus answering His disciples’ question about the end times. We will go back and discuss the specifics of that in upcoming ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 24:42-44, Matthew 24:37-39, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 7:24-26, Matthew 24:45-51  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

What Are The Signs Of The End Of The Age? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 13, 2020

In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus shares numerous key details about the signs of the end. This message examines five of the things He shares.

THE FINALE: There is an end to this age. - Matthew 24:3-14. - There are a myriad of thoughts about what the future looks like: a. Some presume a dystopian future. b. Some presume unending progress. c. Some presume A.I. will outpace us. d. Some presume that we will destroy ourselves. e. Some ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Miracle Of Grace

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 15, 2020

Grace is the kind, merciful, generous love of God for us, and the essence of our witness in the world.

During a conference on World Religions, scholars were debating what belief, if any, was unique to the Christian faith. They agreed that it wasn’t morality, or compassion, or a belief in judgement and an afterlife. Other great religions included those same teachings. So the question was ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-10

The Next Event On The End Times’ Timeline Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 17, 2020

This sermon looks at the Rapture and the details surrounding it.

WHAT'S THE NEXT EVEN ON THE END TIMES' TIMELINE? The Rapture. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. a. First, like much of the end times’ timeline, this is not something we would necessarily guess. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – “we do not want you to be ignorant” - This points to it being something ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54

Denomination: Baptist