Sermons on Jim:

Under The Mercy

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Aug 27, 2020

We're all sinners, saved only by the great mercy of God.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 (Greet the congregation with “Good morning, saints.” After they reply, greet them again with “Good morning, sinners.” They’ll probably miss a beat before replying, but the point will be made.) We’re both saints and sinners, aren’t we? We’re saints seeking God, and sinners ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

What Is The Millennium? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 28, 2020

This sermon attempts to give an overview of the Millennium, the reasons why there needs to be a Millennium, and what impact the Millennium should have on our lives as Christians now.

WHAT IS THE MILLENNIUM? The thousand-year reign of Jesus on the earth after the Tribulation. - Revelation 20:1-6. - We don’t get a ton of information in this brief passage about it, but we want to unpack what we are told here as well as bring in the numerous Old Testament references to this ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 20:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

How Sin Gets Us To Bite The Hook Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Sep 1, 2020

Paul tells us that Satan can appear as an angel of light. That is a clear picture of the way that Satan and temptation works. What can we learn from it?

[Have a fishing pole with a hooked worm.] SATAN APPEARS AS AN ANGEL OF LIGHT: Sin takes what is good and twists it just enough. - 2 Corinthians 11:14. - Genesis 3:1. - What does it mean that Satan appears as an angel of light? It means that Satan in tempting us often comes to us in the form of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

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

Finding God's Blessing After We've Been Wandering Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This sermon discusses the need to return to God, not just return to doing good. Is religious activity enough to get God's blessing?

- Background on the book: - Addressed to the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in 538 B.C. Two years later they started to work on the temple, but opposition led that to be put aside for 16 years. - This opening statement comes right after the restarting of the temple project. - ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Jesus Is Doing When He Seems Distant Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Where is God when He seems distant?

- The Jews here had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. They were surrounded by strong enemies and their attempts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem had just gotten restarted. - Here we have eight night visions designed to encourage God’s people. As I noted last week, the theme of Zechariah can ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 1:7-17

Denomination: Baptist

When The World Becomes Too Enticing Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Some important reminders for those who are enticed to run with the world.

- This sermon handles the second vision (1:18-21) and the third vision (2:1-13). - It is tempting to spiritualize the truths contained in this passage, but I think there is a larger truth that is well worth our time in focusing on the straightforward, long-term truth shared here. - In some ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

A Picture Of Salvation Before Salvation Was Possible Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

An amazing prophecy that points us directly to what Jesus did for us.

A PICTURE OF SALVATION BEFORE SALVATION WAS POSSIBLE: - “Angel of the Lord” generally means pre-incarnate Jesus in OT passages. 1. We are morally filthy. - Zechariah 3:3. - Isaiah 64:6. - The Hebrew for “filthy” literally means “excrement-covered.” 2. Satan (accurately) accuses us. - ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Encouraging Vision For The Spiritually Overwhelmed Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This vision points us to the great power of the Spirit.

- The last vision concerned cleansing our souls; this vision concerns our work for God. WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM? 1. The solid gold lampstand symbolizes our work to shine the light to the nations. - Zechariah 4:2, 10b. - 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6-7. - The obvious symbolism of a light points toward ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 4:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

When The Word Brings The Nuclear Option Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This vision points us to the destructive power of the Word when people reject it.

WHAT DOES THE VISION MEAN? 1. God’s Word is not hidden and is seeking you out. - Zechariah 5:1-2. - Let’s begin with the vision statement in v. 2 and its three pieces. a. “Scroll.” - This obviously points us to God’s Word. A scroll is parchment with writing, which is how the manuscripts were ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Downside Of An Economic Upturn Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

We as Americans are consumed with prosperity. This passage points out the place of prosperity in the rise and power of Babylon in the end times.

- To gain the world and lost your (national) soul, that’s indeed a tragedy. - We want to talk about gaining the world tonight and what the tragic cost sometimes is. FOURTH OF JULY CHURCH SERVICE: We praise God for letting us participate in America’s prosperity. - Churches often celebrate God’s ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 5:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

When The Spirit Can Finally Rest Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A look at the time when the Spirit can rest because victory has come.

THE FINAL VISION FOR ZECHARIAH: There will come a time when the Spirit can finally rest. - Zechariah 6:1-8. - In v. 8 we find an interesting phrase. I want to start there and then explain how we get there. Earlier in Zechariah prophetic visions we saw the idea of the Spirit restlessly moving to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 6:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Do We Have To Keep Being Extra Faithful? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

Our religious ritual can make us feel like we are the extra faithful when we are really failing to give God what He wants.

- We had several night visions one after the other in the chapters up to this point in Zechariah. As we come into chapter 7, two years have passed. And there are signs of progress on the temple – the walls are rising! - So is everything great? Not exactly. - The people of Bethel come with a ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 7:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

An Astounding Picture Of Israel In The Millennium Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This passage gives us fascinating insights into God's blessing of the Israeli people during the Millennium.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDER IN THE CHURCH AGE: God is not done with Israel yet. - Zechariah 8:2. WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE: 1. God’s presence will dwell in Jerusalem. - Zechariah 8:3a. 2. The Jews will worship and live in truth and holiness. - Zechariah 8:3b. 3. The world will have peace and ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 8:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

The Part Of The Bible About Alexander The Great – No, Seriously Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

This passage includes prophecy that was fulfilled in Alexander the Great's conquests, as well as a much better known prediction concerning a donkey.

- Context note: this begins a part of Zechariah that is probably written four or five decades after the previous sections. Israel has completed the Temple, but is still vulnerable to foreign powers. TWO AMAZING PROPHECIES IN CHAPTER NINE: 1. Alexander the Great destroys everyone except ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 9:1-17

Denomination: Baptist