Sermons on Jim:

Do Our Loved Ones Know What's Happening To Us Now? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 1, 2003

This message explores the difficult question of whether those in heaven can still see what’s going on here on earth.

There is a romantic notion of those in heaven “looking over the balcony rail of heaven” and watching over us throughout our lives. Is that a biblical notion? The Bible does not address the question directly, but this morning I want to examine some of the relevant passages to answer this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:6-8

Denomination: Baptist

What's The Difference Between Heaven And The New Jerusalem? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 1, 2003

This message explores the unique and important place that the New Jerusalem holds in our future as Christians.

What’s the difference between heaven and the New Jerusalem? THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS: 1. Are heaven and the New Jerusalem the same thing? - Answer: “No.” - Revelation 21:2 indicates that they are different, since it speaks of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. The New ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

The Place Of Faith

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 4, 2003

Faith consists of risk, offers a reward, requires action, and is the way of acceptance.

Football season is upon us as we enter the final month of summer 2003. Soon the days will grow cooler, the night will come earlier, and the clothes will cover more of us rather than less. Already the pundits are making their predictions regarding the best teams in the high school and college polls ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Church Of God

A Return To Eden

Contributed by Jim Kane on Sep 4, 2003

God will bring our lives back to perfection!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2015) (Powerpoints used with this message are available at no charge. Just email me at mnewland@sstelco.com and request #332.) Years ago, when our children were small, I learned a lot about being a parent. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-27

Denomination: Church Of God

And Who Is My Enemy?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

How do I love my enemy?

In a recent column in Leadership Weekly, Gordon MacDonald, a retired pastor and editor at large for Leadership, a journal for pastors, reflected on a comment from Louis Berkhof who said, "God does not want us as objects but as covenant partners, partners who can converse. He desires our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:43-47

Denomination: Church Of God

How's It Going To End?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 7, 2004

Questions about life and death

Having just returned from 6 days of vacation that included three different hotels (and rides on 6 different roller coasters in two different amusement parks) I can relate to Stephan Brown’s comments about packing and unpacking while on vacation. He says, “some people when they go on vacation, they ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:8

Denomination: Church Of God

What Happens When Revival Really Comes

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

A look at the diffence between real revival and man-made "revival meetings."

Starting Point: Revival only happens when the fire of God falls from heaven. - v. 38. - I didn’t know how exactly to share this passage, then it occurred to me that what’s in this passage serves as an example for us of a real revival. - too often, we call something a revival that isn’t really ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:38-44

Denomination: Baptist

The Number One Condition Of Answered Prayer

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

What is the condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned the most? It’s the necessity of faith.

- The condition of answered prayer that Jesus mentioned most often was faith/notice how many times faith and belief are mentioned in vv. 22, 23, 24. How Much Faith Do We Have? 1. Are you surprised when an answer to prayer comes? - v. 21. - “One of the terrible marks of the diseased state of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 11:12-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Holding Onto A Good Thing

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

Why do we hold onto the good news of what Jesus has done for us instead of sharing it with others in need?

The Path We’ve Trod: - each of these is both true of the lepers and of us in our spiritual pilgrimage. 1. Desperation leads to decision. - vv. 3-4. - they had nothing to lose/they just wanted to live. - they were sick, separated, and starving. 2. God does a miracle at the moment of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 7:3-16

Denomination: Baptist

When You've Done Something You Swore You'd Never Do

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 24, 2004

This passage deals with a horrible sin committed by people who I’m sure didn’t think they could ever sink that low. What does God have to say to those in our congregations who’ve done things that they never thought they would?

- I was going to skip this passage, because, to be honest, it’s disgusting/I’m not saying it isn’t inspired Scripture, I’m not saying that it didn’t happen, I’m just saying that it’s disgusting. - not all of Scripture is pleasant to read. - but God opened up to me a message from within this ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Following The Captain

Contributed by Jim Wright on Aug 25, 2004

This passages shows us how to follow the Captain of our salvation as He leads us to the completion of our glourious salvation in the world to come.

Hebrews 2:5-13 Following the Captain of our Salvation Introduction 1. This year as part of our vacation we planned a camping trip to Sudbury to see Science North (the northern version of Ontario Science Centre) and to experience family camping along the way. 2. Our destiny was Science North, but ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Is God Fair?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

– Life is not fair. God is. – Philip Yancey (Disappointment With God)

I like the comment that I recently read which said, “If you tell a man that there are 568,678,934,341 stars in the universe, he’ll believe you. But if a sign says, “Fresh Paint,” he has to make a personal investigation.” Certain things in life create questions that move us to “personal ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

How Do I Accept Forgiveness

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about forgiveness and growth in grace are answered.

(As I begin this morning, I am letting you know that I will be making an invitation to come forward to the altar at the conclusion of the sermon.) In our text for this morning, many people are in a desperate place and only Jesus can truly save them. The woman who is dragged before Jesus and ...read more

Scripture: John 8:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Jim Kane on Aug 31, 2004

Questions about our life purpose are asked and answered.

I begin this morning with a question, “Are you a why, a what or a how person?” What people ask: What do I need to do next? What do I need to do to get this job done? What do I need to do to get to this person to notice me? What can I do to get more people to church? What can I say to so and so to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:12-34

Denomination: Church Of God

Gifts From A Child - Pt 1

Contributed by Jim Kane on Jan 14, 2004

Two gifts that kids give us are priorities and purpose.

(Overhead 1) Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby are right, “Kids do say the darnest things.” We never know what they are going to say and sometimes they say the most insightful, amazing, and even somewhat shocking things, especially this time of year when it comes to Jesus and the manger. In his book, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-38

Denomination: Church Of God