Sermons on Jim:

Why Don’t I Sense God’s Closeness More Often?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on May 3, 2018

Jesus said the kingdom is near, yet often we don't sense God's closeness. This sermon looks at five places where we're likely to meet God.

A GOOD QUESTION: Why don’t I sense God’s closeness more often? - Most of us can tell you about moments in our lives when we sensed God’s closeness. - One such moment for me was when the Holy Spirit spoke to me at 4 a.m. in Guangzhou, China. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so palpable and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:5-7

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Your One

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 5, 2017

Jesus already knows who we are trying to reach.

Title: Who Is Your One? Place: BLCC Date:7/2/17 Text: Luke 5.27-32 CT: Jesus already knows whom we are trying to reach. FAS: In his book The Gospel According to Jesus, Chris Seay mentions a profound lesson he learned from his father about loving the "bad people": Growing up, we didn't have a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:27-32

Denomination: Christian Church

Philippians 2-The Heart Of Christ

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 5, 2017

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ.

Title: Philippians 2-The Heart of Christ Date: 7/9/17 Place: BLCC Text: Philippians 2.5-11 CT: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Jesus Christ. [Screen 1] In his sermon titled "Think Hard, Stay Humble," Francis Chan told the following story about a man named Vaughn ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Christian Church

What Does It Mean That There Will Be A ‘davidic Branch’?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 5, 2017

A look at the nature of the "Davidic branch" prophecy.

Raising Up A Branch: The prophecy is that there will be a descendant of David who will fulfill these predictions. - Jeremiah 23:5. What Will That Look Like? 1. There will be a king. - Jeremiah 23:5. 2. He will be wise and just. - Jeremiah 23:5. 3. His people will live in safety. - ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Does God Have A Wonderful Plan For Your Life?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jul 14, 2017

This sermon looks at two of the common misinterpretations of this verse and two ideas that can help us understand it accurately.

- One of the most misinterpreted Scriptures is Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” - It’s usually used as a Superman verse. Any obstacle I face I can bat aside in the power of Jesus’ name! Any struggle I can end with a powerful word of prayer! Any need ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

Philippians-Grumbling

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Jul 15, 2017

We must shine as a witness for Christ without grumbling or arguing.

Title: Philippians 2-Grumbling Place: BLCC Date: 7/16/17 Text: Philippians 2.12-18 CT: We must shine as a witness for Christ without grumbling or arguing. [Screen 1] FAS: New research shows that many of us really do believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Researchers for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Christian Church

Jesus Our Isaac Within Series

Contributed by Jim Garlick on Jul 21, 2017

Walking in the Spirit

Jesus our Isaac within Galatians 4: 21-31 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:27

Ordinary Men

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Aug 7, 2017

We are to follow the example of the disciples to follow Jesus.

Title: Ordinary Men Date: 8/13/17 Place: BLCC Text: 1 Corinthians 1.26-29 CT: We are to follow the example of the disciples to follow Jesus. [Screen 1] FAS: A lady, who teaches first grade, told about an interaction she had with one of her students on the first day of school. Accustomed to going ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Denomination: Christian Church

The World As It Should Be

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 8, 2017

An encouraging passage in Jeremiah envisions the better world that is to come.

1. Israel has a checkered history of renewed commitments and broken promises. - Jeremiah 31:32. - Look up examples of this pattern: a. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. (Positive.) b. Judges 2:1-3. (Negative.) c. 1 Kings 8:54-65. (Positive.) d. 1 Kings 16:25-26. (Negative.) 2. The church age brought laws ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Know Jesus

Contributed by Jim Caswell on Aug 9, 2017

We are to truly know Jesus.

Sunday Night: Know Jesus Place: BLCC Date: 2/13/17 Text: John 7.25-31 CT: We are to truly know Jesus. When the Bible scholar N.T. (Tom) Wright was asked what he would tell his children on his deathbed he said, "Look at Jesus." Tom Wright explained why: The [Person] who walks out of [the pages of ...read more

Scripture: John 7:25-29

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Are John’s Disciples So Worried About Jesus’ Disciples Fasting?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 2, 2021

The question from John's disciples about fasting reveals a serious disconnect to what Jesus is trying to accomplish.

WHY DON'T THEY FAST? The question from John’s disciples shows that they missed the point that Jesus just made. - Matthew 9:13-14. - In v. 14, John’s disciples come and ask about why Jesus’ disciples aren’t fasting. In other gospels, it gives us more information that the Pharisees were in the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14

Denomination: Baptist

Could Mary Have Been Stoned For Adultery?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 3, 2021

The title question leads us into a deeper appreciation of the sacrifice that Joseph made in standing with Mary.

A QUESTION: Could Mary have been stoned for adultery? - Matthew 1:18-19. - This is a question that has bugged me for a while. If Mary is presumed to be an adulteress, could she have been stoned? WERE THEY MARRIED? Betrothal was more like marriage than engagement. - Matthew 1:18-19. - Unlike ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-19

Denomination: Baptist

How Simeon Had Peace At His Death Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 17, 2021

This sermon focuses on the interesting comment that Simeon makes that, having seen the Messiah, he is now ready to die in peace. What would it take for us to die in peace?

READY TO GO? What would make you say, “Now I can die in peace”? - I ask this question in the half-joking way that we usually use this phrase. Someone meets their sports hero and then says, “Now I can die in peace.” Some teen girls go see Shawn Mendes in concert and leave saying, “Now I can die ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-32

Denomination: Baptist

Simeon’s Answer To "hope So" Faith Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 23, 2021

Simeon says, "My eyes have seen your salvation." Could that be true today too?

A COMMON ANSWER ABOUT BEING SAVED: “I hope so.” - Often when you ask someone if they are going to heaven, they will answer, “I hope so.” - Or you might ask someone if they’re saved and they’ll reply, “I think so.” - [Maybe share those two as more developed stories.] - Maybe you’re in that ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-30

Denomination: Baptist

Marveling At Jesus Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Dec 2, 2021

They marveled over the things Simeon said about the Child King. What can we learn about Jesus from the other places in Luke where this Greek word for "marvel" shows up?

The Response to Simeon’s Words: They marveled at Jesus. - Luke 2:33. - Luke 2:18. - Same Greek word in both verses. - We are going to look at places in Luke (and one in Mark) where this Greek word shows up. What can we learn from it? Marveling at Jesus: 1. They marveled at His power. - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:25-33

Denomination: Baptist