Sermons on Jim:

Looking At Our Mess And Hopelessness, Where Was Jesus? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 24, 2024

The phrase "in the middle" appears early in Genesis, late in John, and late in Revelation. The connection between the three speaks to an amazing title for the cross of Jesus.

“Looking at Our Mess and Hopelessness, Where Was Jesus?” Genesis 2:4-9 - [There is a verse that needs to be quoted in the outline.] SERIES SET-UP: There are significant parallels between the beginning of Genesis and the end of John. - Genesis 1:1; John 1:1. - Romans 8:19-22. - This is not ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-9, John 19:17-18, Revelation 22:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Can We Become Something Better Than We Are? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 29, 2024

Adam is "the man." Christ is "the man." What do we learn from the first Adam and the second Adam?

A PROFOUND QUESTION: Can we become something better than we are? - Am I stuck being who I am? Is there hope for improvement? TWO REPRESENTATIVE MEN: There is a first Adam and there is a second Adam. - Genesis 2:7, 20; John 19:5. - This sermons series is about the parallels between the early ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I See God As Being Closer To Me? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 6, 2024

Genesis 2:7 speaks of Adam receiving the breath of life. John 20:22 speaks of Jesus giving the spiritual breath of life (the Holy Spirit). This sermon unpacks the parallels and their implications.

- As we have throughout this series, this morning I want to look at the connection between a passage early in Genesis and one late in John. We’ll start in Genesis 2:7. - In that verse it tells us that the “Lord God . . . breathed in [the man’s] nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:4-7, John 20:21-22

Denomination: Baptist

What Is The Importance Of The Wound In Jesus’ Side? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 16, 2024

What are the connections between the wound in Jesus' side and the wound in Adam's side for the creation of Eve?

- This sermon series is examining several of the parallels between the early chapters of Genesis and the late chapters of John. In particular, we are largely talking about the way that Jesus is “re-creating” things. - On the subject for today, there are actually four parallels within the larger ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:18-25, John 19:34

Denomination: Baptist

When Man Tried To Become Like God Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Feb 20, 2024

In this sermon series we are comparing the early chapters of Genesis with the late chapters in John. In this sermon, we explore how the Fall happened because man wanted to become like God and salvation happened because God was willing to become a man.

THE TEMPTION IN THE FALL: Satan told Adam and Eve that they could become like God. - Genesis 3:5. SIDE NOTE: This was also the issue in Satan’s fall. - Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; 1 Timothy 3:6. - His pride and desire to lift himself up. - Look up Isaiah 14:12-14. THE GREAT REVERSAL: ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-5, John 19:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

What Do I Do With My Shame? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 8, 2024

This sermon looks at the connection between the "garment" that God used to cover Adam and Eve's sin and the "garment" that was gambled for at Jesus' crucifixion.

AN AGE-OLD QUESTION: What do I do with my shame? - We’ve all done things we are not proud of. We have all sinned. How do we deal with the shame that comes from that? - It’s an ancient problem that has troubled people since pretty much the beginning of time. - This morning I want to again look at ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7, Genesis 3:21-22, John 19:23-24

Denomination: Baptist

A Job Description For God’s Messenger Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 11, 2024

Some truths about some of the challenging aspects of trying to be a messenger for God.

A Job Description for God’s Messengers: - I’m going to keep this broad and include all of us who are called to share the good news of Christ. There would also be an avenue for preaching this sermon as the call of a preacher but I think the truths here are good for us in general. 1. We speak what ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Thick Skin Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Mar 13, 2024

This peculiar passage gives us a poignant picture of the need for tenacity and determination in the face of opposition to the message of God.

THAT'S A SURPRISE: Sometimes God needs His people to be hardheaded. - Ezekiel 3:8-9. - This passage continues the ideas we discussed in the last sermon about God’s messengers. It had a warning from God that the Israelites claimed to be God’s people but they weren’t listening to what God had ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 3:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

When There Is No One To Stand In The Gap Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 18, 2024

God makes a stunning statement here: there is no one left to stand in the gap on behalf of Israel. What does this passage tell us about the specific shortcomings of the people of God and the prophets of God in that day? And can this text encourage us today to stand strong amid a dark hour?

OFF-TRACK: The American church is far from what we should be. - I think this is largely beyond dispute, so I won’t belabor the point. - Let me simply share one proof that I think is instructive. - When you look at the early chapters of Acts, there are many people who are coming to know Jesus. The ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:17-31

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Unjust To Ask Such A Sacrifice Of Ezekiel And His Wife? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Nov 20, 2024

The tragic death of Ezekiel's wife is caused by God as a sign for Israel. Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice?

WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS? Is God unjust to ask such a sacrifice of Ezekiel and his wife? - Ezekiel 24:15-27. - This is just a tough passage, but it’s one that points us to an important truth that often gets overlooked in the American church. Let’s start by unpacking this passage and then we’ll ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 24:15-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Thanksgiving

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Nov 27, 2024

As Christians, we walk in the beauty and glory of God's great love and mercy in Christ. What better reason could there ever be to thank God with all of our hearts, and with our very lives themselves?

"The Great Thanksgiving" Psalm 100 I once heard a pastor tell the story in a sermon of something that happened when he was visiting his brother in Florida. While there they decided to go deep-sea fishing on his brother’s boat. But after they were several miles out at sea and well out ...read more

A Biography Of Satan Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 13, 2025

This passage is one of the major Biblical passages in giving us information about Satan. What do we learn about him here?

- This is considered one of the major Biblical passages in giving us details about Satan. Of course, it is written to the king of Tyre but the details (which we’ll unpack in the sermon) give ample reason to think this passage has two meanings. - The first is a straightforward prophecy about the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

A Little Too Eager For The End Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 14, 2025

Sometimes we look at the evil in the world and cry out, "Lord, come quickly!" What are some things we need to consider, though, before issuing that cry?

EAGER FOR THE END: One important Biblical prayer is “Lord, come quickly!” - Revelation 22:20. - The KJV has this verse as “come quickly.” What is the meaning there? We live in a world of heartache and turmoil. In many times down through the centuries the church has been under severe persecution. ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 30:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

When We Decide Evangelism Isn’t For Us To Do Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Jan 22, 2025

This is a passage about a watchman. The analogy fits with our responsibility today to share the Good News. Unfortunately, that's a responsibility we often neglect.

OPTIONAL? Many Christians do not see evangelism as a responsibility. - Ezekiel 33:1-11; Matthew 28:16-20. - [Unpack the responsibility to share but not the “blood on our hands” part.] - Unpack the passage and the responsibility that is put on the watchman. Explain the watchman analogy in that ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

When Do We Take Pleasure In The Death Of The Wicked? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Oct 21, 2024

A look at the ways we have allowed the culture war to make us hate those God called us to love as well as put secondary things first.

- [Maybe put this made-up passage up on the screen or in the sermon outline.] - Imagine that there is a Romans 17. (I’m not going heretical here - this is just a thought experiment with a point.) Imagine that at the end of Paul’s letter he shared some additional advice. - Let’s say that Romans 17 ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 18:23

Denomination: Baptist