Sermons on Jim:

Believing The Great Promises Of God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

An invitation to expect greater things from God.

- This passage can be taken in at least two ways. One is the proximate interpretation, which involves the return of Israel to their land. A second also concerns Israel’s return to their land, but in a longer timeframe. A third is that the promises here for Israel believing the great promises of ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 10:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Response To Our Stubborn Disobedience Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

The destruction of the Temple highlights Israel's disobedience. What can we learn from that?

WHAT IS THIS PROPHECY ABOUT? The destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. - Zechariah 11:1-17. - Verses 1-3 tell us that the destruction is coming. PIECES OF THE PROPHECY: 1. Selfish shepherds. - Zechariah 11:4-5. - Matthew 23:4-7; John 11:48. - Zechariah speaks here as though he is in the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 11:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The More Amazing Thing Than God’s Victory At Armageddon Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A fascinating passage about the military victory of Israel at Armageddon as well as the even more amazing thing that happens because of that victory.

- Set up Armageddon. - Joel 3:9-16; Zechariah 12:1-9; Zechariah 14:2-3; Revelation 16:16-21. - The great Gentile attack on Israel is called the battle of Armageddon. WHO BRINGS THE MILITARY VICTORY? God is the One making this victory happen. - Zechariah 12:1, 2, 3, 9. a. v. 1 – Three ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 12:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Just Enough Truth Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

What would it be like to live in a world where deception was shunned?

AN AMAZING THOUGHT: What would it be like to live in a world where deception was shunned? - Zechariah 13:2-6. PART OF OUR GOAL RIGHT NOW: Passionately pursue truth. - What gets in the way: a. We settle for our comfort over truth. b. We docilely accept the things we’ve been taught. c. We ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Bloody Plan Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A look at the striking price of the plan that God has.

- Open: - We all love the Christmas season. The lights of the tree, the warm gathering with family, the birth of the Savior. - There is a part of the Christmas story that we don’t like, though. It doesn’t fit with our warm light, soft focus Christmas. - Matthew 2:13-18 tells us of the ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 13:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

The Moment When Jesus’ Feet Touch The Mount Of Olives Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 18, 2019

A detailed and compelling vision of the return of Christ. What happens when Jesus' feet touch the Mount of Olives?

[Divide into two parts?] - This passage contains detailed prophecy about the return of Christ – specifically, the moment when Jesus’ feet touch the Mount of Olives. - We are going to cover a lot tonight, but there is so much interesting and compelling details here that I don’t want to ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean To Be "highly Favored" By God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 22, 2019

The prosperity gospel tells us that "favor" means God makes our lives easier and more prosperous. But here, Mary is called "highly favored." What does that mean for Mary and what can we learn from her?

PROSPERITY GOSPEL: Some people today teach that having “God’s favor” means unlimited blessings. - This is true of prosperity gospel preachers, but it’s also true of a lot of American Christians who know a lot more about America than the New Testament. WHAT DID "FAVOR WITH GOD" ACTUALLY ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-31

Denomination: Baptist

When God’s Promises Seem Too Good To Be Real Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 23, 2019

Mary's response to Gabriel's message is surprising. The message is unexpectedly encouraging, yet the Bible says she was deeply troubled. Are there times when God gives us good news but we don't treat it like good news?

THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE: Gabriel’s message was unexpectedly encouraging yet troubling to Mary. - Luke 1:28-29. - The message and the response don’t immediately line up. Let’s start with the response: v. 29 tells us that Mary was greatly troubled. Given that response, you would presume that the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-30

Denomination: Baptist

Why Can Spiritual Stuff Be So Scary? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary was "greatly troubled" by the appearance of the angel. Many are in a similar spot - "greatly troubled" by all things spiritual. What can help them take a step forward?

“GREATLY TROUBLED”: Spiritual stuff can be scary. - Luke 1:29. - An angel shows up to speak to Mary. On the one hand, the angel is light and not wielding a sword, so there is a sense in which he shouldn’t be scary. But, of course, we don’t see angelic beings very often and I’m sure his presence ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-33

Denomination: Baptist

Limiting What God Can Do Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 1, 2019

Mary expresses disbelief that she, a virgin, could fulfill the angel's prediction of a baby. We too often limit what we believe God is capable of.

HE CAN'T DO THAT: We limit in our minds what we believe God can do. - Luke 1:34. - There is no doubt that the angel’s message about the virgin birth is a lot to take in. Because of that, it’s easy for us to be sympathetic toward Mary. We would no doubt have also struggled with this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-34

Denomination: Baptist

The Law Of The Harvest

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 12, 2021

The good seeds we plant, through our thoughts and actions and habits, will bear fruit through the faithful blessing of God. He’s more than ready to do his part, if we’ll only do ours. That’s “the law of the harvest."

Retired Admiral William McCraven was a Navy SEAL for 36 years, last serving as commander of US Special Operations. He describes the SEAL version of basic training, and some of the life lessons it taught him, in a book he’s written called “Make Your Bed.” Here’s what he says about that simple ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:7-9

The Antidote To The ‘kindly Grandfather’ God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 16, 2024

This passage is a stark contrast to the "kindly grandfather" image of God that many had. What are the specific ways that shows up here?

JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE: Many people like to think of God as a kindly grandfather. - Ezekiel 5:1. - There is a popular conception of God as a kindly (and slightly senile) grandfather in the sky. He’s not going to rebuke you for anything you’re doing. He’s going to ask if everyone had a good time. And ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 5:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

When Money Isn’t Valuable Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 29, 2024

This verse depicts a scene where formerly-valued gold and silver becomes worthless. What can we learn about money from this scenario?

EZEKIEL'S PROPHECY: There will time when money won’t be valuable. - Ezekiel 7:19. - Earlier in the chapter (vv. 1-6), multiple references to the End. Other references in this passage to economic instability (vv. 12-13 on property). - Disaster and catastrophe will come upon this people. This ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 7:19

Denomination: Baptist

Do I Want God To Forgive Me As I Forgive Others? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 20, 2025

Jesus puts forward challenging words in the second half of v. 12 - calling us to ask for forgiveness in the same way we have forgiven others. Verses 14-15 emphasize the expectation from God that we will forgive others as part of having been forgiven by Him. What happens when we live this out?

DOES THIS SCARE ME? Do I want God to forgive me as I forgive others? - Matthew 6:12b, 14-15. - I said last week as we unpacked the first half of v. 12 that we often don’t put a lot of thought into what that actually means. In that case it had to do with making confession of our sins a regular ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

What Does It Mean That God Has Given Us An "inheritance"?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 29, 2025

It's an odd phrase: we have been given an "inheritance" in Christ? What does that mean? It's not like God is going to die! The phrase doesn't actually point us toward death but toward the Exodus. What can we learn from that reference?

WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES THAT MEAN? What does Paul mean when he speaks of us having an “inheritance” in the Lord? - Ephesians 1:14; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 3:24. - This is a phrase that has bothered me for a long time and I didn’t really have a great answer to it. There are a few places in his ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14

Denomination: Baptist